Problems of the Upper Paleolithic in the foothills of the Northern Tien Shan: latest discoveries and perspectives

Introduction. This work is devoted to the assessment of Upper Paleolithic sites Northern Tien Shan. Materials and methods. Plains foothills Kazakhstan occupies a large western part Central Asia stretches from Caspian Sea in west Altai Mountains east. There are many sites, vast majority which open-air (surface) sites. Recently several multilayer have been discovered Among them Maibulak, Rakhat, Uzynagash 1–3, Saryzhazyk some others. The studied intermittently since 2004. A new research phase began 2018. Results discussion. located similar geomorphological conditions. cultural layers nested loess-like loams covering northern Zailiysky Alatau Range. Most interpreted as habitation levels with preserved hearths, burn spots, charcoal storage pits. Accumulations lithic artefacts sometimes animal bone remains tightly linked those features layers. an interdisciplinary research. Conclusion. chronology these covers Early Paleolithic, Middle Palaeolithic beginning Late Paleolithic. development Shan took place within framework single vector, characteristic for Eurasia. horizons Aurignation-like, Gravettian-like industries, well culture geometric microliths (scalene triangles). At same time, industries show considerable originality. Further aimed at studying classification, typology collections their correlation each other.