Definition: The Middle and Upper Paleolithic site of Molodova is located on the Dniester River in the Chernovtsy province of the Ukraine. The site includes two Middle Paleolithic Mousterian components, Molodova I (> 44,000 BP) and Molodova V (between about 43,000 to 45,000 years ago). Core reduction strategies appear to include Levallois or be transitional to Levallois, including points, simple side scrapers and retouched blades. Moldova V has a specialized tool kit dated to the Upper Paleolithic (29,000-28,000 years ago), called Molodovan, including symmetrical dihedral burins on blades, endscrapers, single and double tipped points and backed bladelets.
The most important feature of the site is a mammoth bone dwelling, a large hut constructed of wood and mammoth skulls, and dated to the Middle Paleolithic at Molodova V. The hut had 15 internal hearths; and among the excavated materials were carved wood and bone. The Mousterian occupation at Molodova at Molodova V also contains some of the earliest portable art, in the shape of wood and ivory carvings, including a figurine head.
The site was excavated by A.P. Chernysch between 1950 and 1961, although detailed site information has only recently become available.
The most important feature of the site is a mammoth bone dwelling, a large hut constructed of wood and mammoth skulls, and dated to the Middle Paleolithic at Molodova V. The hut had 15 internal hearths; and among the excavated materials were carved wood and bone. The Mousterian occupation at Molodova at Molodova V also contains some of the earliest portable art, in the shape of wood and ivory carvings, including a figurine head.
The site was excavated by A.P. Chernysch between 1950 and 1961, although detailed site information has only recently become available.
Sources
Meignen, L., J.-M. Genest, L. Koulakovsaia, and A. Sytnik. 2004. Koulichivka and its place in the Middle-Upper Paleolithic transition in eastern Europe. Chapter 4 in The Early Upper Paleolithic Beyond Western Europe, P.J. Brantingham, S.L. Kuhn, and K. W. Kerry, eds. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Vishnyatsky, L.B. and P.E. Nehoroshev. 2004. The beginning of the Upper Paleolithic on the Russian Plain. Chapter 6 in The Early Upper Paleolithic Beyond Western Europe, P.J. Brantingham, S.L. Kuhn, and K. W. Kerry, eds. University of California Press, Berkeley.
