Taymazov A.I.

Key words: Lower Palaeolithic, Eopleistocene, stone tools: choppers, pikes, polyhedrons
Ainikab 1 is an extraordinary site in relation to its date and the culture it represents. Geological and geomorphological data, palynological studies and paleomagnetic testing unequivocally point to Early Pleistocene (Eopleistocene), indicating the age of the site as being within the range of 1.8 – 1.2 mln years ago. The archaeological remains, represented by stone tools and faunal remains (layers 10, 11 of excavation site 1) lie in 12 lithologic layers of excavation site 1 and in 6 layers of excavation trench 2. The overall depth of the loose strata in the investigated area is slightly over 12 m from the present-day ground surface. At present, a segment of 1.8 m at the depth of 3 to 4.8 m from the top of the hill-shaped elevation remains unexcavated. The technical and typological features indicate that the industry at the site is typical Oldowan.