The Middle and Upper Paleolithic Bone Tools from South Chamber of Denisova Cave

Excavations undertaken in the upper portion of the Pleistocene deposits from South Chamber of Denisova Cave yielded a set of bone tools in association with numerous stone artifacts. The Middle Palaeolithic layer 12 revealed bone retouchers and a retouched bone fragment. Along with lightly modified bone tools such as retouchers and retouched pieces, Layer 11 has yielded such stone tools as a point, a needle, a polisher and a tool blank, all attributed to the early Upper Palaeolithic. The obtained archaeological record has made it possible to reconstruct technologies of manufacturing lightly and significantly modified bone tools. Use-wear analysis of the point, needle and polisher has shown clear signs of usage and a range of deformation features associated with utilization.