Obzor verkhnego paleolita Moldavii

The existing in Moldova Aurignacian industries of the lamellar type are represented by the stone collections of two kinds: with leaf-shaped points and backed points with a concave edge. Together with this the Corpach IV industry which includes backed points (segments) must have been related to Gravette. Other industries should not be considered separately and apparently can be grouped under the title "industries de type Paléolithique supérieur ancien à pointes foliacées". They are supposed to spring from the Middle Palaeolithic industries with leaf-shaped pieces (from Micoquian of Central Europe), that were further developed in the Aurignacian direction. If the Aurignacian of Moldova has evidently a foreign origin, then the Gravette traditions go back to some related centers. It is reflected in the compatibilty of backed pieces and leaf-shaped points in one and the same industry, dated back to the early stage of the Upper Palaeolithic. It is clearly seen in the collections of lower layers of Molodova V where homogeneousness of the complex is evident starting with the tenth layer. The appearance of some new types of tools (for instance, shouldered points) in the upper layers of this site does not fail the general stability and the cultural originality of the industry.