Tolbaga is an archaeological site, located south of Lake Baikal, on the right bank of the Khilok river.[1] It was excavated by Okladnikov circa 1970. The site is dated from bones to 34,860 ± 2100 BP and 27,210 ± 300 BP.[1]

Tolbaga
Tolbaga, sculpted head of a bear, c. 34,860 BP[1]
Tolbaga is located in Continental Asia
Tolbaga
Location in Continental Asia
Tolbaga is located in Russia
Tolbaga
Tolbaga (Russia)
Coordinates51°30′N 108°30′E / 51.5°N 108.5°E / 51.5; 108.5
History
Founded34,000–27,000 BP cal
PeriodsPaleolithic

The site is especially known for a three-dimensional naturalistic sculpture of an animal head (probably a bear), carved from the projection of the second vertebra of a woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis). The sculpture has microscopic toolmarks, indicating that it was made with stone tools.[1] The date of the sculpture is probably 34,860 ± 2100 BP, which who place it among the earliest known example of naturalistic sculpture in the world.[1]

Tolbaga (18) is part of a distributional pattern of the sites with different techno-complexes and the estimated technological transmission route between Mongolia-Siberia and northern China between 50 and 32 cal ka BP.
1: Okladnikov Cave; 2: Strashnaya cave; 3: Denisova Cave; 4: Ust Karakol; 5: Kara-Tenesh; 6: Tongtiandong; 7: Mokhovo-2; 8: Kharganyn Gol-5; 9: Orkhon-1; 10: Jinsitai; 11: Sanlongdong cave; 12: Kara-Bom; 13: Luotuoshi; 14: Chikhen Agui; 15: Tsagaan Agui; 16: Voenny Hospital; 17: Kamenka; 18: Tolbaga; 19: Tolbar-4; 20: Nwya Devu; 21: Lenghu; 22: Yushuwan; 23: Lenghu-.1; 24: Shuidonggou-2; 25: Changweigou; 26: ZS08; 27: Wulanmulun; 28: Longquandong; 29: Zhijidong; 30: Fangjiagou; 31: Zhaozhuang; 32: Laonainaimiao; 33: Xiachuan (Fuyuhe); 34: Xibaimaying; 35: Xigouwan; 36: Xiaogushan; 37: Mingyuegou; 38: Zhoujiayoufang; 39: Guxiangtun; 40: Zhalainuoer; 41: Shiyu; 42: Zhoukoudian Upper Cave.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Bednarik, Robert G. (2013). "Pleistocene Palaeoart of Asia" (PDF). Arts. 2 (2): 50. doi:10.3390/arts2020046.
  2. ^ Zhao, Chao; Wang, Youping; Walden, John P. (3 November 2022). "Diachronic shifts in lithic technological transmission between the eastern Eurasian Steppe and northern China in the Late Pleistocene". PLOS ONE. 17 (11): e0275162. Bibcode:2022PLoSO..1775162Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0275162. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 9632798. PMID 36327263.   This article incorporates text by Zhao Chao available under the CC BY 4.0 license.