page 5–15 RUS
https://doi.org/10.20874/2071-0437-2026-73-2-1
ÓÄÊ 902.03 EDN: CGKUBO
Features of human occupation along the Sosva and Tavda rivers during the Paleolithic Age (Northern Transurals)
Yuriy B., Serikov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher, Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University, Nizhny Tagil, Russia, u.b.serikov@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3158-7460
Summary
The Tavda River is formed by the confluence of the Sosva and Lozva rivers, which allows these waterways to be regarded as a single hydrological complex. An initial attempt to occupy the banks of the Tavda River occurred 25–27 thousand years ago. Small groups of Paleolithic populations established a presence in the upper reaches of the Tavda, as evidenced by short-term sites. At one such site, Boltushevo, an ornamented mammoth rib was disco-vered, while stone and bone tools were found at two additional sites: Linty and Rublevo. However, no long-term settlements have been identified in the area. This is most likely attributable to the specific topographical and hydrological features of the Tavda River. Considering the connectivity of regional waterways — including the Irtysh, Tobol, and Tavda rivers — it is plausible to assume that the southern part of Western Siberia served as the initial point of resettlement for that group. Approximately 10 thousand years later (16–19 thousand years ago), a subsequent group of Paleolithic hunters appeared along the banks of the Sosva River. The chosen settlement was situated featured a convenient coastal area, flanked on both sides by deep ravines. One kilometer away, a high hill offered a clear view of the surrounding landscape. Behind the hill, there was a gravel bed containing suitable mineral raw materials. Several short-term sites have been identified within a day's walking distance (20–25 km). A comparative analysis of the artifact assemblages from the Sosva and Tavda sites with those from reliable short-term sites in the Ural region supports the interpretation that these represent similar types of temporary occupation. The predominance of jasper as the primary raw material at the Garinskoye settlement (56 %), coupled with a distinctive method of core processing that is known from the sites in the Southern Urals, provides compelling evidence to suggest that the Paleolithic settlement of the Sosva River banks originated from populations migrating from that region.
Keywords: Paleolithic, Urals, Sosva, Tavda, settlements, short-term sites.
© Serikov Yu.B., 2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Received 09.10.2025
Accepted 02.03.2026
Article is published: 15.06.2026
Funding.
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