Investigation of the paleolithic occurrence of Kurchum (Southern Altai) in 2016

The Joint Russian-Kazakhstan expedition of IAET SB RAS and National Museum of Republic of Kazakhstan investigated the Paleolithic occurrence of Kurchum near the Bukhtarma reservoir. It was able to plot the topography of site in detail, closely characterize geomorphology, determine the boundaries of the occurrence and collect the archaeological assemblage during the survey. Geomorphology, technological typological character and preservation of the artifacts evidence that surface complexes correspond to the broad chronological range from the Lower to Upper Paleolithic. 3 km apart from the Kurchum occurrence the new Kuigan site was found in the similar geomorphological situation. Artifacts of Late Paleolithic character were found on the surface and associated with the outcrops of high-quality chert.