Age of the Upper Paleolithic sites in Kapova and Ignatievskaya caves (Southern Ural): revision and interpretations of the radiocarbon dates

A critical analysis of radiocarbon dates from the Upper Paleolithic sites of Kapova (Shulgan-Tash) and Ignatievskaya (Yamazy-Tash) caves in Southern Ural reveals widespread inaccuracies in their reporting, leading to significant misinterpretations of paleoclimatic contexts. The study re-evaluates 17 radiocarbon dates from Kapova cave—including 14 Upper Paleolithic, 2 Bronze Age, and 1 modern—and 9 dates from Ignatievskaya cave (6 from cultural layers and 3 from black paintings). Findings highlight that the incorrect use of non-calibrated dates shifts the perceived occupation timeline from the late Last Glacial Maximum to the Bølling-Allerød interstadial, altering our understanding of human activity during this period. The research underscores the necessity for precise and complete reporting of radiocarbon data to avoid such errors in future interpretations.

Dublyansky, Y. V., & Shirokov, V. N. (2020). Age of the Upper Paleolithic sites in Kapova and Ignatievskaya caves (Southern Ural): revision and interpretations of the radiocarbon dates. Vestnik Arheologii, Antropologii I Etnografii, (3 (50)), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.20874/2071-0437-2020-50-3-1