What is Kostenki?

Updated March 08, 2017 Kostenki refers to a complex of open-air archaeological sites located in the Pokrovsky Valley of Russia, on the west bank of the Don River, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Moscow and 40 km (25 mi) south of the city of Voronezh, Russia.

Where is Kostenki 14?

A foggy August morning in the Don river valley. Kostenki 14 is part of the Kostenki-Borshevo site complex on the Don river (Figure above), one of the more important Upper Palaeolithic site-complexes of Europe. The deposits at Kostenki 14 have provided rich archaeological assemblages and important palaeoclimatological/-environmental datasets.

How deep are the Kostenki sites?

The Kostenki sites lie deeply buried (between 10-20 meters [30-60 feet]) beneath the modern surface. The sites were buried by alluvium which was deposited by the Don River and its tributaries beginning at least 50,000 years ago.

What is the Kostenki-Borshevo site complex?

Kostenki 14 is part of the Kostenki-Borshevo site complex on the Don river (Figure above), one of the more important Upper Palaeolithic site-complexes of Europe. The deposits at Kostenki 14 have provided rich archaeological assemblages and important palaeoclimatological/-environmental datasets.