Nice and Oval: Early Upper Paleolithic Bifaces from IVb Cultural Layer of Kostenki 14

Kostenki 14 cultural layer IVb, dated to 40-41.5 ka cal BP, represents one of the earliest manifestations of Anatomically Modern Humans in Eastern Europe. Its lithic assemblage shares traits with the Protoaurignacian and Aurignacian sensu lato but includes distinctive oval plano-convex and bi-convex bifaces, complicating its interpretation. Our study focuses on the production and utilization of bifaces. We conclude that, with a few exceptions, these pieces - previously thought to be tools - are primarily blade and bladelet core preforms. Based on the provided description of blade and bladelet production methods in the assemblage, it is also suggested that burin busqu & eacute; and the burin de Vachons previously considered 'specific' to the assemblage are, in fact, typical carinated burins that represent minor deviations from the main bladelet production sequence. New interpretation of bifacial pieces reveals a stronger similarity between the Kostenki 14 IVb assemblage and other Protoaurignacian/Early Aurignacian sites in Europe.