GEOARCHAEOLOGY OF THE HAGHTANAKH 3 SITE, NORTHERN ARMENIA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Field pedology of this Lower Paleolithic archaeological site reveals a series of paleosols spanning a depth of 4 m. This geoarchaeological assessment is part of the Lori Depression Paleoanthropology Project, an interdisciplinary effort to increase our understanding of Paleolithic adaptations in this region.

Cultural materials at Haghtanakh 3 lie within the deep soils of a volcanic bluff near the Debed River. Work included mapping of the bluff and detailed description and sampling of soil profiles in an archaeological excavation trench. We described five profiles of increasing depth for color, texture, structure, and horizonation. Profile sampling included bulk soil and pedogenic gypsum masses for laboratory analysis. The volcanic bluff and neighboring drainage we mapped with differential GPS comprise approximately 46000 m². This area was previously mined for gypsum, resulting in a relatively uneven surface due to the presence of small mining pits.

Soil laboratory analyses will address the bulk mineralogy and chemistry of the deposits, the flow of water across and through the bluff, and the physical and chemical interaction of the sizable soil precipitate deposits and the Lower Paleolithic artifacts. We aim to address the landscape context and environment of archaeological occupation, as well as the potential for bone preservation. The excavation trench provided a combined soil profile of approximately 4 m depth. When coupled with planned chronometric, biophysical, and stable isotope analyses, this profile will serve as a detailed paleoclimate record likely spanning the last 1.8 Ma.