The Biface Made of Quartzite from Pekari Village: A Case Study Using 3D Modelling
Oleksandr Naumenko, Serhii Ryzhov · Arheologia · 2025
An important task of the Palaeolithic studies of Ukraine is the search for new Palaeolithic sites for a more in-depth understanding of this area’s settlement. One of the promising regions for the implementation of this direction is Kaniv. This area is known for several rather ancient Palaeolithic sites and localities. In this paper, we present a find of a bifacial quartzite tool from survey works in the south-eastern vicinity of the Pekari village, namely, from alluvial deposits uncovered during the construction of the filtration fields of the water treatment facilities in the Kaniv city (Cherkasy Oblast). In addition to the usual procedure of artefact studying and interpreting, we also use a 3D modelling approach to reveal some aspects of the item’s manufacture. The biface is made of local medium-grained grey quartzite. The surface of the artefact is covered with a brown patina with isolated black spots and luster. This level of post-depositional modifications is associated with staying in the floodplain and alluvial conditions. The biface has a triangular asymmetrical outline, elongated and rather thick. There are no signs of following a specific shaping rhythm on the item (for example, bifacial alternating or bifacial continuous), each removal determined the next according to the idea of the final form. The retouching of the edges is quite isolated, presented mainly on a flatter surface. We created a 3D model based on photographs within SfM photogrammetry for cross-sectional analysis. The angle and morphology of the bevel are rather variable depending on the area. However, all these data indicate purposefulness in the convergent morphology shaping. The biface has few analogues in Central Ukraine. The closest one is a quartzite biface from the Micoquian Kaniv locality. We propose to attribute the artefact broadly and determine its belonging to the Middle Palaeolithic industries. Such a position may be clarified with the expansion of the source base. It is worth emphasising the importance of this find. The biface is another signal of the settling of the Kaniv Dnipro region by carriers of early industries, and the need for comprehensive geoarchaeological surveys in this area.