Like the incredible site of Mal’ta in Siberia, which was the subject of my last video, the Kostenki-Borshchevo archaeological complex in Russia is another incredible prehistoric site that deserves our attention.
Situated on the western bank of the Don River in the Khokholsky District of Russia, the area consists of 26 Paleolithic sites, Kostenki 1 to 21 and Borshchevo 1-5 and finds go back more than 40,000 years ago.
Pre-Pottery Neolithic Anatolia, including sites like Göbekli Tepe, is a difficult subject to understand by itself, and when presented without a Paleolithic backstory it seems almost miraculous. But this backstory is critical in our understanding of the development of human civilisations.
That's why I've been researching key Paleolithic sites, whose decendents could well have influenced the origins of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic and being situated around 1,000 miles to the north of Göbekli Tepe, in modern-day Russia, Kostenki is an important site of interest.
It's arguably the most incredible Paleolithic site in the world, with large mammoth houses, many intricately-carved Venus figurines, scores of decorative objects, stone and bone tools, human burials and more.
There is evidence of occupation at Kostenki from before 40,000 years ago to around 20,000 years ago and the finds are truly breathtaking, especially because of their age. Watch this video to learn more!