In Dagestan, archaeologists have discovered the oldest human settlement on the territory of Russia. The sites of the primitive man who lived here about 2 million years ago were named Ainikab, Mukhkai and Gegalashur.
They belong to the earliest epoch of human history - the "Oldovan" period. Finds of this time have never been recorded in Russia before, so at the moment these are the most ancient human settlements on the territory of the country.
The sites are located on a plateau at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Scientists have discovered here an extraordinary thickness of deposits that preserve the imprints of human activity - as much as 80 meters, as well as an unprecedented number of cultural layers - more than 35. According to Russian archaeologist Khizri Amirkhanov, the lower part of the cultural layers dates back to about 1.95 million years.
In the ground, archaeologists have found traces of fireplaces, bones of animals taken from hunting, and numerous stone tools. Basically, the local inhabitants used a stone chopping tool - a chopper, as well as various flint knives, scrapers and punctures. The camps were temporary dwellings where small groups, supposedly 15-20 people, lived, hunting for food, gathering edible roots, plants and wild fruits.
The remains of the people who inhabited this territory have not yet been found. However, according to some signs, scientists believe that this could be the ancestor of modern humans - Homo erectus (Homo erectus).
Among the surprising discoveries were the bones of a giraffe, elephant, antelope and hyena - animals that are not found in mountainous regions. Scientists have yet to solve this riddle.
Antelope Skull
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