The North-West Archaeological Expedition of the State Hermitage Museum has successfully excavated piled Stone Age settlements in the valley of the Serteyka River in the Smolensk Region, where valuable bone and amber jewellery was found. This is reported by the Hermitage’s official
website.

Among the significant finds of the season are a pendant made from a boar’s tusk and a breast ornament for men discovered in the cultural layer of the settlement of Serteya II, dating from 5-4 thousand years B.C.E. An anthropomorphic figure made of flint was also discovered, similar finds in this region have not been seen before.

Now scientists have to establish the purpose of the figurine: whether it was used as a pendant, amulet or had another purpose. There is also an opinion that the piece could have been unfinished, which would suggest local production of such artefacts.

According to Andrey Mazurkevich, head of the expedition, the new finds provide interesting data on trade relations of the local population and the cultural influence of steppe and forest-steppe cultures of Eastern Europe. 

The researchers note that with the carriers of these cultures came the material culture: pottery, bone and horn products.

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