Morpho-Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, and Radiocarbon Chronology of Suyanggae Sites, Focusing on Loc. VI, South Korea

We reconstruct the processes of sedimentation at the Suyanggae Paleolithic sites, geomorphologically characterized by fluvial terraces in the Namhan River, the base level of which is higher than the present river bottom. The fluvial sedimentary deposits, slope deposits, and paleosols are the main units of surficial deposits, constituting the site materials of Suyanggae Loc. VI. According to the representative profiles of the site, the deposits comprise sands and gravel at the bottom part, while sands and flooding muds with occasional intercalations of reddish-brown slope muds, as well as rounded or subangular cobbles or boulders, dominate the middle to upper part. Regarding the terrace's morpho-stratigraphy, Suyanggae Loc. VI is located above the low (second) fluvial terrace. Considering the chronology of site material formations, Suyanggae Loc. VI was formed in the last glacial period. On the basis of radiocarbon dates obtained for the charcoals from Suyanggae Loc. VI, the age of cultural layers is determined. Cultural layer 2 was formed in the late Upper Paleolithic, and CL 3 and CL 4 are associated with the early Upper Paleolithic. The archaeological assemblage of Suyanggae Loc. VI is described: lithic artifacts of CL 2 are characterized by abundant microblades (ca 20 ka BP, Last Glacial Maximum), while those of CL 3 and CL 4 are associated with tanged points and blades (36-42 ka BP, middle of the last glacial period). Especially noted are a line-engraved cobble stone excavated from the sedimentary matrix of fluvial origin, and a face-engraved pebble stone found in flooding muds. The finds are interpreted as manifestation of symbolic human behavior.