New Data for Asymmetric Core Reduction in Western Tian Shan Piedmonts: The Ertash Sai 2 Open-Air Site

This study describes a multi-proxy approach toward a newly discovered open-air loess site, Ertash Sai 2, located in the western piedmonts of the Tian Shan in Uzbekistan. Technological analyzes enabled the identification of an asymmetric core reduction scheme accompanied by a Levallois-like predetermined knapping scheme, along with the production of truncated-faceted pieces and burin-cores. Moreover, the results show a direct relationship between the presence of truncated-faceted pieces or burin-cores and both core reduction schemes, as long as truncated-faceted pieces were mostly produced from debordant blades and flakes. Chronostratigraphic studies enabled the precise chronology of the assemblage to be determined as 68-57 ka BP. This raises questions about the origins of traits usually associated with the Initial Upper Palaeolithic in Central Asia and their roots in local Levallois-based assemblages.