Fourth and fifth seasons of the Nubian Archaeological and Anthropological Expedition of the Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov Moscow State University at the Sites of Deraheib and Onib (the Republic of Sudan). Part I. Survey
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia, Krol Alexei A. ,   Paleoethnology Research Center, Novaja Ploshchad, 12, 5, Moscow, 109012, Russia, Simonenko Anton A. ,   Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulyanova str., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russia,   State Historical Museum, Red Square, 1, Moscow, 109012, Russia, Tsyganov Andrey N. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia, Petrova Natalia Yu. ,   Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulyanova str., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russia, Ershova Victoria B. ,   Institute of Earth Science, St. Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia,   Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 7 Pyzhevski Lane, 109017 Moscow, Russia, Kandinov Mikhail N. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia, Mazei Natalia G. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Leninskie Gory str., 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia, Pastukhova Yuliya A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia, Chulei Artemii D. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia, Mazei Yuri A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The Nubian expedition of the Lomonosov MSU carried out survey in the Onib Depression in December 2022. The survey revealed several surface scatters and two stone age sites Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop. Materials and methods. The materials for the article were artifacts (stone tools and debitage, fragments of ceramics) discovered at the surface scatters and sites as well as samples for OSL dating, loss-on-ignition and pollen analysis taken from sites. For comparison, we used stone tools discovered by the Nubian expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1961-1963. The artifacts found at the sites were documented (marked on a map, photographed and described). Several samples for OSL dating were taken at both sites. Sample preparation and gamma spectrometry, as well as OSL measurements, were conducted by standard methods. Analysis of the decoration of ceramic fragments found at the Onib-1 site was carried out. Also, based on the prepared thin sections, a technological and petroglyphic analyses of the obtained fragments were carried out. Samples were taken from different layers of the sites Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop to determine the content of organic residues and spore-pollen analysis. Sample preparation and analysis were carried out following the standard procedures. Results and Discussion. Analysis of the finds made at the sites indicates that the entire Wadi al-Allaqi region from the Red Sea Mountains to the Nile Valley was inhabited during the Neolithic period. OSL dating for Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop sites indicates that the sedimentary deposits were formed during the Neolithic Subpluvial. These data are also confirmed by the results of ceramic analysis. The layers in which the ceramic fragments were found can be dated back to the 3rd millennium BC. Petrographic analysis of thin sections of ceramics from Onib-1 site indicates the use of local material for the manufacturing of ceramics. The results of loss on ignition analysis did not reveal a sufficient content of organic residues for a comprehensive paleoecological study that overall indicates unfavorable conditions for the accumulation of organic matter in the studied deposits. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate high prospects of continuing field research in the Onib Depression aimed at discovering and excavating Neolithic sites. @ 2023. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license