Afontova Gora
The Yenisey River cuts through south-central Siberia, marking the location of Afontova Gora. This Late Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic complex sits on the left bank near Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Ivan Savenkov first excavated the site in 1884 at what is now known as Afontova Gora III. Mining activities disturbed this specific layer during the late 1880s. The cultural and genetic links to Mal'ta, Buret' people define the region's early history. Five or more distinct campsites make up the broader archaeological complex today.
Afontova Gora II contains seven stratigraphic layers that hold the most significant evidence. Layer 3 produced over 20,000 artifacts including 450 tools and 250 osseous items. These bone, antler, and ivory objects date back thousands of years before the present. Researchers found remains of mammoth, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, reindeer, bison, and horse at the site. A canid tibia from a different location measures 16,900 years old but has since been lost. The skull was once described as belonging to a dog outside the range of Pleistocene wolves.
V.I. Gromov began excavating Afontova Gora II between 1912 and 1914. In 1924, G.P. Sosnovsky, N.K. Auerbach, and V.I. Gromov discovered the first human fossils there. Two individuals known as AG2 and AG3 were stored in the Hermitage Museum for decades. AG2 dates to around 17,000 BP with a range of 16,930-16,490 BP. A salvage excavation in 2014 revealed new remains before bridge construction over the Yenesei River. This later find included an adult female atlas and a teenage girl's mandible with five lower teeth.
Researchers visited the Hermitage Museum in 2009 to extract DNA from the humerus of Afontova Gora 2. Despite significant contamination they succeeded in obtaining low coverage genomes. The analysis confirmed the individual was male and showed close genetic affinities to Mal'ta 1. Around 1.9-2.7% of his genome originated from Neanderthals. His Y-DNA haplogroup Q1a1-F746 is infrequently observed in modern populations. Later work on Afontova Gora 3 yielded higher coverage genomes from one of her teeth. That female belonged to mitochondrial Haplogroup R1b with 2.9-3.7% Neanderthal ancestry.
A 2021 genetic study found that Tarim mummies were primarily descended from a population represented by AG3. The genetic profile of Afontova Gora 3 accounted for about 72% of their ancestry. The remaining 28% came from Early Bronze Age Baikal populations. These Holocene populations derive most of their ancestry from Ancient North Eurasians despite being separated by roughly 14,000 years. They are considered the best representatives of the Mal'ta and Afontova Gora populations due
to this high affinity.
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Common questions
Where is the Afontova Gora archaeological site located?
The Afontova Gora complex sits on the left bank of the Yenisey River near Krasnoyarsk, Russia. This Late Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic culture occupies south-central Siberia.
When did Ivan Savenkov first excavate the Afontova Gora III site?
Ivan Savenkov first excavated the site in 1884 at what is now known as Afontova Gora III. Mining activities disturbed this specific layer during the late 1880s.
What human fossils were discovered at Afontova Gora II between 1912 and 1914?
G.P. Sosnovsky, N.K. Auerbach, and V.I. Gromov discovered the first human fossils there in 1924 after beginning work in 1912. Two individuals known as AG2 and AG3 were stored in the Hermitage Museum for decades.
How old are the artifacts found in Layer 3 of Afontova Gora II?
Layer 3 produced over 20,000 artifacts including 450 tools and 250 osseous items that date back thousands of years before the present. These bone, antler, and ivory objects represent a significant portion of the cultural evidence.
Which population do Tarim mummies primarily descend from according to the 2021 genetic study?
A 2021 genetic study found that Tarim mummies were primarily descended from a population represented by AG3. The genetic profile of Afontova Gora 3 accounted for about 72% of their ancestry.