Archaeological rescue work has been completed in the area of the construction of a bypass road around Usolye-Sibirskoye. The work was carried out at the “Malta-Most-3” site. Its surface is 40 thousand square meters. Archaeologists have been excavating there for four years.

Anastasia Kuptsova, Head of the Archeology Department of the Irkutsk Region Cultural Heritage Protection Service:

Due to the fact that the site fell into the highway construction zone, it was necessary to provide for the full preservation of the artifacts. The only possible option was the archaeological rescue work: excavation works involving the complete removal of archaeological material for the purpose of its further study.

Archaeologists of Irkutsk State University were chosen to perform these works by the project owner. In four years at Malta-Most-3, they have raised 180 thousand artifacts.

Ekaterina Lipnina, Director of ISU Research Center “Baikal region”:

Four levels have been identified at this site. At the bottom, the age of the finds has been preliminarily determined as 28-35 thousand years from our days. The upper levels contain finds from 12-14 thousand years ago. That means at least 14 thousand years have passed between the upper and lower levels. If this is measured in generations, it will turn out to be on an unimaginable scale.

The collection of artifacts found during the construction of the Usolye-Sibirskoye bypass highway will be registered with the state museum fund. Storage is planned to be provided by Irkutsk State University. The materials will be used both for scientific purposes and for provision to the country’s museums.

Irkutsk Region Cultural Heritage Protection Service has accepted security signs at the last site. They are installed along the boundaries of the territory of the archaeological site and are necessary to limit future construction and any other ground activities in this area.