Microscopic examination of Mesolithic serpent-like sculptured stones from southern Ukraine

Abstract

Two ophidian sculptured stones have been recovered from Mesolithic stratigraphic units at the site of Kamyana Mohyla 1 in southern Ukraine. Microscopic examination revealed traces of shaping and intentional ornamentation on the stones when compared to experimentally worked sandstones of similar quality. The finds broaden the distribution of movable rock art objects in the European Mesolithic.