UDC 902.01 Samara State Pedagogical University 59 M. Gorky St., Samara, 443099, Russia E-mail:vibornov_kin@mail.ru NEW DATA ON RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY OF NEOLITHIC CERAMICS IN THE VOLGA-KAMA REGION* Radiocarbon dating of ceramics from Neolithic sites of the Volga-Kam'ya suggests that the most ancient sites - the first half of the VI millennium BC - are located in the Northern Caspian region. At the same time, the Neolithic culture developed in the south of the forest-steppe zone of the Volga-Ural interfluve. Somewhat later (the second half of the VI millennium BC), settlements appeared in the Lower Volga region. As a result of the interaction of steppe and forest-steppe cultures at the beginning of the fifth millennium BC, a ring-shaped tradition was formed in the Middle Volga region, which continued its development until the beginning of the fourth millennium BC. From the middle of the fifth millennium BC, a toothed-combed system of ornamentation appeared in both the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Volga region and in the forest Volga-Kamye. In the south, it exists until the middle of the IV millennium BC, and in the north - until the end of the IV millennium BC. Introduction On the territory of the Volga-Kama region, researchers have recorded several Neolithic cultures. O. N. Bader distinguished the Kama culture in the Upper and Middle Kama region (see figure). Its vessels are made of clay with an admixture of chamotte, on the inner side of the corolla - an influx, the bottom is rounded. The ornament was applied with a jagged stamp over the entire surface of the vessel. One of the most common patterns is the walking comb. The chronological framework of the Kama culture is from the middle of the fourth to the middle of the third millennium BC (Bader, 1973, pp. 99-106). In the forest zone of the Middle Volga region and in the Lower Kama region, A. Kh. Khalikov identified the Volga-Kama Neolithic culture (see figure). Its early stage of development (no later than the ... Read more