Archeologists as part of the Northern Taiga Expedition have discovered Stone Age dwellings near the Sugmut oil- and gas-bearing field on Yamal, Arctic-Info news agency reported. The artifacts are about 6,000 years old and are of immense scientific value, experts said.

The site contains over 100 artifacts. Ancient dwellings are partial dug-outs with a fireplace, around which are the stone shards of working and hunting remnants from that era. The artifacts will be sent to a laboratory to be studied.

The Northern Taiga Expedition was launched in the 1990s, at the same time as the development of the Sugmut field. This year, about 20 people are working in the expedition, which excavates ancient human settlement sites. The project is financed by the government of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area as part of the regional Scientific and Archeological Development Program. Archeologists also receive support from the Center for Arctic Studies.