The article presents the results of studying the pottery complex of the Loginov Khutor settlement, one of the earliest sites of the Pozdnyakovo archaeological culture of the Late Bronze Age. The study is based on historical and cultural approach and includes an analysis of the external (shapes and ornamentation of vessels) and internal (some aspects of technology) culture of pottery making. The study of pottery technology comprises the cultural traditions of the preparatory stage of production (analysis of clay raw materials and paste materials). As a result, the authors identified three groups of pottery traditions, two of which belonged to populations of different origins. Group I is associated with the early stage of the Pozdnyakovo culture, while group II - with the Timber-grave cultural and historical community. The third group of pottery traditions developed as a result of cultural contacts between the bearers of group I and group II traditions.

The article focuses on the economic model of settlements with net-impressed ("textile") ceramics of the Bronze Age in the Volga-Oka interfluve based on the investigation of fats in organic residues on vessel fragments with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry methods (GC-MS). Samples for analysis come from reference sites, as well as from a settlement of a different cultural tradition for comparison. A total of 47 samples from 43 vessels were analyzed. Based on the data on the composition of fatty acids of modern products, the groups available for identification were determined. It was found that the same vessels were used for cooking food of different groups. The results obtained made it possible to confirm the decisive role of hunting and fishing for the economy of settlements with "textile" pottery.

Fragments of ceramics are one of the most common finds during archaeological excavations. Determining the use of ceramic vessels is important for understanding the daily life of ancient societies. The identification of food debris on the surface of earthen vessels provides valuable information on the ways they were used and the food habits of ancient people. Using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method the oxidation products of vegetable oils and animal fats have been investigated and it has been shown that in the process of oxidative destruction of the multiple bond of fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids are formed, which are biomarkers of the original fats in the residues on ancient ceramics. One of the main products of fish oil oxidation is dicarboxylic succinic acid, which can serve as a biomarker of fish residues on ancient ceramics. To clarify the attribution of ancient clay vessels, 63 samples of organic remains from the surface of ceramic fragments from archaeological sites were examined. Succinic acid was found in the remains on the fragments of 26 ancient vessels, which served as evidence of their use for cooking from fish products.

Древности Восточной Европы, Центральной Азии и Южной Сибири в контексте связей и взаимодействий в евразийском культурном пространстве (новые данные и концепции) Antiquities of East Europe, South Asia and South Siberia in the context of connections and interactions within the Eurasian cultural space (new data and concepts) К

The study of the economic system of the earliest nomads which inhabited the Eurasian desert-steppe belt in 5000-2000 is a relevant task of contemporary studies. The data on the organization of living space and the role of social groups of early prehistoric pastoralists in the exploitation of open steppe resources are scarce. The paper presents a new methodological approach to searching camps of the earliest pastoralists. The application of this approach enabled the archaeologists to discover numerous seasonal camps in the Sal-Manych Ridge located in the western part of the Eurasian steppes, including Eneolithic camps dated to 4200-3600 BC. The study of the occupation layers at the sites, evaluation of the productivity of pasture systems made it possible to categorize such sites as short-term seasonal camps occupied by pastoralists, evaluate the role of social groups in the organization of innovative seasonal migrations and reconstruct their subsistence system. The camps emerged as a result of developing pastoral economic strategy in the Lower Don region and the abutting areas reflecting the role of special social groups of pastoralists who managed to organize seasonal moves and address the issue of exploiting pastures located beyond the permanently occupied area.

The study of the economic system of the earliest nomads which inhabited the Eurasian desert-steppe belt in 5000-2000 is a relevant task of contemporary studies. The data on the organization of living space and the role of social groups of early prehistoric pastoralists in the exploitation of open steppe resources are scarce. The paper presents a new methodological approach to searching camps of the earliest pastoralists. The application of this approach enabled the archaeologists to discover numerous seasonal camps in the Sal-Manych Ridge located in the western part of the Eurasian steppes, including Eneolithic camps dated to 4200-3600 BC. The study of the occupation layers at the sites, evaluation of the productivity of pasture systems made it possible to categorize such sites as short-term seasonal camps occupied by pastoralists, evaluate the role of social groups in the organization of innovative seasonal migrations and reconstruct their subsistence system. The camps emerged as a result of developing pastoral economic strategy in the Lower Don region and the abutting areas reflecting the role of special social groups of pastoralists who managed to organize seasonal moves and address the issue of exploiting pastures located beyond the permanently occupied area.

Variations of 87Sr/86Sr ratios in different natural objects make it possible to obtain new data having great importance for the identification of the possible place of origin and migration routes of ancient humans. The discussed data were obtained from contemporary snail samples inhabiting the landscapes of the eastern Caucasus, which is characterized by different parent rocks. It has been found that the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in samples originating from landscapes with rocks of the same type are generally the same, while those in samples originating from landscapes distinguished by the character of underlying rocks vary to a significant degree.