nnovative Seasonal Migrations and Subsistence System of the Mobile Pastoralists of the Desert-Steppe Zone of Eurasia:role of social groups

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

Age structure and slaughter seasons of reindeer in the economic activity of the population of the Nadym town in the VII-XVIII centuries

Проведено исследование возрастного состава и сезона забоя северного оленя в хозяйственной деятельности 17-18 вв.Nadym is a town in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, located on the Nadym River. This work describes the results of determination of age composition and seasons of reindeer slaughter at the end of the XVI — the beginning of the XVIII century. Determination of these parameters is based on analysis of growth layers in teeth of reindeer as well as on analysis of the dental system. It was shown that people slaughtered reindeer mainly in the autumn (October-November). It can be traced in ritual activity as well as in economic activity. Fewer reindeer were killed in summer months. Probably the population was living in the town mainly from autumn to mid-spring. Every summer most of the population left the settlement with reindeer herds and went to the north of the tundra. Probably for food purposes people killed reindeer aged from 1 to 4. For ritual purposes people killed animals aged from six months to 1 year. There were few animals aged from 4 to 8. Perhaps reindeer over the age of 4 were used for transport purposes. The prevalence of certain age groups among the slaughtered animals indicates that the population of the Nadym town at the end of the XVI century had quite numerous domestic reindeer herd