Pages: 69-90

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.

Keywords: Eurasian steppes, Lower Don region, Sal-Manych hill chain, Eneolithic, mobile pastoralism, arid landscapes, subsistence system, seasonality, rotation of pastures, social groups

Information about authors:

Natalia Shishlina (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. State Historical Museum. Red Square, 1, Moscow, 109012, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Evgenii Azarov (Moscow, Russian Federation). State Historical Museum. Red Square, 1, Moscow, 109012, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Tatiana Dyatlova (Moscow, Russian Federation). M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Lomonosov Ave., 27/4, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Natalia Roslyakova (Samara, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education. Maxim Gorky St., 65/67, Samara, 443099, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Olga Bachura (Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Institute for Ecology of Plants and Animals, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 8th March St., 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Johann van der Plicht (Groningen, Netherlands). PhD, Professor. Centre for Isotope Research, Groningen University. Nijenborgh 6 9747 AG, Groningen, Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]
Pavel Kalinin (Pushchino, Russian Federation). Candidate of Geological Sciences. Institute of physicochemical and biological problems in soil science of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Institutskaya St., 2, 142290, Pushchino, Pushchino municipal district, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Idris Idrisov (Makhachkala, Russian Federation). Candidate of Geographical Sciences. Institute of Geology, Dagestan Scientific Center, RAS. Yaragsky St., 75, Makhachkala, 367010, Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexander Borisov (Pushchino, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Institute of physicochemical and biological problems in soil science of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Institutskaya St., 2, 142290, Pushchino, Pushchino municipal district, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]