Purpose is to present a description of the complex of archaeological sites associated with the palace complex of the Nanyue kingdom, and thereby emphasize the importance of regional centers in the formation of Chinese civilization and attract the attention to understudied topics.
Results. The palace district in the capital of the Nanyue kingdom was located on the territory of Yuexiu district in Guangzhou, covering an area of approx. 400 000 sq. m. The complex included the remains of various buildings, household and waist pits, wells, a palace park with a pond and an artificial meandering stream. The nature of some earlier finds remains unclear (stilt dwellings or shipbuilding workshop). The palace complex was built no earlier than the 170s BC and existed until the fall of Nanyue in 111 BC. The palace park is one of the oldest monuments of landscape art in China; it probably served not only as a place for recreation and entertainment, but also as a space for ritual ceremonies.
Conclusion. In matters of organizing the space of the palace district, the Nanyue elites were guided by the standards adopted in the capitals of the Qin and Han empires, adapting them to local conditions. The studied archaeological complexes demonstrate a high level of production technologies, urban planning and landscape art. One of the most promising areas of research is the analysis of the semantics of the spatial organization and architectural objects of the palace park.

Purpose. Complete review of current status of research in paleogeographic settings and evolution of the archaeological industries in the North-Eastern Caucasus during the Bakunian stage of the Caspian Sea Quaternary history.
Results. The Bakunian stage is recognized to be a part of the Middle Pleistocene in the Quaternary chronostratigraphy of the Caspian Sea region and dated 0.8–0.4 Ma. In the early stages of the Bakunian major transformation in the composition of landscapes and animal communities occurred, being associated with general cooling resulting an increase in natural land zoning. Further progressive climate change towards cooling led to the disappearance of a large number of thermophilic species from the fauna and flora. This time in the North-Eastern Caucasus corresponds to the Tiraspol faunistic complex, and in the later stages a complex of cave predator fauna (cave lion, cave hyena, etc.) emerges in the region. Archaeological industries of that time (Darvagchay-1, Darvagchay-Zaliv-4, etc.) demonstrates the eradication of the small-tool tradition and the reorientation of stone tool processing towards systemic knapping. More diverse usage of raw materials is identified in the archaeological record. In primary technology, these assemblages are characterized by parallel unifacial knapping and the presence of the few radial/discoid cores. Tool kits include bifaces and choppers, with predominance of single-edged side-scrapers on flakes and pebbles, and denticulate, notched and spikelike tools. There are practically no pointes. Through time a significant percentage of the small-tool component remains, but its contribution gradually decreases. These industries should be considered as a local type in the stone tool production evolution, which is in the general Caucasian trend of the spread of Early Paleolithic industries with bifaces.
Conclusion. The Early Paleolithic of Dagestan from the first half of the Middle Pleistocene is identified as a local variant of the final Early Paleolithic industries of the Caucasus, bringing together the Early Paleolithic small-tool industry with the Acheulian complexes of the western part of Eurasia and combining their individual elements.

Purpose. For the Central Asian territories, only the discovery of a burial from Teshik-Tash has an indisputable connection with the Neanderthal population confirmed by genetic studies. In this situation, it is important to fully characterize the technological repertoire of this hominin species through a detailed study of the lithic industry of TeshikTash. One of the parts of the Teshik-Tash collection, kept in the collections of the Kunstkamera (St. Petersburg, Russia), was previously analyzed. Observations regarding the operation of radial and disc-shaped cores at the late stages of utilization, as well as the identified features in the morphology of points, again identified the problem of the presence / absence of the Levallois component in the Teshik-Tash industry.
Materials and Methods. Attributive analysis was chosen as a research tool, which was previously applied to the collection from the Kunstkamera. It allows reconstructing the entire “operational chain” of knapping lithic raw materials at the site and identifying the technological features of the production of different types of blanks.
Results. The performed analysis allows identifying some features of the knapping technology in the Teshik-Tash industry, such as: the dominant knapping system is centripetal; the using of Levallois technology is recorded in the one core; a method of shaping the core front by creating a rib at the base and using lateral spalls; a case of the volumetric concept of knapping has been identified; the strategies used in the industry resulted in a low standardized product; the rare design of percussion platforms and their reduction. The tool kit is characterized by the using of cores as the tools; the presence of two groups of “special purpose” tools; the irregularly retouched flakes as a background tool category; the presence of truncated and truncated-faceted pieces.
Discussion. The knapping approach was quite flexible, and this implies the possibility of switching from one model to another at different stages of core utilization. For this reason, some cores fall into the “grey zone” between radial, discoid, and Levallois types. At the same time, the Levallois technique occupies a clearly subordinate position in the industry, was extremely rarely used in the early stages of core utilization, and had almost no effect on the overall appearance of blanks. For this reason, we believe that Levallois technique should be considered as a one of the significant characteristics of the Teshik-Tash industry with great caution, as well as direct analogies with the new Middle Paleolithic complexes of the Tien Shan low mountains.
Conclusion. The processing of the Teshik-Tash collection made it possible to fix the dominance of the centripetal model of lithic knapping, the use of which is imprinted in the morphology of products of all main categories. At the same time, a number of artifacts point to the existence of technological variability in lithic production in the industry, both at the stage of making blanks (the use of sub-wedge-shaped and volumetric cores) and at the stage of designing tools (truncated-faceted products). These circumstances expand our understanding of the behavioral characteristics of the Neanderthals who lived in the west of Central Asia.

Purpose. Despite a long study, the problem of the Okunevo population origin remains unresolved, including the level of participation of autochthonous and possible migrant groups in the formation of its genetic composition. The purpose of this article is to obtain new data on the mitochondrial DNA diversity in the Okunevo population, in particular in a series of samples from the Syda V burial ground, and also to interpret these new paleogenetic results in the light of possible mechanisms for the formation of specific features of the Okunevo gene pool.
Results. We successfully analyzed structure, phylogeny and phylogeography of 25 new mitochondrial DNA samples from the burial grounds of the Okunevo culture of the Minusinsk basin. The study made it possible to almost double the total number of successfully studied Okunevo mtDNA samples. The series of samples we studied from the Syda V burial ground (N = 23) is the first high representative local-territorial series of mtDNA samples for the Okunev population of the region. The new results and literature data are discussed in the context of the problem of the formation of the Okunevo population`s genetic composition and its role in the further genetic history of the southern regions of Siberia.
Conclusion. The main role in the formation of the Okunev population were played by genetic elements of autochthonous origin associated with the aboriginal pre-Afanasievo groups. Possible role of migrants remains unclear and requires further research using paleogenetic methods.

Purpose. Barsova Gora is a unique archaeological and landscape site located in the Tyumen Region (West Siberia) of the Russian Federation. The source base for the study consists of the ceramics vessels of the Barsovo culture from the following archaeological sites: Barsova Gora I/50 (20 vessels), Barsova Gora I/43 (8 vessels), Barsova Gora III/4 (10 vessels), and Bartsevka IV (15 vessels). The aim of the study is to reconstruct the pottery production stages of the Barsovo culture by the Barsova Gora archaeological sites.
Results. It has been established that ferruginized natural clays were used for the vessels production at all the analyzed archaeological settlements. It was revealed that at the archaeological sites of Barsova Gora I/50, Barsova Gora I/43, and Bartsevka IV several clay pots were used by potters. On the archaeological sites of Barsova Gora I/50, Barsova Gora I/43, and Barsova Gora III/4 the main recipe for clay paste is clay + chamotte. In the Bartsevka IV archaeological settlement the dominant recipe for clay paste is clay + chamotte + organic solution. The use of various organic solutions was recorded at this site. At all the archaeological sites, the construction of the vessels beginning was carried out according to the bottom-capacitive program; the design of the vessels body was carried out using patchwork molding on the form-base. Mainly mechanical smoothing with various tools processed the vessels surfaces at the archaeological sites of Barsova Gora I /50, Barsova Gora I /43, and Bartsevka IV. At the Barsova Gora III/4 site, burnishing of vessels surfaces was used more frequently than at other analyzed sites. At all the archaeological sites, the vessels could be fired in two modes: in a reducing and reducing-oxidizing environment.
Conclusion. The similarity in the skills of making vessels, processing the vessels surfaces, and firing modes makes it possible to assume a commonality of traditions of the population that left the sites in question. Pottery traditions are especially close to each other at the Barsova Gora I/50, Barsova Gora I/43, and Barsova Gora III/4 sites. The pottery of the Bartsevka IV site stands out. Various organic solutions were often added to it. This picture may reflect the existence on Barsova Gora of two close groups of the Barsovo culture, differing in individual pottery skills, or a chronological difference between the sites.

Purpose. The results of archaeological survey in 2021 along the western shore of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir in the Koksa Bay area are presented in the process of field research. Previously unknown cultural and historical objects were revealed – a quarry on Mount Bol’shoi Togurtag, presumably of medieval times, and mounds in the form of rounded stone objects at the foot of the mountain 1 250 m from the Koksa bay.
Results. The material extracted from the quarry was used in the construction of these mounds, located at the foot of the mountain. This assumption is evidenced by a similar type of rock in the quarry and on the mounds (they are of magmatic origin). Previously, similar objects for this territory were not mentioned in the scientific literature. Is the technological originality in stone processing techniques evidence of the migration to this territory of any mobile group of the population from the outside, where such technology was traditional? For example, medieval Kyrgyz kurgans in the Usinsk valley of the Western Sayan, where there are many rocks of igneous origin, are similar to them in their appearance and composition of the building material. Therefore, it is logical to assume that here, on the Middle Yenisei, some group of “Usintsy” migrated, which was quite likely as part of the process of returning to their homeland of the Yenisei Kyrgyz after the Great Power era. An exhaustive answer to this question can be given in the future only after an archaeological study of the rounded stone structures located here, similar to medieval “сhaatas” and “suukter” mounds, but composed, as indicated, of material of magmatic origin, unusual for this territory, in the form of large and medium-sized blocks of “torn” forms.
Conclusion. The quarry on Bol’shoi Togurtag Mount demonstrates more labor-intensive process of obtaining stone material in comparison even with the extraction of “slabs” from layers of Devonian sandstone for the construction of mounds of the Tagar culture. All of the above and determines the originality of this object among those known in Khakassia. In this regard, their further study seems to be very relevant and expedient for the formation of a complete picture of the origin of medieval archaeological sites on the left bank of the Yenisei.

Purpose. An analysis of the collection of iron weapons of the Kyrgyz warrior and the equipment of his riding horse showed that they come from a burial made according to the cremation rite. Items of horse equipment are: a bit with a hook method of connecting links and cheek-pieces in the form of large rings; two arched stirrups with holes in the upper part of the shackle and 10 lamellar overlays for a wooden saddle.
Results. The weapons consist of 13 flat arrowheads and a saber, which was bend during the funeral rite. Saber length is 0.85 m, blade width is 3.2 cm, and weight is 568 grams. The guard is in the form of a rook; on one side of it, cruciform figures are applied. At the guard on the blade there is a figured clip. The bend of the blade is 1.7 cm, which makes it possible to attribute the saber to slightly curved samples. At the end of the shank, there is a hole for attaching the handle. Probably, the handle was made of solid wood, with a through hole and a prominent head at the end. The saber’s feature is the offset of the handle to the back of the blade, which is found on Caucasian (Circassian) checkers.
Conclusion. The whole complex of objects has numerous analogies and dates back to the Mongolian period (13^th – 14^th centuries). During this period, there were several migrations of the Yenisei Kyrgyz to the territory of Mongolia and Manchuria.

Purpose. To reveal the cultural composition of the Muroma tribe at different stages of its history, two aspects of research of the pottery were included: the traditions of making specific shapes and preparation of pottery paste.
Results. Analysis of the shapes of 679 vessels from the Muroma burial grounds allowed us to distinguish three traditions of shaping. The first shape dominates at the early and middle stages and represents the original cultural core of the Muroma. The second shape marks the spread of the population of another culture in the Muroma area. The analysis of the pottery pastes of 137 vessels from Podbolotevo burial ground has shown that Muroma pottery developed as a result of contacts between potters with different skills, such as tempering clay (C) with crushed rock (CR) and chamotte (Ch). For Muroma of a middle stage such mixed recipe of pottery paste as C + CR + Ch + Org is typical. At the later stage, the tradition of C + Ch + Org begins to dominate in the Muroma, and the addition of crushed rock almost disappears. A comparison of the data on the shapes of the vessels and the pottery pastes from which they were made distinguished a connection between the first shape tradition and the C + CR + Ch + Org recipe, and the second tradition – with the C + Ch + Org recipe.
Conclusion. Both aspects of pottery technology allow reconstruct a whole picture of a quick change in the Muroma cultural composition at the late stage. This change was associated with the influx of the new population.

Purpose. Archaeological complexes of Altai dated by the Great Migration Period indicate a high level of militarization of nomads. According to available materials, most of the male population was involved in the military activities. In the materials of individual necropolises, burials with a representative composition of weapons are distinguished, which confirm the hierarchy among the soldiers. The article presents one of such extraordinary burials and its interpretation in the context of contemporary ideas of the ethnocultural and social history of the Altai nomads.
Results. The authors concern the features of ritual practice and the complex of finds revealed during the excavation of mound no. 39 of the Karban-I necropolis, located in Northern Altai. The recorded characteristics indicate that the object belongs to the Bulan-Koby archaeological culture. Morphological analysis of weapons, equipment, tools and their comparison with materials from the complexes of Central Asia became the basis for determining the dating of the object in the framework of the 2^nd – 3^rd centuries AD.
Conclusion. It has been established that the burial of kurgan no. 39 belongs to the Karban tradition, which has become widespread among the population of the Bulan-Koby culture in the Northern Altai. According to the composition of the inventory, the deceased man was a professional warrior. In addition, there is some reason to believe that he has a skill in carpentry. During his lifetime, this person belonged to a prosperous stratum of ordinary pastoralists who left the Karban I necropolis and other synchronous sites of Northern Altai.

Purpose. The article presents a new reading of the inscriptions on two nominal knives found on the coast of Sims Bay in the Laptev Sea. The results of the reading are differs from the readings of paleographers and researchers published earlier. It was possible to give a correct reading of these inscriptions due to the use of the non-contact 3D modeling method developed by the RSSDA Laboratory and used in the Code of Russian Inscriptions (CRI).
Results. The reading of the inscriptions on the nominal knives proposed by the authors of this article made it possible to establish their belonging to Gury (baptismal name) – Akaky (prayer? name) Ivanov's son Karzyaev, the likely head of the commercial and industrial expedition in the 20s of the 17^th century. The site of polar sailors of the 17^th century in the Sims Bay is located in 70 km to the west from the Thaddeus the North island, where in 1940 members of the hydrographic detachment of the East Taimyr hydrographic expedition found similar finds, including 8 other knives. Unfortunately, these knives have only partially preserved handles, and most turned out to be represented only by blades. Inscriptions filled with Slavic script could be found only on two knives from a hut in Sims Bay.
Conclusion. According to the official version, both finds belong to the members of the Russian trade and industrial expedition in the 17^th century. The rich composition of the archaeological artifacts collected at these two locations makes this site of Russian culture of the 17^th century unique.

Purpose. The authors tried to reveal the reasons, duration and place of temporary preservation of the bodies of the Kazakhs on the basis of archaeological, historical and folklore-literary sources. The authors also tried to trace the historical continuity in the funeral and memorial rites of nomads.
Results. The tradition of delayed burials is associated with the natural conditions and economic cycle of nomads. Based on ethnographic data, the authors analyze various options for preserving the body before burial. According to it, the practice of performing deferred burials originates from the period of early nomads of the Eurasian steppes. Archaeological materials contain evidence of the usage of deferred burials of notable individuals among the Turks. The article also discusses the special veneration of ancestors, which can also be traced in the funeral rites of early nomads. The large burial mounds were build in their honor, and they were buried in clothes adorned with gold, with a large quantity of supporting equipment. The funeral and memorial rites of the nomadic Kazakh people also include the veneration of ancestral spirits. They tried to bury their khans, batyrs and biys in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. And to do this, they had to temporarily bury the body and save it until burial.
Conclusion. Islam brought changes in the funeral rites of the steppe population. However, the Kazakh people tried to preserve the traditions that do not contradict the Sharia, in some cases without changes, in others, some customs were transformed in accordance with the norms and teachings of Islam. The Kazakhs managed to unite the two worlds, and for a life of peace and prosperity, with the blessing of aruakh, arranged memorial dinners on the third, seventh, fortieth day, the annual “as”, sacrifices, but in many traditions and customs, the reading of prayers from the Koran was introduced.