Methods Of Natural Sciences Research Articles

The social unit in self-organization and self-government of transforming Russia

This article considers the problem of the social from the perspective of human functioning in the context of developing self-organization and self-government in the society. The formation of the civil society in transforming Russia has been delayed largely due to the lack of developed subjectivity at both the individual and municipal levels. The weakness of civil initiatives reveals the reasons for the lack of demand for self-order, self-organization, and self-government in particular. The purpose of this article is to examine the role of the human being as a social unit in the processes of self-organization and self-government of transforming Russia. The author identifies three interpenetrating and complementary levels of existence in the system of social management, in accordance with their importance. These three levels are distinct in personifications and the maturity of the individual-personal, and they include the level of individual personality, the level of objective social communities, and the society-wide level. The results show that the institution of self-government is generated by social communications. Its social multi-factor nature is constantly influenced by both the society and the individual, as well as by objective factors of a non-anthropogenic nature. The author suggests using a social-synergetic approach for this problem. This approach to the study of social processes allows us to apply the methods of exact and natural sciences in addition to sociological and philosophical concepts and technologies, which results in a more detailed picture of social development. This article focuses on the local territorial community, which is a key link in social processes. The social as a whole is a universal reality that reveals the meaning of the unit of the society as an ultimate universal that personifies the activity of a certain type or group of public relations. The author concludes that the social unit in the processes of self-organization and self-government in Russian society is a person who represents the society in all the diversity of its hierarchy and social communications. According to the author, the positive experience of previous eras remains outside of management efforts. The asymmetry of development reproduces social contradictions in the fundamental spheres of life.

Ecology as a Way to Combine Knowledge about the Natural and Social in Human Being

The article considers the process of expanding the subject and methods of research in modern environmental science. It is shown how, following the traditional biological science of ecology, new directions of ecological knowledge arise under the influence of research activities: social ecology, anthropoecology. Knowledge about a human being is achieved through the use of both natural and human sciences. A great step in expanding the subject of modern ecology was the intensive formation of human ecology in recent years, in which the need for the formation of a unity of natural science and socio-humanitarian research methods was reflected most clearly. In contrast to biological ecology, in which the main focus of research was the principles of natural science research, in social ecology, socio-humanitarian issues become dominant, and in human ecology-the synthesis of natural science and socio-humanitarian approaches. It's time to abandon the progressive illusions of the past and move on to the awareness of the specifics of sustainable civilizational development at the present stage. This sustainable development presupposes the co-evolution of society and nature, such a co-development of society and nature, in which both components of this single system do not oppose each other, do not conflict, but organically presuppose each other in their combined, harmonious development. Thus, now acting as a unified science that studies the interaction of the central coreof the system and its environment, ecology sets new guidelines for understanding the organization of scientific knowledge, the mood of the modern world picture is falling. A promising way for ecology is to grow into a modern universal organizational science. But this is a distant prospect. However, even now, such a renewed ecology can provide much for Russia’s search for its modern civilizational path, clarifying the organization of scientific knowledge, specifying the contours of the modern scientific picture of the world.

Дослідження та експериментальне відтворення технологій мальованого посуду трипільської культури

Important components of the study of ancient technologies are their experimental reproduction and use of the methods of natural sciences. Information on the composition of raw materials, formulations of paints and angobs of painted pottery of Trypillian Culture of the Dnieper region gave the possibility to search for the evidences concerning its local origin, according to the researchers. An important component of the study is investigating the process of manufacturing the ceramics from local raw materials, as well as its firing in a pottery ciln built for this purpose. The obtained results allow us to consider quite reasonable previous assumptions about the possibility of local production of a wide range of painted hand-drawn utensils by the Trypillia population of the Dnieper region in the second half of the 4 millennium BC.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Ceramics from the Early Layers of the Zhabotyn Settlement

The results of a comprehensive analysis using the methods of natural sciences of the samples of handmade dishes from layers of VIII—mid—VII c. BC are shown. Pottery was found at the Zhabotyn settlement, which is dated from VII to the middle of VII c. BC. 50 samples of vessels of different types were selected. The following analytical methods were used: petrography, microtomography, electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The aim of this paper was to present the results obtained in the study of ceramics of the Zhabotyn 1 horizon using the methods of natural sciences and compare them with archaeological data. The research resulted in the identification of six technological groups (with subgroups), which reflect the archeometric characteristics of the molding mass of handmade ware of all kinds, which is found in the early layers of the settlement (Zhabotyn1 horizon). Comprehensive information about this collection is included in the Database, which was created by a team of authors. Conclusions: 1. The most common was ceramics made of two types of molding mass, in the plastic mass of which smectite (group 2.3) and illite (group 3) clays predominate. When degreasing, the masters used sand impurities (22—28%) (group 2) or combinations of impurities - sand, grog, and crushed rocks (group 3). The composition of these groups of vessels contains all types of polished and simple ware that are found at the settlement. Paste fillings in the ornamentation of vessels of these groups were almost never used. The exceptions are samples from two taverns of group 2 — 469 and 470, in the decoration of which pasta of recipe no. 1 is noticed. 2. The vessels of the group 1.1 (mainly smectite clay, admixtures — chamotte (12—23 %) and sand (15—35 %)) are represented exclusively by black-polished S-shaped ladles. All ornaments of such examples were polished with white paste of recipe no. 1 (quartz + quartzite + smectite + bone meal). We also used paste of recipe no. 2 (epidote + chlorite + smectite + pyroxene (powder). 3. The use of the archaeometric methods for studying the molding mass allowed refuting one of the ladle reconstructions (subgroup 2.4, Fig. 7; 11), which supposedly consisted of three fragments. Unfortunately, according to the composition of the molding material, all three fragments used in the reconstruction belong to different subgroups and cannot belong to the same vessel. 4. Group 4 samples (kaolinite and illite clays; admixtures: sand and crushed rocks) belonged to the vessels with high-quality orange polishing and a pot with two handles that have analogies among the Basarabi culture ceramics. The data of archaeometric studies confirmed the assumption of archaeologists about imported origin of these ware. 5. A comparison of some vessels with the materials of the steppe zone Scythian burials of the in the Northern Black Sea region indicates that some ware from the workshops of the Zhabotyn settlement came to the steppe nomadic population. 6. Thus, Matrix-Groups of Refiring analyses provide the view of vessels manufacturing process. Several production recipes for making handmade pottery have been identified. That is, the latter was produced in small workshops, within home production. Such an assumption has already been made by the authors on the basis of archaeological data. At present, it is confirmed and refined by the methods of natural sciences. 7. The Zhabotyn settlement is one of 12 settlements of the Late Bronze Age — Early Iron Age, samples of which were taken to create the Database. Each of these settlements has its own set of techniques and methods for making handmade pottery. Their combination creates a special, “appearance” of ceramic production of each settlement or hillfort. That is, the vessels are markedly different from the ceramics of other settlements in the region of study. It is important to note that the analysis of clays from the vicinity of the settlements also confirms the presence of ceramic production in place. This conclusion is especially important for comparing the materials of settlements with the materials of the pre-Scythian time burials, which, in the end, will allow us to draw certain conclusions in solving the problem of relations between the settled and nomadic peoples of the steppe zone in the Northern Black Sea region.

THROUGH THE PRIZM OF A NEW VISION. YURI BOLTRYK IN INTERNATIONAL ORIENTALIST PROJECTS

The article presents the role and activity of Dr. Yu. Boltryk in the researches of international projects which take place at the end of twentieth — at the beginning of twenty first century during the excavation of outstanding sites of Ottoman culture in the North Pontic region. It is especially important that the beginning of purposeful study of the Turkish cultural heritage in Ukraine was synchronous to creation of Ottoman archaeology as a special scientific direction. At the same time it was the period of formation of new vision on the historical process in Ukraine, as an independent state, freedom of minds and national development. The international projects enjoy the scholars of various countries: Great Britain, Canada, USA, Poland and Turkey. The works took place in outstanding site of medieval period — the Akkerman fortress. The main exploration were conducted in the Low yard where the bathhouse and barbican have been discovered. Complex of geophysical and other works on the base of methods of natural sciences escaped all yards of the fortress. Dr. Yu. Boltryk take one of the provision place in all kind of works with his ideas in methodic, theory and practice of archaeological exploration. During the last seasons of the fulfilment of projects the main attention of scholar was drown to the interdisciplinary works in the field of dendrochronology all together with professor T. Wazhny. Besides of it Dr. Yu. Boltryk took part in the excavation of the central part of historical city Ochakiv and the observation of remains of the fortress Kizikermen. His activity makes a significant contribution to the study of Ottoman period in the history of Ukraine and preservation of historical and archaeological sites.

Пам'ятки середнього палеоліту в околицях Маріямполя на Дністрі

Over many years of archaeological research a number of Middle Paleolithic sites have been discovered in the vicinity of Mariampil, including Bukivna IV, Bukivna V, Yezupil I, Kolodiiv, Mariampil I, Mariampil V and others. The site of Mariampil I was discovered in the 1920s by Yu. Polanski. Since then the site has not been researched, although it is quite promising from the point of view of the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic studies in the region. In 2014, the study of the site was renewed using a number of modern methods of natural sciences. The samples were taken from the section of the site. Samples were taken every 0.2 m from the loess horizons and every 0.1 m from the Horokhiv fossil pedocomplex for granulometric analysis, general chemical analyses (humus content, Fe2O3, CaCO3). A number of samples were also taken for absolute dating of the sediments (TL, OSL), palynological research, as well as from certain horizons of the Horokhiv fossil pedocomplex for micromorphological research and analysis of biomarkers. The history of research, the geological structure and the archaeological material of Mariampil I were highlighted in the article. The association of the oldest (fourth) cultural layer, which was found by Yu. Polanski and confirmed by our fieldwork in 2014–2015, with the eluvial horizon of Horokhiv fossil pedocomplex (MIS 5e) was determined. It was dated by the OSL method at 102+16 ka BP and it correlates well with the archaeological determination of the age of the artifacts. As a result of the research, a large amount of factual material was obtained concerning the structure of the Upper Pleistocene loess-soil sequence, whose thickness is over 17 m, which is abnormally high for the Halych-Dnister region. Information about two important stratified Middle Palaeolithic sites in Ivano-Frankivsk region is also given. This is a three-layer Palaeolithic site of Yezupil I of Tysmenytsia district and Mariampil V of Halych district, which by chronological position and cultural and technological tradition are analogues of Mariampil I. Numerous Middle Palaeolithic sites in the vicinity of Mariampil on the Dnister River indicate a quite powerful centre of the Neanderthal communities in this area. Key words: Mousterian, Micoquien, Upper Palaeolithic, loess-soil sequence, Halych-Dnister region.

Subsistence strategies on the late Mesolithic and early Neolithic lake settlement Zamostje 2 in Volga-Oka region: Evidence of fishing

Materials of the multilayer wetland site Zamostje 2 are key to study the human cultural history of the Volga-Oka interfluve in Central Russia due to the diversity and completeness of the material culture, on the one hand, and encompass large information potential of fragile organic remains preserved in the waterlogged conditions, on the other hand. The existence of the lake settlement in the broad framework of ca. 7000–4300 cal BC includes the period of distribution of the first ceramics and development of ceramic production among hunter-fisher-gatherers. The purpose of this paper to synthesize the data obtained by natural scientific methods on the reconstruction of the paleolandscape and animal and plant resources, as well as compare them with archaeological evidence of hunting and, in particular, fishing practices. New data from the fishing zone and geological structure of the microregion have been brought. This analysis creates a context for adaptation of various multidisciplinary studies and fuels discussions of paleoecological and cultural events characteristic for the Upper Volga region in the period under consideration.

Methods of Paleoecological Investigations: A Case Study of the Holocene Environmental Reconstruction

This work reconstructs changes in the Holocene paleolandscape, plants, and climate conditions of the Upper Kama Region based on integrated analysis of data collected through paleochannel, palynological, paleocarpological, and radiocarbon methods. The selection of these methods is determined from the objective to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions of human settling in this region. Parallel use of archeological and natural science methods has proved to deliver good results, while comparison of the findings revealed spatial patterns in the distribution of archeological sites of different ages and allowed detailed reconstructions of the Holocene paleoenvironment.

Investigating the diversity of scientific methods in high-stakes chemistry examinations in England

ABSTRACTThe traditional description of “the scientific method” as a stepwise, linear process of hypothesis testing through experimentation is a myth. Although the teaching and learning of the scientific method have been a curriculum and assessment goal, the notion of the ‘scientific method’ itself has been identified as being problematic. Many researchers have recognised there is no single scientific method. However, there does not seem to be any useful guidelines for how best to deal with the nature of scientific methods in school science, including in high-stakes summative assessment. The article presents the use of a framework to illustrate the diversity of scientific methods that goes beyond the traditional limitations of a scientific method, to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive account, including non-manipulative parameter measurements. The framework not only clarifies the definition of scientific methods but also is adapted as an analytical framework to trace how scientific methods are framed in high-stakes chemistry examination papers from three examination boards in England. Such analyses can potentially point to what is emphasised in chemistry lessons, given how instrumental high-stakes testing is for driving teaching and learning. Results from an empirical investigation of examination questions are presented, highlighting an imbalance in the representation of methods in chemistry tests.

Measuring, modeling, and managing systemic risk: the missing aspect of human agency

It is problematic to treat systemic risk as a merely technical problem that can be solved by natural-science methods and through biological and ecological analogies. There appears to be a discrepancy between understanding systemic risk from a natural-science perspective and the unresolved challenges that arise when humans with their initiatives and interactions are included in systemic-risk considerations. It is therefore necessary to investigate possible fundamental differences and similarities of systemic risk with and without accounting for human involvement. Focusing on applied and implementation aspects of measuring, modeling, and managing systemic risks, we identify three important and distinct features characterizing such fundamental differences: indetermination, indecision, and responsibility. We contend that, first, including human initiatives and interactions in systemic-risk considerations must emphasize a type of variability that is especially relevant in this context, namely the role of free will as a fundamental source of essential indetermination in human agency. Second, we postulate that collective indecision generated by mutual uncertainty often leads to the suspension or alteration of rules, procedures, scripts, and norms. Consequently, the associated systemic risks cannot be incorporated into explanatory models, as the new causal rules cannot be predicted and accounted for. Third, analogies from biology and ecology, especially the idea of ‘contagion,’ downplay human agency, and therefore human responsibility, promoting the false belief that systemic risk is a merely technical problem. For each of these three features, we provide recommendations for future directions and suggest how measuring, modeling, and managing approaches from the natural-science domain can best be applied in light of human agency.

El Método Científico de Galileo y sus Implicancias Culturales

This article presents the contributions of Galileo to modern science, especially that of definitively establishing the method of natural science, where not only observation is part of this knowledge but also experimentation, not using the essence of the things, but simply to study some properties, the use of mathematics, etc. It also indicates that cultural factors that favored the scientific process of this time contributed as the Greek and Christian faith in the rational order of the world, the rediscovery of Platonism and the Greek text mathematicians and finally the Christian faith in the creation of the world

EXPERIENCE OF USE OF THE RADIOCARBON METHOD DATING OF EARLY SLAVIC SITES FROM UKRAINE (1970—1987)

The introduction of radiocarbon dating method in USSR and Ukrainian archeology was much slower compared to world practice. Natural scientific methods of dating in archeology have found quick application for the study of prehistoric sites — from the Paleolithic to the late Bronze Age. Much more time passed before the method began to be used for dating of sites of the 1st and 2nd millennium AD.
 The initiative of serial sampling from the medieval archaeological complexes of Ukraine for radiocarbon analysis initially came not from archaeologists. This led at the first stage to a confrontation between traditional archaeological methods of analysis and the new «revolutionary» approaches of the natural sciences.
 In 1968 mathematician A. S. Buhai collected 63 samples of charcoal from different parts of the «Zmievi Valy» («Snake Ramparts») and hillforts of the Kyiv region. At least 34 results were obtained from 3 different laboratories. All results attributed the time of existence of fortifications not to the Middle Ages, but to the 2nd century BC — 7th century AD, what caused the emergence of the sensational concept of the Early Slavic state in the Middle Dnieper region long before the formation of the Old Rus’ state.
 Institute of Archaeology (Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR) has developed a big project for complex researches of these fortifications led by M. P. Kuchera. During 1974—1985, many fortifications of «Zmievi Valy» in different regions were studied archaeologically. The facts of overlapping of settlements of the 3th—7th centuries AD by ramparts as well as the presence of Old Rus’ artifacts of the 10th—13th centuries in the body of wooden and earth structures of ramparts were recorded. Stratigraphic and archaeological data confidently dated the ramparts to the Middle Ages, while 28 radiocarbon dates for samples, carefully selected from wooden constructions of fortifications, showed a chaotic spread of dates from the 24th century BC until the 14th century AD. The verdict of M. P. Kuchera on the possibility of using the radiocarbon dating method for the archeology of Middle Ages was naturally negative.
 Geologist L. V. Firsov faced a similar problems after collecting in 1970 of 57 samples from archaeological complexes of Chersonesos and 33 samples from other sites of Crimea. Believing in the high accuracy of the radiocarbon dating method, he tried to explain the wide scatter of radiocarbon dates from the same medieval objects by their existence for half a millennium, what was rejected by archaeologists.
 The Institute Archeology and the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Institute of Geochemistry and Mineral Physics af the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR managed joint project to get answers to the topical questions of Ukrainian archaeologists concerning the possibilities of the radiocarbon dating method in archeology. Two institutes approved a joint plan theme for 1973—1978 «Determination of the age of archeological sites by the natural scientific methods», for which a Coordination Council was established, led by D. Ya. Telegin and E. V. Sobotovich. According to the first report of the group, 237 samples were collected from various archaeological sites, for which 148 datings were successfully obtained (62.4 %).
 Cooperation continued further, but radiocarbon dates for archaeological cultures of the historical period from Ukraine had a little accuracy again on this stage of the radiocarbon method development (1974—1987). Thus, out of 31 examined medieval samples only 5 matched to archeological datings. 12 samples from sites of 6th — 10th centuries gave 7 dates, only 4 of them were in agreement with archaeological dating. For 12 samples from sites of Zarubyntsi and Chernyakhiv cultures 5 dates were received, and only one was in agreement with archaeological dating. The problem of the difference in these cases cannot be solved with the help of modern calibration of radiocarbon dates.
 After the complete fiasco of the initial stage of the radiocarbon dating of the medieval archaeological objects from Ukraine (1970—1973), a small step forward was made in 1974—1987. But this did not convince archaeologists in the rationality of using the method of radiocarbon dating for cultures with a wide choice of dating markers. The situation remained stable until the present stage of development of the accelerator mass spectrometry dating which makes again actual the renewal of the program of radiocarbon dating for the Early Slavic cultures of the 1st millennium AD.

Methods of Natural Sciences for the Reconstruction of the Ceramics Firing

The reconstruction of the Early Iron Age ceramics firing from the Northern Black Sea region is a part of the project`s tasks of studying the ceramics of mobile and sedentary communities in the region (early nomads and the forest-steppe population). The ceramics firing process and the content of mineral phases were determined by DTA-TG methods. Data are given on five samples from the settlements of Glinjeni II-La Shanz and Subotiv, as well as the burials of Kasperovka, Pryshyb and Velykodolynske. In the paper mineralogical and phase composition of ceramic samples are revealed. It is established that the analyzed samples were burned at a temperature not exceeding 650 °C.

Ernst Haeckel and the philosophy of sponges.

Nearly 150years ago, Ernst Haeckel published a three volume monograph on the calcareous sponges. These volumes contained the results of his extensive investigation of the anatomy, reproduction, and development of these marine invertebrate organisms. This paper discusses how Haeckel's contribution to spongiology was so distinct from that of earlier writers on the natural history of sponges, by focusing on his "philosophy of sponges." This included "an analytic" proof of Darwin's theory of descent, an argument for the monophyletic origin of the Metazoa from an ancient sponge-like embryo (the "gastraea theory"), and proof of the philosophy of monism that humans are no different than lowly sponges in their perfectly natural and material origins according to the laws of ontogeny in a universe devoid of supernatural beings or purpose. Haeckel was a philosopher using the methods of natural science. He was also a gifted artist-as his illustrations attest-and like most artists he disliked criticism of his creations, including his theoretical work. His observations and speculations regarding sponges (and certainly his more philosophical conclusions drawn therefrom) were andcontinue to be criticized, but as a review of the current literature shows, Haeckel's imprint on sponge biology is still very evident.

Monism and Particularism: Methodology in Brentano’s Psychology

The paper argues that Brentano was the exponent of a methodological monism, which is based on the requirement that science should be grounded on experience, and not on a speculative-idealistic principle, as in the case of German idealism. In Brentano’s psychological writings, this methodological requirement concretized in two different theses: (T1) The method of psychology is identical with the method of natural science; (T2) The method of psychology is inspired by the method of natural science. The thesis of this study is that an important part of Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint is elaborated in accordance with T1. By contrast, Brentano’s Descriptive Psychology illustrates the subsequent decision to give up this idea. In its place, the aforementioned requirement is elaborated in the spirit of a methodological particularism that recommends the scientist elaborate his methods according to the specificity of the phenomena under investigation and to the difficulties that need to be overcome when approaching them.

Эмпирические социальные исследования Карла Маркса

В 2018 г. отмечалось двухсотлетие со дня рождения Карла Маркса, который приобрел известность в социологии не как грамотный эмпирик, а как выдающийся теоретик. В статье отмечается, что идеи, понятия, проблемы, разрабатывавшиеся К. Марксом в философских, исторических, экономических, публицистических трудах, являются социологическими по сути и вносят вклад в развитие социологии как науки. К. Маркс одним из первых стал использовать эмпирические социальные исследования в теоретических работах. С точки зрения методологии он, подобно позитивистам, считал возможным использовать естественнонаучные методы в анализе общественных явлений. Еще в своих ранних публицистических работах 1842-1843 гг. К. Маркс изучал положение виноделов в долине реки Мозель, опираясь на анализ официальных документов, писем и результатов опроса. Важное значение в его работах имел анализ прессы и статистических материалов. Разработанная Марксом в 1880 г. «Анкета для рабочих» со всей очевидностью показывает, что он рассматривал статистику не только как средство выявления существующего положения в обществе, но и как инструмент его преобразования, необходимый, чтобы действовать с какими-то шансами на успех. «Анкета для рабочих», опубликованная в апреле 1880 г. во французском журнале «Социалистическое обозрение», представляет определенный интерес для эмпирической социологии. «Анкета» включала 99 вопросов, сгруппированных в четыре раздела: характеристика предприятия и условий труда, характеристика режима работы (рабочего времени, времени на дорогу от места работы до дома), порядок найма на работу и заработная плата, сведения о профессиональных союзах, стачках, обществах взаимопомощи. При подготовке своей главной работы — «Капитала» — К. Маркс проанализировал огромное количество экономических и статистических данных. Он показал, что явления общественной жизни — это массовые явления, для познания которых нужны особые методы.

Внесок Володимира Марковича Фрідланда в розвиток порівняльно-географічного підходу

The paper is devoted to the outstanding soviet geographer and soil scientist, Doctor of Geographical Sciences (1964), Professor (1968) Vladimir Fridland (1919–1983). A prominent place in his research works was taken by geospatial comparative-geographic studies. V. Fridland took part in many research projects in various parts of the world, including his motherland. From the actualistic and evaluative positions, the paper considers the important (at present) results from the seminal works of V. Fridland, which he had obtained using a wide range of methodological tools and research techniques, including comparative-geographical approach. V. Fridland also made an important contribution to the formation and development of natural geography. He enriched theoretical, methodological and applied aspects not only of soil science, but of geography in general. In his work of 1956, the scientist convincingly, in a concise comparative form and causal relationship, highlighted the natural conditions of the USSR and outlined their foreign analogues. In his influential work of 1964, V. Fridland had investigated the weathering processes, types of weathering, genesis and geography of soils in Northern Vietnam. In the 1970s, the pioneering scientist created a new research area – the doctrine of the structure of soil cover. Through field research in many regions of the Earth, the scientist has used and improved the approaches and methods of many natural sciences, including comparative one. V. Fridland successfully and productively used in scientific research almost the entire range of comparative-geographical methods. V. Fridland was the first one in the soviet geography to identify comparative method as an approach.

Итоги и перспективы исследований плиточных могил Приольхонья (побережье озера Байкал)

The article is devoted to summing up the results of the study of slab graves in the Cis-Olkhon (the western coast of Baikal from Cape Elokhin to the Bolshaya Buguldeika River, including Olkhon Island). The existence of this culture refers to the Late Bronze – Early Iron Ages. The Cis-Olkhon and the Kuda steppes of the Baikal region are the northern border of the spread of this culture, the center of which is Mongolia and Transbaikalia. The work is based on literary and archival information on the slab graves of the region for all years of study, including our own field works. The history of the collecting materials and their interpretation from the end of the 19th century to the present day is considered. On the territory of the Cis-Olkhon, 43 sites of slab graves were recorded, of which 19 were excavated in different years (47 graves were found). A list of archaeological objects was determined, their cartographic binding was carried out, information on burial practices, grave goods the presence of anthropological and faunal remains and their definitions for all published objects were collected. The analysis of the relationship between the location of burial grounds and the physic-geographical conditions and landscapes of the Cis-Olkhon was carried out. It was found that all of them are confined to steppe areas suitable for cattle breeding that was the basis of the economic activity of the carriers of this culture. All currently available radiocarbon dates for slab graves have been generalized and analyzed. The influence of the reservoir effect on the dating results obtained from human bones was revealed. At present, AMS radiocarbon dates (20 determinations) performed according to modern techniques are correct. The dating results demonstrate the chronological range of cultural distribution in the Cis-Olkhon within the limits of 2778–1998 cal BP (corrected date). An assessment of all available data on slab graves in the Cis-Olkhon revealed a high potential and prospects for their further research. The necessity for the publication of all discovered burials and a wider introduction of methods of natural sciences (anthropological, zooarchaeological, radiocarbon dating, taking into account the influence of the effect of a water reservoir, diet, etc.) in the study of these materials was noted.

Новое в изучении Тасмолинской археологической культуры Сарыарки

The article presents historical and cultural reconstructions of the research results of the last decades of the Tasmola archaeological culture of Central Kazakhstan. Tasmola archaeological culture in the frame work of the VII-III centuries BC was highlighted by M.K. Kadyrbaev in 1966. Currently, the Tasmola culture source data base has been replenished with new types of archaeological sites: “royal” mounds, settlements, stone statues. An analysis of them using new natural-science methods makes it possible to make adjustments to the culturalal and chronological periodization of the Saka era of the Saryаrka, and to consider the canons of the barrower chitecture of then nobility and the compositional structure of the living space of the steppe nomads. The archaeological classification of artifacts, radiocarbon analyzes date the Tasmola culture on the 8th-6th centuries BC. At this time, large elite barrows appear, the architectural style of settled monument sis emerging, which has been preserved until modern times, until the Kazakhs’ wintering (kystau). Study of the structure of the land part of elite memorials confirms the concept of the early Saka barrow tradition as architecturally complex and multi functional religious buildings. The stone sculptures of the Tasmolatribes’ are characterized by a complex of signs that distinguish the min to a separate group of ancient statuary art of the Scythian-Saka era.

Methodology of Pedagogical Research

The pedagogical research constitutes a critical, dynamic, intentional, active process oriented towards the investigation of the educaional reality under all its aspects. The present paper brings in the forefront the effort of pedagogy to crystalize its own methodology of research in its demarche of affirmation and consolidation of its scientifical status. The complexity and the high number of inter-depedent variables present in the study of the human condition foiled the effort to apply a model of scientific research underlain on the method of natural sciences in the field of social-human sciences. In this context, the pedagogy was bound to shade its methods of research in order to surprise as truthful as possible the complexity and diversity of the educational processes. Thus, besides the empirical-experimental method , the pedagogy was enriched with new methods of research such as the hermeneutic method, the historical method, the rhetorical method, the descriptive method, the problematization method .