Northwest Caucasus Research Articles

ЭКОЛОГО-АНАТОМИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ НЕКОТОРЫХ ПРЕДСТАВИТЕЛЕЙ РОДА ПОЛЫНЬ (ARTEMISIA L., ASTERACEAE) ВО ФЛОРЕ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА

ЭКОЛОГО-АНАТОМИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ НЕКОТОРЫХ ПРЕДСТАВИТЕЛЕЙ РОДА ПОЛЫНЬ (ARTEMISIA L., ASTERACEAE) ВО ФЛОРЕ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА

Структурно-тектонические предпосылки нефтегазоносности и возможные типы ловушек нефти и газа в складчато-орогенных зонах на примере Северо-Западного Кавказа

Структурно-тектонические предпосылки нефтегазоносности и возможные типы ловушек нефти и газа в складчато-орогенных зонах на примере Северо-Западного Кавказа

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE KUBAN ARCHAEOLOGY (ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FIRST RESEARCHERS MEOTIAN SETTLEMENTS OF THE KUBAN REGION)

The activity of the first post-revolutionary Kuban archaeologists focus on the study of monuments settlement type, was an important milestone in archaeology of the early iron age of North-West Caucasus. Begin systematic studies of ancient settlements of the Kuban region with the production of new for that time tasks in line with the new methodology. The article considers the initial stage of formation of the Kuban archaeology: 1920 – beginning of 1930-ies, highlights the most significant works of the pioneers of the Kuban archaeology (N.A. Zakharov, M.V. Pokrovsky) who discovered and first explored a now-famous archaeological monuments of the Kuban. Are little-known facts of a scientific biography of scientists. Noted that many features of the first studies of the characteristic paleoethnological school. Special attention has been paid to the study of mass archaeological material, particularly ceramics. It was in this period made the first attempts to link the settlement of the Kuban region early iron century Meotians ancient authors. The research was conducted within the framework of already existing scientific institutions (museums) and the newly formed on the basis of educational institutions, local history societies (LIETO) or local history groups. The most striking example of a local history circle, conducting active archaeological research of the archaeological monuments of the Kuban is the circle school No. 2 under the direction of M.V. Pokrovsky, which started its activities in the field of archeology N.V. Anfimov.

Earthworms (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) near the township Dombay of Teberda Reserve (Northwest Caucasus, Karachay-Cherkessia)

The population and characteristics of biotope distribution of earthworms near the township Dombay of the Teberda Reserve were studied. A mountain-forest belt, sparse growths of trees, elfin woodlands at the top edge of the forest, a sub-alpine meadow and lower mountain pastures were screened. Faunistic and quantitative surveys of earthworms were conducted in the soil and deadwood. The method of excavation and manual disassembly of soil samples was used in soil research. In the study of deadwood, trunks of Fagus orientalis and Picea orientalis of the 2nd and 3rd stages of decomposition were examined manually. Quantitative values were calculated per unit area (1 m2) and unit volume (1 m3). Twelve species of Lumbricidae were described in total. The Crimean-Caucasian endemic polymorphic species Dendrobaena shmidti, represented here by an unpigmented endogeic form, has the greatest abundance, biomass and widespread distribution. The highest species richness of Lumbricidae is in the mountainforest belt, which is inhabited by representatives of four morpho-ecological groups: epigeic, epi-endogeic, endogeic and anecic species. Forest communities are inhabited by 4–9 earthworm species. The lowest species diversity and abundance were observed in the sparse growths of trees, elfin woodlands at the top edge of the forest and the subalpine meadow. The highest abundance and biomass were observed on pasture. The endogeic earthworms were a dominant group in all communities. A high proportion of epigeic species in all forest communities was noted only for deadwood. The epi-endogeic group is represented primarily by Lumbricus rubellus, the abundance of which is particularly high in the pasture. The epi-endogeic species Eisenia fetida was found only in deadwood. The only anecic species, L. terrestris, was encountered in two forest communities and in a garden of Dombay. Small epigeic species Dendrobaena octaedra, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis and Dendrobaena attemsi play the main role in deadwood decomposition; deadwood serves as the main habitat for these species in spring and summer. Deadwood is an additional habitat for large-sized endogeic and epi-endogeic species; mature and juvenile worms live here in the litter and moss cover, the rotting wood is penetrated only by juveniles of large-sized species.

ETHNONYMIC AND TOPONIMIC NAMES OF THE NORTH-WEST CAUCASUS IN HISTORICAL SOURCES: ON EXAMPLE OF PORTOLAN (NAUTICAL MAP) OF PIETRO VESKONTE, 1318

The first map of the Black Sea that adequately reflected the outlines of its shores, was the one established by Genoese Pietro Veskonte in 1311-1318. It contained a number of names of settlements and harbors, which were the main points of the Genoese-Caucasian trade. Instead of the single "country" – Zikhia, the largest ethno-territorial union of the North-West Caucasus during that period, Veskonte pointed two Zikhias – Black Zikhia and White Zikhia. The colour symbolism of the territorial structure of the one space was based on the nature of the relationship with supreme authority of the khan of the Golden Horde. Beside that main criterion there was the criterion of political order: areas under the princes’ ruling were considered as white ones, and mountain communities administrating in democratic ways – as black areas. The author proposes a new etymology of the toponym “Anapa”, which had been used for the first time in 1479 by Ottoman historian Kemalpashazade. Anapa, presumably, was a Turkish distortion of the Italian name “Mapa”. That latter form was used in numerous Italian sources of the XIV-XV centuries and quite probably related to the Greek primal word – “emporia” or “Emporion” ("market square", "commercial city") through the Latin (Italic) form “Maparium”, which was occasionally used as the full name of Mapa. During the XVI-XVIII centuries Circassians learned the Ottoman form of the toponym and it began to be perceived as the typical for Circassian language compound word due to the full compliance of its morphemic structure to the word formation rules of Circassian language.

The structure of the Tuapse shear zone according to the field tectonophysical data

The results of field structural studies of the Tuapse shear zone in the Northwest Caucasus are presented. This zone is characterized by shear displacements of various scales with a dominant horizontal shear, viz., a geodynamic type of the stress state, which leads to the formation of faults with mostly lateral displacement of wings, i.e., along the strike of the fault surface. The quantitative characteristics of the local stress conditions in the shear zone (the positions of principal axes and the Lode–Nadai coefficient) are determined on the basis of cataclastic analysis and geological indicators of the paleostresses. The differences between these characteristics are considered for the large tectonic zones. Significant spatial (areal) variations in orientations of the axes of major normal stresses in the shear zone and their local weak gentle variations are evidence of a consistent general stress direction during the formation of faults during the Late Eocene–Miocene deformation epoch.

POPULATION OF THE NORTHWEST CAUCASUS AND EURASIAN NOMADS: MILITARY-POLITICAL COOPERATION «ALGORITHM»

Autochthonous ethnic array of Northwest Caucasus was formed under constant pressure by the nomadic peoples. This article is an attempt to trace the repeated historical scenario (a kind of algorithm) of the interaction of the agricultural area with a series of nomadic cultures. The 1st stage of this algorithm – the chaotic inroads of nomads or the planned military campaign. The 2nd stage – mainly peaceful coexistence with a nomadic ethnic group, which could be accompanied by recognition of both the military and political supremacy of nomadic empire (the Khazar Khanate, the Golden Horde), and an equal relationship with the mutual periodic forays (Cumans, Nogais, Kalmyks). Stage 3 is the inevitable emergence of a new wave of newcomers, who sought to destroy the old nomads of Don-Kuban region. Old nomads sought to enter into a defensive alliance with the Circassians. This model, when the old Turkic population enlists the help of the Circassians, applies not only to the nomadic ethnic groups, whose political system is characterized by considerable decentralization (Cumans, Nogai), but also to the nomadic states: Tokhtamysh with the Circassians against Tamerlane, the Crimean Khanate with the Circassians against Kalmyks. During the third phase the Turkic khanates necessarily experiencing cultural, military and political influence of the Circassians. Natives of Circassia are becoming part of the administrative elite of the Golden Horde, and of the Crimean Khanate. Stage 4 – the integration of nomadic tribal groups in Circassian space and some dependence on Circassians. A striking example of the pressure of the Circassians on the nomadic state – the Astrakhan Khanate, the capital of which Circassians seized several times, promoting the enthronement of the Khans, who were their relatives. This stage is characterized by a high level of cross-cultural communication. Assimilation of nomads helped to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Northwest Caucasus. During the XVI - first half of XIX century Kuban Nogais have gone from confrontation with the Circassians through alliances with them to some depending on the Circassians, and the noble examples of the Circassian patriotism.

Paleostress reconstructions and structure of the Tuapse strike-slip fault

The results of the field structural studies of Northwest Caucasus Tuapse Shear Zone are presented. There are strike-slip displacements of different scale and the domination of horizontal shear conditions (type of geodynamic stress state that cause the formation of faults with mainly lateral movement of the wings along strike fault surface) within this zone. Using the method of cataclastic analysis of the collected geological paleostresses indicators the quantitative characteristics of the local stress states within the shear zone - position of the principal stresses axes and the Lode-Nadai coefficient - are identified. Differences of these characteristics considered for large tectonic zones. Significant spatial (territorial) variations of the orientations of the principal normal stresses axes identified within the shear zone, and their small smooth variations within local areas, which indicate on consistency of the general stress direction in the formation of studied fault structures in the Late Eocene-Miocene deformation period.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА АНТРОПОГЕННОНАРУШЕННЫХ ГОРНО-ЛЕСНЫХ ФИТОЦЕНОЗОВ ЛАГОНАКСКОГО НАГОРЬЯ (СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНЫЙ КАВКАЗ)

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА АНТРОПОГЕННОНАРУШЕННЫХ ГОРНО-ЛЕСНЫХ ФИТОЦЕНОЗОВ ЛАГОНАКСКОГО НАГОРЬЯ (СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНЫЙ КАВКАЗ)

ФОРМЫ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОЙ СЕРЫ В БУРЫХ ЛЕСНЫХ ПОЧВАХ НИЗКИХ И СРЕДНИХ ГОР СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА

ФОРМЫ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОЙ СЕРЫ В БУРЫХ ЛЕСНЫХ ПОЧВАХ НИЗКИХ И СРЕДНИХ ГОР СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА

MILITARY AND POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE CAUCASUS IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1830 years

The article is devoted to the military and political situation in theCaucasusduring the second half of the 1830s. The author finds that the situation required a realization in theTranscaucasiaof an administrative reform aimed at the entering of local Christian and Muslim population the legal field of the Empire. The Russian administration in the Transcaucasia in 1830s had to deal with separatist movements inGeorgiaand in Azerbaijani khanates. In the North-East Caucasus a major problem was the muridism that resulted in the creation of military and theocratic State ofShamil. For its solution the Command of Independent Caucasian Corps was taking military and political actions. The time when G.V. Rosen was a Commander of Independent Caucasian Corps coincided with the successes of the muridism movement in theNorthEastern Caucasusand with the beginning of the epochShamil. Muridism is a strict religious charter based on obedience to the Imam was a convenient tool for organization of continued political power and the Shariah provided norms capable to protect property better than the customary law. However G.V. Rosen was unable to understand the main sense of the movement of Caucasian Highlanders nor to offer an effective solution for the conflict. A similar situation was characteristic of the North-West Caucasus. Despite a few weak attempts to create a negotiation space the offensive from the Black Sea and theKubancordons against Circassians was a generally prevailed line.

INTERCITY RAIL COMMUNICATION IN KUBAN REGION IN THE LATE XIX – BEGINNING OF XX CENTURY: DESIGN AND EXECUTION

The article deals with construction projects of intercity rail communications inKubanregion in the late XIX early XX century and assesses the extent of their implementation. Appeal to the subject allows you to analyze the conditions of the beginning of the public transport system in the region, and to identify its place and role in the emerging urban infrastructure of the North-West Caucasus. We analyze the degree of efficiency in Ekaterinodar tram and suburban lines to the village Pashkovskaya. The article also highlights the unrealized projects of equestrian railways and tram in the towns and villages of theKubanregion in the early twentieth century. It noted the interest of the residents of certain localities in the appearance of the public means of transport, which was intended to resolve the problem of intra-urban mobility and accelerate the improvement of urban infrastructure. The author draws the attention to the changes of urban infrastructure and planning structure of the capital ofKubanregion caused by the laying of rail communications for electric tram with a companion set of technical installations for its operation and maintenance. The construction and expansion of the tram lines contributed to engineering transform city environment. The conditions of the Treaty of the municipal authorities and the Belgian anonymous society traction Company and electricity of building in Ekaterinodar, electric railway, the terms and conditions of its operation. Describes how to extend the network of tramway messages indicating the major and minor routes in the early twentieth century. Evaluates the degree of accessibility and facilities for Ekaterinodar citizens and guests of the city a new mode of transport. Cities and towns are indicated in theKubanregion, which in the early twentieth century, projects and applied a concession contract for the construction of inner city and suburban tram routes, but because of socio-economic and political conditions, these projects have not been fulfilled.

Further contributions to the knowledge of lichenicolous fungi and lichenicolous lichens of the Northwest Caucasus, Russia

Further contributions to the knowledge of lichenicolous fungi and lichenicolous lichens of the Northwest Caucasus, Russia

Картографирование темнохвойных лесов Северо-Западного Кавказа методом нейронных сетей

Картографирование темнохвойных лесов Северо-Западного Кавказа методом нейронных сетей

SLAVES TRADE AT THE BLACK SEA COAST OF THE NORTH-WEST CAUCASUS IN THE PICTURESQUE AND WRITTEN SOURCES OF 19th CENTURY

Тhe article discovers the problem reflection of the realities of the North Caucasian slave trade in paintings and written sources of the 19th century. Within the boundaries of the North-West Caucasus, the authors analyzed the sources of slavery among the Circassians, the driving forces of the slave trade within the local people, the geographical location of the most significant slave markets in the region. The article characterizes the role of the Ottoman merchants in the process of exporting the slaves in the pre-Russian and Russian period during administrative and political affiliation of the Black Sea coast of North-West Caucasus. It describes the trade specifics of the Circassian women-slave trade in the region. It analyzes the pricing policy towards Caucasian female prisoners. The examples of predictions of the European travelers regarding the following future of slaves in the East are presented the nature and the consequences of the military and administrative measures implemented by the Russian Empire in 1830s in order to prevent the export of slaves from the Black Sea coast of the North Caucasus. It describes the efforts of the Ottoman and Circassian slave traders to continue the smuggling human trafficking. In the examples of masking ships, secret meeting places, the destruction of evidence in the case of verification by the teams of Russian warships, etc. The article determines the degree of reliance of the historical data reflections in the testimonies made by the artists of the studied period.

Biology of the Invasive Species Acer Negundo L. in the Conditions of the North-West Caucasus Foothills

The article describes results of the study of the biological and physiological peculiarities of the invasive species Асer negundo L. in the conditions of the North-West Caucasus foothills compared to the autochtone species Acer campestre L. The performed biometric measurements allowed identifying the growth duration and morphology of the invasive and domestic species’ lamina. The longest period of the shoots growth and the largest accretion is observed at А. negundo. High variation coefficient of the lamina sizes characteristics is identified in both species. According to the phenological observations results, А. negundo is assigned to the group of plants with early vegetation commencement and completion. Values range of water deficiency, transpiration rate, water retention capacity (water loss) in А. negundo and A. campestre has its limits. Invasive species demonstrates the lowest water deficiency value, lower water losses; it is more economic in terms of the flow rate for the transpiration, frost-resistant, which is indicative of the development of the water regime adjustment mechanisms in А. negundo in the region’s natural climatic conditions, and of the environmental plasticity of the species.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE ISLAMIC FACTOR ON THE LANDMARKS OF ABAZA SOCIETY IN RUSSIA

Abaza people, being a part of Adyghe-Abkhaz ethnic group, live in the Northwest Caucasus. In the second half of the XIX century there was a relocation of a large group of Abaza to the territory of the Ottoman Empire; an important cause of migration was the religious factor. The best preserved Abaza diaspora today is living in Turkey. Compact, ethnically homogeneous settlements of Abaza allowed preserving their language and traditional culture up to the present time; the Islamic factor played a positive role in the consolidation of the overseas Abaza community, though, to some extent, it has led to the phenomenon of a divided nation. Speaking about religious life in the Soviet period Abaza from North Caucasus were experiencing the same difficulties as the entire population of the country, but Islam was still the one of the signs of national identity. In the post-Soviet period there was a large-scale appeal to Islam; Islam became a positive factor for the consolidation of the people, maintaining social equilibrium in Abaza community. Modern trends in the development of Abaza community allow us to make the assumption that the position and role of Islam will be strengthened. In the current official policy of Turkey, Islam is becoming increasingly important reference point in social development. It is safe to say that communication between Russian and Turkish Abaza communities will continue to develop and in the future it will lead to further strengthening of the position of Islam and the influence of the Islamic factor in the many spheres of Abaza life in Russia.

Age of maturity in alpine herbaceous perennials in the northwest Caucasus

Sod transplantation experiment was carried out for 24 years in alpine communities, Teberda Reserve, the North-West Caucasus, Russia. Age of maturity (AOM) was estimated as a period between first registra- tion of a species on.a permanent plot and flowering shoot appearance. Mean species AOM varied from 2.3 years (Antennaria dioica with clonal propagation) to 13.7 years for Taraxacum stevenii (non-clonal plant). General gradient of alpine plant traits and population strategies was determined. It represents a continuum ranging from ruderal--stress-tolerants (shorter AOM, clonality, shorter leaf life span, low rate of mycorrhizal infection, low regrowth ability, low generative shoot number, low specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen content) to competitor--stress-tolerants (longer AOM, longer leaf life span, higher rate of mycorrhizal infection, higher regrowth ability, high generative shoot number, high specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen content).

MORPHOSTRUCTURAL AND MORPHOSCULPTURAL FEATURES OF THE MAIN RIDGE OF THE NORTH-WEST CAUCASUS

The set of morphostructural blocks of 5 th and 6 th orders and their limitative faults were determined within the Main Ridge of the North-West Caucasus. The landforms on the volcanic rocks are widespread in the region; by the most part they dominate in relief. Fluvial, nival, and gravitational morphosculptures are predominant.

THE EVOLUTION OF MOUNTAIN FARMS IN THE NORTH CAUCASIAN REGION IN THE 2ND HALF OF THE 19th - EARLY 20th CENTURIES

The long process of joining the peoples of Central and Eastern Caucasus to the Russian Empire ended in 1859 after the capture in Gunib village of Imam Shamil, the leader of the People’s Liberation Movement. Adyghe people of the Northwest Caucasus in spring 1864, having lost independence and having joined Russia, were involved in the advanced capitalist relations characterized by a number of specific features. The article considers the problems of engaging mountain farms of the North Caucasian region in progressive capitalist relations. It identifies the main and specific features of capitalist relations in Russia which were characterized by in-depth development of capitalism and in-width development of capitalist production. The article considers the mechanisms and stages of economic conquest of the provinces of Russia in the post-reform period, gives characteristics of the complex Caucasian realities with profound social contradictions, diversity of everyday lifestyles and customs of the local population. The author analyzes implementation of the peasant reform in the Northern Caucasus, where the mechanism of liberating dependent classes was almost the same as in Russia. In conclusion, the article identifies the consequences of this reform for Adygeyanpeasantry.