North-western Black Sea Coast Research Articles

The problem of the attribution of burials of medieval nomads on the territory of the ukrainian steppe on the example of three burials from the Novosilsky kurgan complex

The article is devoted to the problem of attributing monuments of medieval nomads from the Ukrainian steppe in the period of X-XIV centuries on the example of three burials from the Novosilsky Kurgan group located in the North-Western Black Sea coast. The attribution of such burials is problematic for the archaeology of Ukraine. The number of modern studies on this topic is rather small, which is determined by the somewhat biased attitude of scientists towards the monuments of medieval nomads of the 10th-14th centuries as those left by a certain homogeneous community, as evidenced by the still used term "late nomads". However, such a strong generalization does not reflect reality. During the Middle Ages, the steppe of Ukraine was replaced one after another by waves of multi-ethnic nomads who migrated here from Central Asia. The ethnic diversity of the Pechenegs, Torks, Cumans, and the Central Asian peoples who came with the Mongols, but also their similarities, including the significant similarity of funeral rites, made it difficult to attribute and identify features for certain ethnocultural groups and chronological periods. The purpose of this paper is to trace possible solutions to this problem. Modern technologies can also help with this - namely, 3-D modelling of artefacts from burials, which allows us to learn the detailed parameters of each object and visualize it in high resolution. For this work, three 3-D models were created - one object from each burial site, which will be characterized in the paper. The models also perform an important task of preserving cultural heritage, because unfortunately, since 2014, because of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, nomadic monuments from the medieval steppe of Ukraine have been destroyed.

Tectonic factors of the formation of the modern North9Western Black Sea coast geoecosystem

The experience of many years of research shows the high tectonic activity of the North-Western Black Sea coast (NWBSC) in the Cenozoic. Differentiated block tectonic movements have long controlled here the position of the sea level, the development of the river network (including the now underwater paleovalleys), the rates of sedimentation, the processes of bank formation, landslides and the general formation of landscapes. Tectonic factors actually determine the directions and rates of development of the modern geoecosystem of the entire NWBSC. The results of their study should be taken into account when planning and solving urgent tasks and problems of rational nature management.

Cytogeography of Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae) outside the Mediterranean: two ploidy levels, spatial differentiation of cytotypes, and occurrence of mixed-ploidy populations

Gagea bohemica s.l. is a morphologically and karyologically highly variable group with many morphologically similar “narrow” taxa currently considered as a single variable species. It is predominantly distributed in Mediterranean and warmer parts of temperate belt of Europe. The large-scale data on its cytogeography and population cytotype structure which could provide a basis for taxonomy are lacking, only scattered data on ploidy have been published from various parts of its range. In this study, we sampled 106 populations in broader Central Europe, the northeastern Balkan Peninsula and the northwestern Black Sea coast in order to analyze their ploidy level, genome size and pollen stainability. Two cytotypes, i.e., tetraploid (2n = 48) and pentaploid (2n = 60), were found in the study area using chromosome counting and flow cytometry, both in pure and mixed-ploidy populations. Pure pentaploid populations are mainly distributed in Austria, Czechia, northwestern Hungary and Slovakia while tetraploid cytotype in pure and mixed-ploidy populations forming two lineages which are concentrated into two disjunct geographical areas: a western lineage in Germany and Switzerland and an eastern one in Bulgaria, southeastern Hungary, northern Greece, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. The two lineages differ in their genome size regardless of their ploidy, indicating their independent origin. Analysis of pollen stainability using a modified Alexander stain revealed an unusual pattern with tetraploids having a lower pollen stainability (mean 44.29%) than pentaploids (mean 70.70%), but the western and eastern populations differed again from each other.

Plastic waste: assessment of the prosesses of its formation and management in the North-Western Black Sea Coast Regions

Plastic waste represents a specific component within the municipal solid waste structure because of the peculiarities of its formation, possibility of reuse and ecological consequences of environmental pollution. In particular, growing consumption of plastic is accompanied by a constant level of recycling (4-8%). This leads to accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. The article presents data on the content of plastic waste in the municipal solid waste of Ukrainian cities. According to the data the content of plastic waste within the municipal solid waste amounts to 10-12%. Plastic waste is mainly represented by polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate (more than 60%). It was discovered that plastic recycling companies import almost a third of recycled materials from Europe, while almost 84% of plastic is still ends brought to landfills. The analysis of the situation with separate collection of the municipal solid waste in the North-Western Black Sea Coast Region (namely Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson Regions) indicates a low level of secondary raw materials extraction. It is also exacerbated by the fact that only 75% of the population receives services for centralized collection of the municipal solid waste. It is estimated that almost 160,000 tons of plastic waste were brought to the landfills of Odesa Region in 2019. This volume is equal to the workload of existing plastic processing enterprises of Ukraine. So, as exemplified by Odesa Region, the research aimed at assessing the resource potential of plastic waste by main categories and in terms of clustering of the region, in accordance with the Regional Waste Management Plan project. It also describes the environmental consequences of leaving waste plastic materials in the environment – contamination with microplastics and formation of persistent organic pollutants. Moreover, it indicates that the municipal plastic waste is a significant source for such substances formation during thermal and mechanical destruction processes taking place within a landfill's body or marine environment. The research analyzes the main reasons for a low level of plastic waste use in the region. One of them is a lack of conditions allowing the citizens to collect plastic waste separately from the rest of their waste.

Climate change impact on the freshwater balance of quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea coast

Abstract We studied the impact of regional climate changes that have occurred and are expected in the near future on the freshwater balance of quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea region. These lagoons do not have a permanent connection with the sea but are episodically connected to it by artificial channels, straits, or other hydraulic facilities. We used the value of the deficit in their annual freshwater balance as an indicator of vulnerability to climate change for each lagoon. The changes in the multi-year averages of climatic parameters in the North-Western Black Sea region, which determine the components of the water balance and its annual deficit in lagoons, were assessed by observations at hydrometeorological sites and outcomes of the EURO-CORDEX Project for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. We have found that regional climate changes are resulting in the increasing deficit of annual freshwater balance for all quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea region. Also, climate change can result in excessive shallowing, salinization, and even the complete disappearance of some lagoons due to the lack of or insufficient water exchange with the sea.

PAINTED AND DYED POTTERY OF THE LATE BRONZE AGE FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF HLYBOKE OZERO 2 ON THE SIVERSKYI DONETS RIVER

The paper is aimed at the publication of pottery with painted decoration and traces of paint manipulation discovered at the settlement of Hlyboke Ozero 2 in the middle reaches of the Siverskyi Donets. The finds are associated with stratigraphic layers II and III, marking the transition from the Late Zrubna culture to the so-called Post-Zrubna culture (12th—11th centuries BC).
 The settlement of Hlyboke Ozero 2 is located in the middle reaches of the Siverskyi Donets River and was explored by excavations in 1991 (Y. P. Gershkovych, Y. B. Polidovych, V. V. Tsymidanov, O. R. Dubovska, S. M. Degermendzhy). The area of the site is at least 3000 sq.m., of which 1685.5 m2 have been excavated.
 The scheme of cultural and stratigraphic division of the site includes four «layers» (I—IV), with layers II and III divided into two «horizons» each. Based on radiocarbon dates and traditional methods, the period of the settlement’s existence is determined to be the late 13th to 11th centuries BC. Based on analogies with the materials of the North-Western Black Sea coast, layers I and II are synchronized with the developed and late Sabatynivka culture; the following layers are attributed to the «post-Zrubna period».
 Two variants of paint application on pottery were identified.
 1) Painting before firing. Red paint (probably, ochre) was used to cover large areas of the outer surface of the vessels (or possibly the entire vessel). Often this technique is combined with a «pattern» made with black paint: the bottom parts of the vessels were covered rhythmically with vertical stripes, probably around the entire perimeter of the body.
 2) Application of paint to the surface after firing. This technique is likely to be associated with actions carried out, in particular, with already broken vessels. It is possible that pottery sherds served as available tools for the processing of raw materials for paint. Visually, the fragments with paint do not differ from the bulk of the ceramics at the settlement.
 The so-called ochre engobe characterises the materials of the Stepanivka type of the Berezhynivka-Maivka Zrubna culture, while red or polychrome engobe is mentioned as a method of painting vessels from some Late Bronze Age burials of the Dnipro—Donets and Don—Donets interfluve. It is likely that the production of painted vessels on the Hlyboke Ozero 2 was caried out by the bearers of the local or kindred cultural tradition.
 Looking for a probable external source for this decorative style, let’s consider the final stage of the Bronze Age in Eastern Europe as a period of interaction of cultural components of different origins and, probably, population movements on a wide Eurasian scale. One of the main directions of cultural influences on the Siverskyi Donets’ region is the «Eastern» one, associated with the cultures of the Volga region, the Urals and Northern Kazakhstan. It is this direction that was the main source of changes in the material culture of Hlyboke Ozero 2, which is reflected in pottery and bronze metal-working. In this context, we propose to consider the hypothesis of the appearance of painted decoration on Late / Post-Zrubna pottery of the western periphery of the culture under the impact of the traditions of the agricultural entities of Central Asia. This could have been carried out through the agency of the Post-Andronovo population.

Seasonal Dynamics of Algoflora Development of the Hyperhaline Kuyalnyk Estuary (North-Western Black Sea Coast, Ukraine)

The dynamics of seasonal development of the algal flora from the Kuyalnyk Estuary between 2001-2018 is considered here. A significant spatial heterogeneity was established for the distribution of the aquatic microalgae aquatic habitat for the different growth seasons. The lowest and highest indicators of the number and biomass of microalgae were observed in the shallow waters of the northern part of the estuary.

Этническая карта Северного Причерноморья на рубеже эр

The article discusses the complicated theme of the localization of peoples and tribes in the northern Black Sea region at the turn of epochs. The authors use the method of interpretation of ancient authors’ information while comparing it with broad archeological data. The research allows to successfully localize particular peoples and numerous tribes of the given time on the ethnic map of the region. The research shows that most tribes and peoples left a bright trace in ethnic history of the northern Black Sea region. However, not all ethnic groups dwelling there at that time found their place in the region’s geographical space. Some localizations still belong to scientific uncertainties. This confirms the relevance of the research. In addition to a thorough analysis of the ancient written tradition, the authors also involve archaeological material to prove the location of the tribes. Thanks to this comprehensive study, it has been established that after the few recorded Sarmatian burials of the II–I centuries BC in the areas between the Dnieper and the Don and in the north-western Black Sea coast, the number of Sarmatian monuments of the second half of the first century B.C – early first century AD to the west of the Dniester increases sharply. Several barrow burial mounds of the Zubo-Vozdvizhensky group of Sarmatian monuments appeared on the left bank of the Kuban River in the second half of the first century BC, which differ in some respects from the Central Sarmatian complexes of the Kuban area. The tombs have pronounced Central Asian cultural elements. In this respect the authors pay special attention to the decay of Southern Ural steppes at the turn of the our era due to aridisation and shift of the center of Middle Sarmatian culture towards the Lower Don. Thus, the study confirms the enormous role of migrations from the depths of Asia in the formation of the Middle Sarmatian culture and in the emergence of many innovations in the Sarmatian culture of the first century AD.

LITHOLOGICAL AND MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION OF ACCUMULATIVE BEACH SEDIMENTS OF THE DNIESTER-DNIPRO SEGMENT OF THE BLACK SEA

The article presents the results of studies of modern beach sediments of the northwestern Black Sea coast from the village of KarolinoBuhaz (Odesa oblast) to the village of Rybakivka (Mykolaiv oblast). The length of the coastal zone is about 110 km. Most of the beaches here are sloping beaches of various morphologies and widths. Using a uniform methodology, 64 samples were collected and processed along the entire profile. The sampling was carried out from the middle part of the beach strip between the water's edge and the shore in the summer in the absence of storms from a depth of 30 cm. The area of the sweep was 30×30 cm. Each sampling point was accompanied by a description of the geological structure, condition of the coastal zone and characteristics of the beach area. The sampling points were georeferenced using a GPS system. Grain size and mineralogical analyses were carried out, and the main patterns of lithological composition and distribution of mineral fractions along the entire profile were established. Several contrasting areas were identified: 1) Karolino-Buhaz-Chornomorsk, where the medium-grained (0.5–0.25 mm) fraction significantly prevails (67 %). In the sediments of this area, the main mineral of all fractions is quartz (90 %). The dominant heavy minerals are garnet, ilmenite, and magnetite; 2) Chornomorsk – Cape Velykyi Fontan and Lanzheron (Odesa oblast) – Kobleve (Mykolaiv oblast) with a significant content of coarse-grained psamite (2–1 mm) – 29 % and gravel (2–5 mm) – 16 % fractions. The main minerals here in all fractions are quartz and calcite; 3) Cape Velykyi Fontan -Lanzheron is characterised by a variable particle size distribution, with the bulk represented by fractions of 0.25–0.5 mm and 0.25–0.1 mm, which have different proportions on different beaches. The dominant mineral in all fractions is quartz, with calcite detritus present in subordinate amounts. Heavy minerals are represented by single grains of garnet, ilmenite, magnetite, staurolite; 4) Kobleve – Rybakivka (Mykolaiv oblast) with an increase in the content of fractions of 0.25–0.1 mm (up to 42 %). The main mineral in all fractions is quartz (up to 87 %). The secondary component is calcite detritus. Biotite, muscovite and tourmaline are notable impurities in fine-grained fractions. On some beaches located near the seaport of Odesa, numerous glassy spheroidal aggregates of various compositions and ferruginous spheroids have been found in fractions of less than 0.5 mm. In places of concentration of such formations, the colour of the beach sediments becomes grey. The total content of anthropogenic material in the beach sediments of the studied segment is on average 0.1–0.12 %. It increases significantly (up to 0.23 %) in the vicinity of the port of Odesa and adjacent areas. In addition, in contrast to the Danube-Dniester segment, there is a noticeable increase in the amount of large-sized material of man-made origin (plastic, concrete, bricks, wood fragments, metal, fabric, etc.) in the beach area. The main factor in the formation of the mineral and particle size distribution of beach sediments in the Dniester-Dnipro segment of the coast is coastal abrasion. The role of terrigenous inputs from the land is minimal and is manifested only in the northern part (Berezan Bay area). The formation of the material and fractional composition is significantly influenced by periodic artificial sand alluviation (beach area of the Odesa agglomeration), strengthening of slopes with concrete blocks, piling up of blocks of igneous and metamorphic rocks, mainly granitoid, breakwaters and other structures that change the direction and influence along the coastal currents.

Ottoman administrative and territorial system of Budjak and Ochakiv land

The Ottoman territorial-administrative system of the North-Western Black Sea Coast was formed during the 15th-18th centuries within the historical-geographic lands that are part of modern Moldova and Ukraine. In the territories that are exclusively under the power of the Ottoman state, the Ottoman centralized territorial-administrative management system is being gradually introduced, starting from the formation of the smallest administrative units to the formation of sanjaks and later to their development as part of the eyalet Silistra-Ochakiv. 1. Creation of primary administrative administration – formation of self-governing civil communities and their territorial division in Budjak and Ochakiv land. 2. Judicial-administrative management and fiscal-territorial division of the North-Western Black Sea Coast. 3. The formation of sanjaks in the North-Western Black Sea coast and the formation of the Silistra-Ochakiv eyalet. In addition to the above, structures of the Crimean Tatar administration over the hordes were established on the redeemed lands given to the Crimean Khan, and territories with a predominantly Christian population were also organized. According to archival data, the territory of the North-Western Black Sea Coast in its military-administrative system is divided into three consecutively created sanjaks: Akkerman, Bender and Ochakiv, which are a constituent part of the Silistra-Ochakiv eyalet. At the same time, at the early stage of their existence, the Akkerman and Silistre sanjaks were the basis for the creation of the said eyalet. Each sanjak contained several judicial-administrative districts – kaza. In particular, the Akkerman sanjak covered the main part of Bujak and theSouthwestern edge of the Ochakiv land. Akkerman sanjak included kazas Akkerman, Kiliya, Tatarbunar and Ismail-gechedi. The Bender sanjak covered the territories of the kaza of the same name and the Transnistrian possessions of the Ochakiv land. Ochakiv sanjak was located on most of the confluence of the Dniester and Bug rivers, with the exception of the Transnistrian region. The administration of the qadis was carried out over the united communities – nahiye and redeemed territories – mukataa. In general, the main part of the Ottoman possessions in the North-Western Black Sea region was subject to the centralized administration of the Ottoman vertical ofpower, where the permanent territorial-administrative system of the provincial division of the Ottoman state was applied. In addition, the region contained a collection of lands with different forms of administrative organization without a single defined management system, which was based on the traditional forms of organization of these communities and, as a rule, was subordinated to the administration of the Crimean Khanate.

Results of the hydrological, hydrochemical, biological and medico-hydrobiological studies of the Kuialnyk Estuary

The Kuialnyk Estuary belongs to the group of closed estuaries of the Northwestern Black Sea coast and is a unique water body of national importance with therapeutic properties. The natural territories of the Kuialnyk Estuary were declared as a resort of national importance and form a part of the Kuialnyk National Nature Park.
 The purpose of the research is to introduce the results of the hydrological, hydrochemical, hydrobiological and medico-biological studies of the condition of the Kuialnyk Estuary and seawater in the Odesa Bay that were conducted in 2021 and to compare them with the results of previous years. This would help to determine the conditions under which the estuary’s natural system is functioning, to ensure preservation and restoration of its natural resources, to prevent their pollution, clogging and depletion, as well as to identify changes of the natural resources of the Kuialnyk Estuary in the context of its artificial replenishment with seawater from the Odesa Bay and varying hydro-ecological factors.
 The general conclusion is as follows: replenishment of the estuary with seawater during the cold period of 2020-2021, increasing amount of atmospheric precipitation and decreasing rate of evaporation from the estuary’s water surface in 2021 raised the Kuialnyk Estuary’s water level. This led to significant improvement of the estuary’s hydro-ecological condition compared to 2020, however, because of its contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, some toxic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the water quality in 2021 is still assessed as satisfactory. The quality of the bottom sediments of the Kuialnyk Estuary from the environmental perspective is assessed as very poor because of their contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The physicochemical composition of colloidal dispersions of the Kuialnyk Estuary’s peloids is barely different as compared to previous years. As per indicators of Eh (2017-2021) and pH (2020-2021), the quality of the peloids within the area used by the sanatorium did not meet the established conditions and the Medical (Balneological) Conclusion. Compared to 2020, the sanitary and microbiological condition of peloids improved in 2021, however, was still unsatisfactory. The characteristics of peloids’ biological activity during different periods of studies correlate with general mineralization fluctuations. Maintaining oil mineralization at a level not higher than 250 g/dm3 is quite important in order to preserve the unique deposit of natural healing resources of the Kuialnyk Estuary.
 Therefore, solving the following problems remains a priority: reducing the mineralization of the estuary’s water via increase of the rate of clean fresh water supply from various sources instead of using salty seawater; preventing the pollution from anthropogenic sources from entering the estuary (through water runoff from the watercourses flowing into the Kuialnyk Estuary such as the chute from the sandbar, Korsuntsivska and Hildendorfska gullies and others).

Climate change impact on water balance of quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea coast

The paper studies the impact of regional climate changes that occurred in the past and are expected to occur in the near future on the components of the annual fresh water balance of quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea coast. Currently these lagoons have no permanent connection with the sea. However, there are some episodic connections via artificially created channels, ducts and other waterworks. The value of insufficiency of the studied lagoons' annual fresh water balance is used as an indicator of their ecosystems' sensitivity to climate change. Action plans must be created and implemented for the lagoons that are the most sensitive to changes in regional climatic conditions in order to achieve and maintain their "good" environmental quality status.
 The climate-induced changes of meteorological parameters in the North-Western Black Sea coast that determine the components of the lagoons' water balance are estimated for two periods: the current one from 2000 to 2018 (based on the observations made at coastal meteorological stations) and the near-future one of 2021-2050 which is compared to the 1961-1990 period (based on the data of the Climate Cadastre of Ukraine). The expected climatic conditions in the near future (2021-2050) were determined by the RCM simulations of the Euro-CORDEX project for the RCP4.5 climate change scenario.
 The research evaluates the components of the lagoons' fresh water balance (precipitation reaching the lagoons' water surface, fresh water inflow from the catchments, evaporation from the lagoons' water surface) and identifies the residuals (shortages) of annual balance. It uses the "climate-runoff" hydrological model for the above climatic periods to determine the fresh water inflow into the lagoons through the watercourses of their catchment areas. The annual evaporation layer from the lagoons' water surface was evaluated using the long-term average monthly values of temperature and relative humidity for each of the periods.
 It was established that the climatic changes that occurred earlier and those expected in the current century caused and will cause the increasing insufficiency of the annual fresh water balance of quasi-closed lagoons in the North-Western Black Sea coast. This can threaten salinization, shallowing or even disappearance of some lagoons. Thus new strategies for water and environmental management of such lagoons must be developed. In terms of vulnerability to climate changes leading to significant annual insufficiency of fresh water balance (if there are no other water sources, e.g. water from the sea), lagoons are ranked in the following order: Kuialnytskyi Lagoon, Dofinivskyi Lagoon, Budatskyi Lagoon (if there is no water inflow from the Dnistrovskyi Lagoon), the Tuzla group of lagoons, Sasyk Lagoon, Tyligulskyi Lagoon, Hadzhybeisky Lagoon (if there is no anthropogenic runoff).

Quality of lipid-carotinoid concentrate from shrimps Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837

Introduction. The nutritional status of the population of Ukraine is characterized by imbalance, in particular in the composition of the lipid component. The human diet is deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids, the source of which are marine fish and crustaceans. Problem. Ukraine has its own resources of Black Sea shrimp P. adpersus Rathke, 1837, the meat of which is in great demand, but inedible parts, as in most crustaceans, range from 39 to 50 %. That is why the search for technologies for the use of inedible parts of the body of shrimp is relevant. Lipid-carotenoid concentrate (LCC) was isolated from shrimp cephalopods to investigate its quality. The aim of the article is to evaluate the quality of lipid-carotenoid concentrate of Black Sea shrimp P. adspersus Rathke, 1837 by the method of creating a spectrum of flavor and a set of physicochemical parameters. Methods. The object of study – shrimp Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837, spring (May) and autumn (September) catch in 2020 near the northwestern Black Sea coast of Odessa region. Sensory characteristics of LCC were determined by the method of creating a flavor spectrum, physicochemical parameters – by standard methods, carotenoid content – by spectrophotometric method. Commercial krill fish oil was used as a control sample. Results. Descriptors have been developed to characterize the intensity of odor, taste and consistency of LCC. The method of creating the spectrum of flavor proved that the LCC isolated from the autumn period of shrimp fishing was characterized by the highest scores of all descriptors of odor, taste and consistency in comparison with the control and the LCC from the spring catch. Tasting assessment of LCC is consistent with a set of physico-chemical quality indicators (carotenoids, PUFA (iodine value), low levels of peroxide, acid and thiobarbitur numbers). Conclusions. Lipid-carotenoid concentrate from inedible parts of the body of the Black Sea shrimp Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837 in different periods of fishing is characterized by high tasting properties in terms of odor, taste and consistency, which are characteristic of lipids from crustaceans. Physico-chemical quality indicators indicate the high biological value of this product.

Salinization and ilimerization processes in the soils of the river valleys of the north-western Black Sea coast

Salinization and ilimerization processes in the soils of the river valleys of the north-western Black Sea coast

FRONTIER DYNAMICS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATIC CHANGE

Climatic changes (aridization) in the Early Bronze Age allowed the population of the North-Western Black Sea coast to use natural resources in a greater volume than before. On the one hand, steppe ecosystems were such resources. The expansion of the steppe zone and its transformation stimulated the development of cattle-breeding economy. Therefore, part of the agricultural Late Tripolye population chose to change territory (relocation to the Northwestern Black Sea coast) and switch to a new for themselves economic and cultural type (mobile cattle breeding) to overcome the crisis situation. In our opinion, the analysis of the archaeological sources and the cultural and ecological situation indicate that the North-Western Frontier can be attributed to the cattle-breeding type. Taking into account the analysis of the colonization attractors and the relations between the newcomers (Yamna culture) and the local population in the zone of the Balkan-Carpathian Frontier, we can conclude that it belongs to the trade type. Apparently, the population, having advanced from the North-Western Black Sea coast, built peaceful relations with its partners, organically fitting into the context of the communities of South-Eastern Europe. Consideration of interrelations of the Yamna culture population with the autochthonous population demonstrates the multivariance of contacts and the absence of uniform norms and scenarios. Each micro-region had its own peculiarities, which do not indicate the replacement of the local population by aliens. The conclusions of geneticists about the total migration of the Yamna population to Central and Southeastern Europe, which led to the replacement of genetics and the formation of new cultures, can be refuted not only in terms of archaeology, but also in the framework of the frontier theory. The starting point of the frontier is the meeting of different communities and the interaction between them, which leads to processes of transformation. This is why understanding the frontier as a process allows researchers to move from its spatial localization to the social aspect. The theory of the frontier opens wide prospects for historical and archaeological research.

Studying of Local Ancient Greek Pottery of Olbia and Borysthenes (Historiographical Aspect)

The article is devoted to the studying of antient Greek pottery on the example of the centers of the Lower Buh River region in the works of Ukrainian and foreign scholars. An analysis of publications on the production of local ceramics, production areas of Olbia and the settlement on Berezan island at different times is offered; the main tendencies of studying the raw material base of the region are considered. The article was prepared as a part of the Scientific and Research Work (SRW) of young researchers of the NAS of Ukraine 2021—2022: «Raw material base as a factor in the development of pottery of the antient centers of the North-Western Black Sea Coast (Olbia and Berezan)» (state registration No. 0121U112024).

FRONTIER PHENOMENON IN A SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT

Vitalij V. Otroschenko made a great contribution to the study of Copper and Bronze Age cultures in Ukraine. His researches of absolute and relative chronology, cultural changes and cultural coexistence have particular interest in the context of this article. They allow a reader to focus more reasonably on cultural and historical processes of North-Western Black Sea and Balkan-Carpathian regions staying within the frame of the frontier theory.
 Most of researchers on the topic consider the «frontier» as a special zone of interference of different cultures. The frontier is also meant a special area where several cultures meet, shaping new socio-cultural relations. The frontier differs from deeper territory in higher mobility, where movement of large groups of people create new forms of cultural and social contacts. The system of intercultural communication depends on many factors, including the history of formation of the cultural landscape of the territory where intercultural communication is taking place.
 Originally, the concept of «frontier» was applied exclusively to American history, but now we meet it in works related to the history of Ukraine. The situation of the frontier zone has begun to attract archeologists though in a rather narrow area concerning social changes (in the context of anthropological archeology).
 The special nature of the source base of history and archaeology, especially in the preliterate period, determines similarities and differences of frontier problems studying by these sciences. The specificity of archaeological artefacts, on which the study of archaeological cultures relies to a large extent, must also be taken into account: they can spread over quite long distances in the means of exchange, without people movement.
 In archaeological research of European Bronze Age, the Pit Grave (Yamnaya) culture is in the great importance; interest towards it has been reinforced by the latest genetic research. The mobility of society, innovation in the material culture of its western range allowed us to consider the Pit Grave cultural and historical community within the frontier theory.
 At the same time, the comparison of two adjacent frontier zones (North-Western Black Sea Coast and Balkan-Carpathian area) made it possible to compare their common and special traits, in the context of their interconnection and mutual influences, taking into account the aspect of social identification.

Историко-географическая эволюция Бессарабии по сведениям старинных карт

Problems of research of the territorial development of the old-developed regions are due to the duration and extraordinary saturation of historical processes that flowed and continue in them. The study of changes in the territories of states and various entities is important not only for understanding the past: local and regional conflicts whose roots often go deep into centuries, remain for a long time and continue these days, territorial claims are relevant now. This is especially evident on the example of such regions of oldest development, as the Black Sea region. Historic-cartographical studies, systematization of previously known and newly identified sources, the analysis of old geographical maps and plans allow us to form a holistic picture of the evolution of space, its territorial structure, as well as the functional role of one or another place in the past and present. In the article on the example of Bessarabia—the historic-geographical region of the North-Western Black Sea coast—the most important cartographic works presented, being key for certain stages of its historic-geographical evolution and development of cartography as a whole: the Antiquity and the Middle Ages (when the first geographical maps appeared), the 15th–18th centuries (when the toponym under study was first applied into maps, and detailed topographic maps began to be created) and the 19th–20th centuries (when political events again changed the semantics of the toponym Bessarabia). It is shown how geographical representations of the region transformed during different historical periods. The content of the toponym denoting region is considered, at different times related to different sections of the Black Sea coast and included various territories, as well as its use today as a political tool reflecting actual territorial claims.

Modern dynamics in main climate characteristics at sites of North-Western Black Sea coast

The aim of the study is to determine statistical estimates for the distributions of average monthly and annual temperatures, as well as monthly and annual precipitation for the North-Western Black Sea coast during the climatic change intensification epoch. Parameters of the normal distribution for temperature, two- and three-parametric gamma distribution for precipitation, as well as trend characteristics, are analyzed. To determine the deviation of the values from the previous climatic period, the data of the Climate Cadastre of Ukraine (1961–1990) were used.
 The results of the statistical analysis show that steady trend towards an increase in annual air temperatures exists at all stations during the period (2000-2018). In the time course of these characteristics, there is a clearly pronounced separation into two periods with the transition point in 2007. The average monthly air temperatures for the period generally exceed the same values for 1961-1990, and this is especially evident for the summer months.
 Time distributions of monthly precipitation are spatially heterogeneous. It was found for Odesa that the maxima are observed in January, July and September, in contrast to other stations, at which the maximum amount of precipitation is registered in the summer months. Also, at the Odesa, the monthly precipitation in most months exceeds the same values for 1961-1990. Annual precipitation during 2000-2018 has a lot of regularities and differences, among which, for example, a common feature is the presence of maxima in 2010. In accordance with the general period trend characteristics, a tendency to an increase in the annual precipitation was found in the very south (Izmail station) only, and it has been especially pronounced since 2009. However, their mean values are lesser than in the Climate Cadastre of Ukraine; this is also observed for the stations Lyubashivka and Mykolaiv. On the contrary, at stations located on the coast (Odesa, Ochakiv), the annual precipitation exceeds of values from the Cadastre.
 Based on the analysis carried out, it can be concluded that all persistent tendencies to changes in the values of the considered climatic characteristics are associated with a possible change in the atmospheric circulation over the considered territory.

Видове різноманіття водоростей малих річок Північно-Західного Причорномор'я

The article presents the results of research on the species diversity of algae of small steppe rivers of the north-western Black Sea coast (NWBS). These are the rivers of Kohylnyk, Chaha, Sarata, Hadjider, Kuchurhan, Yahorlyk, Baraboy, Veliky Kuyalnik, Maly Kuyalnik, Kodyma, Tylihul, Tsarehol, Chichikleya. A total of 329 species (340 infraspecific taxa) of algae belonging to 8 divisions (Bacillariophyta, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Euglenozoa, Ochrophyta, Charophyta, Dinophyta and Rhodophyta) were identified. The basis of the taxonomic structure of reservoirs are representatives of Bacillariophyta (40%), Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta (17% each), Charophyta (10.5%), Euglenozoa (10.2%). The total share of other departments is 4.1%. The Tylihul River had the most diverse composition of algae. It is one of the largest small rivers in the region, which dries up every year for a short period. According to the Sørensen-Chekanovsky coefficient, the greatest degree of similarity of the floristic composition of algae was established by pairwise comparison of the rivers of Sarata–Kohylnyk (0.614), Sarata–Hadjider (0.544), and Kohylnyk–Hadjider (0.517). These reservoirs are located in the Danube–Dniester interfluve, have almost the same mineralization and a similar hydrological regime. Among the identified algae species, only 12 are common to all studied rivers. New records for the NWBS were Peranema pleururum Skuja, Phacus platyaulax Pochmann, Monomorphina pyrum (Ehrenberg) Mereschkowsky and Euglena van-goori Deflandre. A rare species Spirulina flavovirens Wisl. was found in in the Kohylnyk River. Anabaena bergii Ostenfeld, Phacus alatus G.A.Klebs, Monomorphina pyrum, Pleurosira laevis (Ehrenberg) Compère, Campylodiscus bicostatus Smith ex Roper, Closterium dianae Ehrenb. ex Ralfs and Batrachospermum gelatinosum (Linnaeus) De Candolle are regionally rare species. In the ecological aspect, the waters of the studied small rivers can be characterized as brackish, poorly flowing, and alkaline. According to the level of organic pollution, they correspond to the β-mesosaprobic zone.