Northern Caucasus Research Articles

Using isotope methods to study alpine headwater regions in the Northern Caucasus and Tien Shan

High mountain areas provide water resources for a large share of the world’s population. The ongoing deglaciation of these areas is resulting in great instability of mountainous headwater regions, which could significantly affect water supply and intensify dangerous hydrological processes.

«Dark Ages» of Golden Horde at Southern Rus Lands: Historical and Archaeological Context

The historic period between the 1240s and the 1360s in homeland history is a time of the Eastern Slavs’ subjection to the Mongol and Tatar conquerors at the south of former Kyiv Rus. It is often called the «Dark Ages»; and there is comparatively few information about it in the written sources of that time. However, in view of intensive accumulation of archaeological information in recent decades, the situation has significantly changed. First of all, it concerns migration of new ethnic groups into the lands of the Black Sea north region from the eastern regions: the Volga River region, the Northern Caucasus, an other regions which already have got into dependence on the Mongols and Tatars. There were also micro migrations among the autochthons, namely, the Eastern Slavs who earlier lived on the Ancient Rus state territory. Significant for these centuries was the formation of the relations on the trade routes with traffic guaranteed by the Ghengizids, the Great Ghengiz Khan’s relatives. The descendants of his eldest son were his representatives in Ulus of Jochi. One of the results of this fact was appearance of so-called steppe cities, urban centres absolutely untypical for other nomad societies. Besides, such contacts are evidenced also by numerous elements of also untypical for these places features of material culture (ceramics and other crafts, coins, and other artefacts). The Slavs contacted with the newcomers, but probably in most cases these interrelations were peaceful. It is evidenced by the lack of fortifications at the Slavs’ sites, as well as by mixed anthropological structure of the population in various regions of the modern Ukrainian territory. It also should be noted that Ancient Rus lands did not indirectly formed Ulus of Jochi, but were under the conquerors’ control. As a whole, the «Dark Ages» being studied in more detail at an up to date scientific level appear to be not so «dark», though acquiring the further study.

Contemporary State of the Elbrus Volcanic Center (The Northern Caucasus)

The Elbrus volcanic center is located in southern Russia on the northern slope of the main ridge of the Greater Caucasus. Current classifications define Elbrus as a dormant volcano that could become active even after millennia of quiescence. In this study, we use two new geophysical methods to assess the contemporary state of the Elbrus volcano. The first method is based on an evaluation of parameters of resonant modes “reemitted” by the resonant structure (i.e., volcanic chamber) in response to the excitation of a seismic impact and recorded by a precise laser interferometer–strainmeter. The second method is based on low-frequency microseismic sounding and allows determination of the deep structure of complicated geological objects. Our study locates the magma chamber at depths of 1–8 km and extended magma source at depths of 15–40 km beneath the Elbrus eastern summit. An unknown magmatic structure, comparable to the Elbrus magmatic structure but currently much colder, was also identified 50 km from Mt. Elbrus. Based on our analysis, we assess the Elbrus volcano to be currently in a quasi-stable state of thermodynamic equilibrium.

The Factor of Slave Trade in the Russian Politics in the Northern Caucasus

The Factor of Slave Trade in the Russian Politics in the Northern Caucasus

Morphological and Anatomical Study of the leaves of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae), growing in the Introduction of the Northern Caucasus region (Russia)

In this article results of morphological and anatomical research Laurus nobilis L. are resulted. These plants are growing in the conditions of culture in the Botanical garden of Pyatigorsk medical and pharmaceutical institute (Northern Caucasus region). Introduction: Laurus nobilis L. is grown up as a decorative species in Europe, RUSSIA, the USA and other countries. Chemical composition of the leaves is characterized by essential oil components, sesquiterpene lactones, phenolic and other compounds. Material And Methods: Micro morphological research of vegetative bodies was carried out with the help of a well-known technique. We carry out morphological and anatomical research of a leaf blade and a petiole of a leaf of a plant, which is grown up in a Botanical garden in the Pyatigorsk medical and pharmaceutical institute. Results: The diagnostic characteristics of a leaf blade necessary for an establishment of authenticity of raw materials are revealed. The leaf is hypostomal, dorsoventral, stomatal apparatus of paracytic type. The idioblasts with the essential oil are obtained between mesophyll cells. Idioblasts thin-walled, large enough. In the field of the main vein under an epidermis the collenchyma of lamellar type in 4-7 layers settles down. The leaf petiole on cross-section section has the saddle-like form, without a ledge on the abaxial side of leaf. Under an epidermis the parenchyma settles down, is presented by live cells of the roundish or oval form. Between parenchyma cells it is possible to observe numerous cells-idioblasts with contents of yellow colour. Conclusions: As diagnostic signs of leaf (a leaf blade and a petiole) it is possible to consider numerous cells - idioblasts with an essential oil, the leaf is hypostomatical, dorsoventral, stomatal apparatus of paracytic type. The idioblasts with the essential oil are obtained between mesophyll cells.

Formalized clustering and significant earthquake-prone areas in the Crimean Peninsula and Northwest Caucasus

With the use of the modified version of the original algorithmic Formalized Clustering and Zoning (FCAZ) system, the areas prone to the probable emergence of the epicenters of significant earthquakes are recognized in the joint region of the Crimea and western part of the Northern Caucasus. The selection of this region is justified by the tectonic structure and the presence of the active junction zone of the meganticlinoria. The reliability of the obtained recognition is substantiated by the comparative analysis of the actual and random FCAZ-recognition. For the first time, the problem of recognizing the locations of the probable emergence of the earthquakes' epicenters is solved for two different magnitude thresholds. This allows us to interpret the areas prone to the probable emergence of the epicenters of significant earthquakes as fuzzy sets.

TRANSCENDING THE HUMAN/NON-HUMAN DIVIDE

This article focuses on the analysis of the geo-politics and body-politics of being, and perception as the key concepts in the decolonial option grounded in the spatiality and corporeality of our cognitive and perceptive mechanisms. Revived spatiality refers in this case not only to a physical space that we inhabit but also to our bodies as specific spatial entities – the privileged white male bodies or the damned, non-white, dehumanized and often gendered and sexualized bodies from the underside of modernity. The article presents a decolonial interpretation of the human/non-human binary aimed at rethinking the fundamental modern/colonial division into anthropos and humanitas and the subsequent animalization of large human groups. The main questions are then what does it mean to be animalized by and in modernity and what ways out are possible, desired and attainable for the dehumanized others? The main goal of the article is to further question liberal Western humanism from a decolonial perspective, without yet dropping this concept altogether, and considering instead another humanism model suggested by Sylvia Wynter. Contemporary critical anti-humanist and “other humanism” theories often find a much more accurate and immediate realization through artistic metaphors and activist art projects than traditional theory, problematizing the border between the human and the animal, the man-made and the natural, the individual and the communal. Therefore, the article dwells at some length on one such project balancing between art and critical anthropology – the works of the Northern Caucasus decolonial artist Taus Makhacheva.

Thermophilic microorganisms in arable land around medieval archaeological sites in Northern Caucasus, Russia: Novel evidence of past manuring practices

AbstractThermophilic microorganisms in the soils of medieval cultivated fields located within the Kislovodsk Basin (Northern Caucasus, Russia) were selected as a means for the reconstruction of manuring practices. Thermophilic bacteria are specific groups of microorganisms that develop in manure during the composting process when temperatures reach 60–70°C. The abundance of this type of bacteria in soils depends greatly on the intensity of farming practices. In medieval cultivated soils (Alanic Culture, A.D. 500–800), high numbers of thermophilic bacteria were observed, indicating the long‐term use of manure. In arable lands near Alanic settlements, the abundance of thermophilic bacteria decreased significantly with distance from the sites. The highest abundance of thermophilic bacteria was observed in the 500 m zone adjacent to the sites. Moreover, the highest concentration of thermophilic microorganisms was found in the soil within an Alanic corral. We suggest that dung accumulated in the paddock for a long time. Abundance of thermophilic microorganisms at archaeological sites could be used as a new indicator of the application of decomposed manure to ancient and medieval arable soils.

The ammonoid genus Spiroceras (Spiroceratidae, Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

Ammonites of the genus Spiroceras are described from the Upper Bajocian of the Kyafar River Basin (Karachay-Cherkessia), including macroconchs with preserved apertures and (for the first time in the entire history of the study of Middle Jurassic heteromorphs) microconchs with lateral lappets. The microconchs of S. bispinatum (Baugier et Sauze), mainly represented by cyrtocones with one ventral row of nodes, correspond to microconchs with a gyroconic shell and a single row of nodes. Macroconchs and microconchs of S. annulatum (Deshayes), the ribs of which lack prominent nodes or spines, are found together. The assemblage also contains small-sized slightly uncoiled shells of Spiroceras aff. S. fourneti Roman et Petouraud with widely spaced ribs and two prominent rows of large nodes, presumably macro- and microconchs. The ornamentation of this species resembles that of the monomorph Bajocia rarinoda Sturani from the upper part of the Lower Bajocian; perhaps the latter was ancestral to the Middle Jurassic heteromorph. The above species of Spiroceras, as well as S. obliquecostatum (Quenstedt), are figured.

A survey of the Holarctic genus Arctella Holm, 1945 (Araneae: Dictynidae, Tricholathysinae), with the description of Tricholathys ovtchinnikovi sp. n.

The study of two species placed in Arctella Holm, 1945, A. lapponica Holm, 1945, and A. subnivalis Ovtchinnikov, 1989, revealed that the latter species belongs to the genus Tricholathys. A new combination is suggested: Tricholathys subnivalis (Ovtchinnikov, 1989) comb. n. The record of Arctella subnivalis from the Northern Caucasus was found to be based on a misidentification and refers to Tricholathys ovtchinnikovi sp. n. All three species are illustrated and described. A new diagnosis is provided for Arctella. Two previously unknown characters were found in the male palp of Arctella and Tricholathys: a large cavity on the mesal side of the tibial apophysis, and a digitiform or spur-like outgrowth on the conductor.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C118569F-2C5C-4204-A1BC-8595B966A914

PECULIARITIES OF THE CONFESSIONAL POLICY IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS DURING THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

This article discusses the features of confessional policy against the Orthodox, Protestant, Muslim, etc. religious communities of the North Caucasus during the great patriotic war. It is noted that in this period religious course was spared from severe forms, specific to the 30-ies of XX century. The article’s authors special attention in the work given to the occupation period. It is proved that the German authorities, with a view to legitimizing the new regime, supported the development of religious life: the opening of places of worship, free activity of priests who had loyal attitude invaders. However, to use the religious factor to divide the people the fascists succeeded only partially. The vast majority of religious organizations have made a significant contribution to the victory over the enemy, providing various forms of assistance to the front. The article The article emphasizes the unique position of church Renovationism in the Northern Caucasus, disclosed the reasons for his successful diffusion. The work assesses the initiatives of the Soviet power regarding the establishment centralized management structures of religious cults. Describes the activities of the spiritual administration of Muslims of the Northern Caucasus that existed in the town of Buynaksk. It is noted that the Soviet government had an ambivalent attitude to non-traditional religious movements. Some of them were recognized as antisocial and have not received the registration. In this number were Pentecostals, Jehovah's witnesses who refused to perform military service in connection with spiritual beliefs, etc. Concludes that, despite positive developments in the field of religious policy in the post-war period, there was a disruption constructive state confessional dialogue. Substantiates the prospect of further study of the topic, with the purpose of filling existing gaps.

Atmospheric chemical composition of the peculiar carbon giant TU Gem

The evolutionary status of the bright peculiar carbon giant TU Gemis fairly uncertain. The possibility that this is aCH star—aGalactic halo star with characteristic chemical-composition anomalies—is considered. Unfortunately, data on the atmospheric chemical composition of TUGem are relatively few and are ambiguous. The results of an analysis of a moderate-resolution optical and near-infrared spectrum of TU Gem obtained on the 2-m telescope of Terskol Peak Observatory (Northern Caucasus) is presented. The atmospheric parameters of TU Gem Teff = 3100 K, C/O = 1.10, and [N/Fe] = 0.0 for the derived metallicity [Fe/H] = 0.0 are taken from [1]. The abundances of Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, and Cr are estimated to be normal or slightly enhanced, and the lithium abundance is log N(Li) = +0.1. The abundances of s-process elements are substantially enhanced in the atmosphere of TU Gem, namely, [s/Fe] ≈ 2, for both light and heavy s-process elements. The range of uncertainty in [Fe/H] is 0.0−0.3, and the uncertainties in other estimates are Δ[M/Fe]≈ ±0.3 and Δ[s/Fe] = ±0.5. The results show that TU Gem is an anomalous carbon giant, but not a CH star.

On the Typology of Immigrant Slavic Dialects in Russia

The purpose of this research is to introduce a typology of immigrant Slavic dialects spoken in the Russian Federation. The paper deals with two Czech and two Polish dialects located in the Northern Caucasus and in Siberia and with the West Ukrainian patois of Siberian Hollanders. The author outlines primarily the internal linguistic typology of those patois, including a comparative structural analysis. All of the dialects examined here show good preservation of their original dialectal systems and, at the same time, they have been strongly influenced by their language surroundings, first and foremost by regional varieties of Russian. In some aspects of their systems, however, certain developments indicate evidence of the relatively high vitality of these patois.

Связь коллективных эмоций вины и стыда с установками к аутгруппам в российском контексте

This research explores group-based emotions of guilt and shame in the Russian context. The aim was to reveal the relations between these emotions and outgroup attitudes in individuals with different degrees of collective identity strength. The survey was carried out on the sample of Russian people (N = 89; 53,9% females; average age 35 years). The respondents were asked to answer questions concerning their experiences of group-based emotions of guilt, moral shame and image shame in relation to the deportation of Chechen and Ingush populations of the Northern Caucasus during the World War II. We measured outgroup attitudes towards groups both related (Caucasus populations) and unrelated (migrants) to emotion-provoking events; general attitude towards multiculturalism; and strength of collective identity. The results show that the experiences of guilt and moral shame are positively correlated both with the attitudes towards Caucasus populations (0,396*** and 0,304*** respectively) and with the attitudes towards migrants (0,330*** and 0,322*** respectively). Image shame is positively correlated only with the attitudes to migrants (0,326**). It was also found that collective identity moderates these relations: there were no correlations found between emotions and attitudes in the group of subjects with stronger collective identity.

Кавказ актуален во все времена

The article is devoted to the “artistic transcription”, the perception which is connected with the image transformation of the modern Northern Caucasus. A.V. Kostynin is familiar with the Caucasus, he likes it passionately and perceives it not with a great impression, which lets see only surface of everything and makes express the delight by crying, but with the close feeling, which penetrates into the essence and depth of the subject which reflects life, traditions and morals. Wanderings are rich of a specific atmosphere. They can make a reader feel himself in the Caucasus, learn about the modern lifestyle, basing on the author’s personal view. An attempt was made with the purpose to control the development of Dagestan’s image: from a negative and estranged perception to a romantic admiration.

Instrumental observations of geomagnetic disturbances prior to seismic events in several regions of China

The paper presents results of instrumental observations of seismic processes and variations in the Earth’s magnetic field at the stages of nucleation and development of earthquakes in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan. Data on manifestations of all these strong seismic events are indicated. Monitoring of the changes in the magnetic field is based on data obtained at the Northern Caucasus Geophysical Observatory, IPE RAS and integrated observation points of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, the Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation, RAS (IZMIRAN). The experimental results have allowed us to represent the structure of induced anomalous geomagnetic disturbances, which can be associated with the development of related geodynamic processes in the geological medium of the seismic source zone.

The genus Parmelina (Parmeliaceae) in the Russian Caucasus

The present study provides a brief survey of the genus Parmelina in the Russian Caucasus (Western Transcaucasia, Western, Central and Eastern Caucasus) with a special emphasis on species distribution. The study area is located in the largest nature reserves of the Russian Caucasus — Kavkazskiy, Utrish, Severo-Osetinskiy, Erzi. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the genus in the Caucasus, focusing mainly on the author’s collections in different regions of the Northern Caucasus in 2008–2016. Four species have been identified from the Russian Caucasus — Parmelina carporrhizans, P. pastillifera, P. quercina and P. tiliacea. Notes on their morphology, anatomy, ecology and distribution are based on data obtained from a study of ca. 20 specimens of each species. The presence of whitish macules on the upper surface of P. carporrhizans (after Clerc, Truong, 2008) as an important diagnostic feature was shown. The Caucasian material shows the differences in size and proportions of ascospores, size and shape of pycnoconidia between critical species P. carporrhizans and P. quercina. An identification key for Caucasian Parmelina species is composed for the first time and can be used for central regions of Russia.

Reflection of seismic paleoevents in Mesozoic–Cenozoic terrigenous sequences of the northern Caucasus

Numerous traces of paleoseismic events (seismites) were established in Mesozoic–Cenozoic marine sedimentary sequences of the northern Caucasus. These traces are most prominent in the terrigenous Middle Miocene sandy–clayey sediments. Impact of seismic shocks upon the relatively weakly lithified sediments provoked distortion of the primary sedimentary structure, liquefaction of the sandy material, and injections of different morphologies (neptunic dikes and sills). The formation of jointing in sediments fostered their vertical permeability and promoted the migration of diagenetic solutions into the adjacent horizons, which stimulated the formation of subvertical carbonate bodies. The amount and intensity of seismic events varied at different stages of the accumulation of sequences and in different areas of the paleobasin. In the eastern sector of the northern Caucasus, seismic activity similar to the present-day general pattern was likely developed as early as the Middle Miocene: maximum activity in the Dagestan and its westward attenuation. Traces of seismic activity are also recorded in the Maikopian (Oligocene–Lower Miocene) and Lower–Middle Jurassic rocks.

Asylum seekers alleging torture in their countries: Evaluation of a French center

Materials and methodsOver a 6-year period, 570 survivors gave consent to this study and were examined by forensic medical doctors in academic French hospital. They evaluated with the aim of cataloguing the physical evidence of torture. Sociological data, declared violence (single physical altercation, repeated physical violence less than one year or more than one year, incarceration not more than one week or more than 1 week), and method of violence (blows by blunt object, crushing, burns, electrical shocks, attempted drowning, smothering, incision, or gunshot) were studied. An association between victims' statements and physical evidence of torture was determined. Results70% were male with an average age of 31.9 years and ages between 1 and 70 years old. Dagestan, Guinea-Conakry and Guinea-Bissau were the countries most represented among asylum seekers. Beatings were reported by 27.89%, confinement was reported by 40.22%, and repeated violence by 30.16% of refugees. The average time interval between the first assault and forensic evaluation was 53 months. Forms of torture reported included: blunt force trauma (82.51%) truncheon blows (27.50%), arm incision (30%), and burns (16.3%). Statistically, truncheon blows were experienced more often by males in confinement due to political conflict. The use of crushing methods and electrical shocks also were experienced more often by males during confinement. Victims who had received incision wounds were significantly younger. Gunshots were statistically associated with male survivors of political conflict. Men experienced drowning and electrical shocks while in confinement in the Balkans, Asia, and Russia. Electrical shocks were reported by males during confinement and in northern Caucasus countries. The association was significant between assertions of burns and the presence of cutaneous scars (p = 0.0105); similarly, assertions of incision wounds were significantly corroborated by evidence of scars (p = 0.0009). DiscussionAsylum seekers assessed were usually young men. Beatings with blunt objects were the most often reported form of torture used during episodes of repeated violence and during confinement. Assertions of burns were not associated with any particular circumstances. Electrical shocks were reported during confinement and most often in countries of the northern Caucasus. Attempted drowning, smothering, and shocking were noted, but these methods typically do not leave physical evidence. Wounds resulting from burns and incisions usually leave scars that corroborate refugee statements. Torture by crushing and gunshot were reported by asylum seekers for the first time. ConclusionInvestigation of the types of torture and circumstances under which torture occurs is critical for efficient forensic evaluation of claims of torture experienced by asylum seekers.

Centipedes (Chilopoda) from the Stavropol Territory, northern Caucasus, Russia

Centipedes (Chilopoda) from the Stavropol Territory, northern Caucasus, Russia