Issues of Studying Early Neolithic Dwellings of the Lower and Middle Volga Region

Abstract

Analysis of problematic issues of studying the Late Stone Age dwellings from the Northern Caspian to the Kama forest region is made in the paper. The dwelling is considered one of the composite components of the archaeological culture. Previously, researchers focused mainly on ceramic and stone tools. The dwelling issue as a cultural indicator in the Late Stone Age remained open. The background is defined by searching for a new cognitive capacity for a comprehensive analysis of the archaeological culture. Dwelling characteristics in various landscape zones are presented. Simultaneous dwelling complexes were compared, which made it possible to identify peculiar features for each territory. A comparison was made on the basis of a broad cultural and territorial background. Characteristic features for different periods of cultural development within the same region were revealed. Dwellings design features in semi-desert, steppe, forest-steppe and forest areas were identified.

Keywords

• archaeology
• volga region
• neolithic
• archaeological culture
• dwelling
• periodization
• reconstruction