IN-GROUND CEMETERY OF THE SCYTHIAN PERIOD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KSIZOVO IN THE UPPER DON REGION (NEW DATA)

Комплекс памятников конца V - III в. до н. э., расположенный на р. Дон у с. Ксизово в Задонском районе Липецкой обл., включает городище, селище и грунтовый могильник. В результате радиоуглеродного датирования и анализа вещевых находок к названным столетиям отнесено пять захоронений, ранее соотносимых с гуннским временем. В итоге стало известно 17 погребений скифской эпохи, включая два парных. В них по обряду ингумации и в сопровождении довольно скудного инвентаря (стрелы, браслеты, серьги, бусы, пряслица) были захоронены 9 мужчин, 9 женщин и ребенок. Данные бескурганные комплексы дают представление о погребальных традициях оседлого населения донской лесостепи. The studied group of sites dating to the end of 5 - 3 cc. BC is located on the Don river near the village of Ksizovo in the Zadonsk district, Lipetsk region. The group includes a fortified settlement, an unfortified settlement and an in-ground cemetery. The radiocarbon dating and analysis of the found artifacts refer the five graves earlier dated to the Hun period to the above-mentioned centuries. Today the number of the Scythian graves totals 17, including two double burials. Nine males, nine females and one child were buried in these graves performed according to the inhumation funerary rite with rather scarce funeral offerings (arrowheads, bracelets, pendants, beads, spindle whorls). These burial sites without kurgans give an insight into funerary traditions of the sedentary population inhabiting the Don forest-steppe belt.

Early Sarmatian Burials from the Chechen Republic Territory

In 2018, Kurgan 2 of Gvardeyskiye 3 Kurgany (the 3rd Gvardeiskiy Kurgans) in the Nadterechny District of the Chechen Republic was studied. In the result, nine burials were found in the Kurgan which was created during the Early Bronze Age and continued to be used in the course of the Middle and Late Bronze Age. However, the three most recent burials date back to the Early Iron Age period. The burials were localized inside the existing embankment and formed a compact group. In two cases, the burial type was not identified; nevertheless in one case, the burial was constructed in a catacomb. The grave goods are mainly presented by ceramic vessels from the workshops of the sedentary population from the foothill area of Central and Eastern North Caucasus regions. The conclusion was made that the investigated Kurgans were left by the nomadic North Caucasian steppes population of the 3rd–1st centuries BC due to the feature analysis of the Early Iron Age burial complexes.

Kurgan-Cemeteries of Central and Eastern Regions of North Caucasus 3rd Century BC – Early 2nd Century AD (Monuments Chegem-Manaskent Type)

The article is devoted to analysis of materials from kurgan-cemeteries of the foothill zone of Central and Eastern North Caucasus regions (from Kabardino-Balkaria to Caspian Dagestan) dating back to the 3rd century BC – early (first half) 2nd century AD. These sites were earlier referred to as the Chegem-Manaskent type. Main diagnostic features of these sites are similar traditions of the funeral rite and the ceramic complex. The formation of the Chegem-Manaskent cultural monuments includes the material culture, determined by traditions of the North Caucasian sedentary population, and the funeral rite based on customs of the nomadic population of the North Caucasian steppes of the early Sarmatian period. The original territory of Chegem-Manaskent culture of monuments formation was the area from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic to the western part of the Chechen Republic. The kurgan cemeteries of the Caspian Dagestan were the result of the migration of Chegem-Manaskent culture carriers in this direction. The cultural traditions of the population formed a specific basis of the early Alanian culture of the North Caucasus (2nd–4th AD); their genetic connection is witnessed by similar funeral rite (burial in type I catacombs) and in the ceramic complex. So, the monuments of the Chegem-Manasket type underlie the formation of the monuments of the Podkumok-Khumara type, with which they are connected by the use of a catacomb burial rite with the repeated use of chamber for new graves and a ceramic complex. In addition, the ceramic complex of monuments of the circle of the Andreiauli settlement largely goes back to the ceramic tradition of antiquities Chegem-Manasket circle, complicated by the morphological influences of the tradition of Caucasian Albania including the use of the transformed catacomb burial rite with multiple use of chamber graves and the ceramic complex.

RITUAL PITS AT THE MIDDLE DON SETTLEMENTS OF THE SCYTHIAN PERIOD

На городищах и селищах скифоидной культуры, существовавших в VIIII вв. до н. э. в лесостепной части бассейна Дона, фактически не были известны сооружения культового назначения. Для выявления таковых были проанализированы имеющиеся поселенческие материалы. Оказалось, что не менее 16 ям, открытых на шести памятниках и считавшихся хозяйственными, необходимо интерпретировать как ритуальные комплексы. Основанием для этого послужили специфичные находки и стратиграфия. Семь ям содержали человеческие кости вместе с костями животных и фрагментами керамики. В другие в качестве вотивных приношений были помещены наконечники стрел и копья, орудия труда, глиняные поделки и сосуды, нередко преднамеренно разбитые. Есть немногочисленные ритуальные захоронения собак. Как правило, в ямах имеются следы костров или продукты горения. Более половины сооружений найдены на Семилукском городище. Они, несомненно, были связаны с размещавшимися там же массовыми захоронениями. С выделением серии культовых комплексов появилась совершенно новая информация о сакральной сфере жизни оседлого населения региона. In reality, religious constructions have not been found at Scythoid hillforts and unfortified settlements in the forest-steppe belt of the Don basin. Settlement materials were analyzed to identify such constructions. The analysis demonstrated that at least 16 pits (Figs. 1-3) discovered at six sites that were considered to be of household character are to be interpreted as ritual complexes. Specific finds and stratigraphy were used to justify this conclusion. Seven pits contained human bones along with animal bones and ceramic fragments. Arrowheads and spearheads, implements, clay objects and vessels which were, in many cases, deliberately broken (Figs. 4; 5) were placed into some pits as votive offerings. There are some ritual burials of dogs that are few in number. Pits tend to show traces of fire or combustion products. More than half of such constructions were found at Semiluki. They are definitely associated with mass burials located at this settlement. Now that a series of religious complexes has been singled out, we have absolutely new information on sacral life of the sedentary population living in this region

Plasticity in female timing may explain current shifts in breeding phenology of a North American songbird

Climate change has driven changes in breeding phenology. Identifying the magnitude of phenological shifts and whether selection in response to climate change drives these shifts is key for determining species’ reproductive success and persistence in a changing world.We investigated reproductive timing in a primarily sedentary population of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) over 32 years. We predicted that juncos would breed earlier in warmer springs in response to selection favouring earlier breeding.To test this prediction, we compared the annual median date for reproductive onset (i.e., egg one date) to monthly spring temperatures and examined evidence for selection favouring earlier breeding and for plasticity in timing.Egg one dates occurred earlier over time, with the timing of breeding advancing up to 24 days over the 32-year period. Breeding timing also strongly covaried with maximum April temperature. We found significant overall selection favouring earlier breeding (i.e., higher relative fitness with earlier egg one dates) that became stronger over time, but strength of selection was not predicted by temperature. Lastly, individual females exhibited plastic responses to temperature across years.Our findings provide further evidence that phenotypic plasticity plays a crucial role in driving phenological shifts in response to climate change. For multi-brooded bird populations, a warming climate might extend the breeding season and provide more opportunities to re-nest rather than drive earlier breeding in response to potential phenological mismatches. However, as plasticity will likely be insufficient for long-term survival in the face of climate change, further research in understanding the mechanisms of female reproductive timing will be essential for forecasting the effects of climate change on population persistence.

"Among the troops he chose brave warriors, who were battling through ranks...". On Some Peculiar Aspects of Amir Timur's Tactical Art

This article revises the peculiarities of Amir Timur's army tactical peculiarities, as well as their influence on the development of martial art of the Muslim East. It is established that Timur effectively used the mobilization potential of his state. The sedentary population of Chorasa and Transoxiana formed the infantry archery units who were taught to fight under cover of large standing shields - chapars. At the same time, loyal nomad tribes were the source of horse cavalry for the Timur's army. The base of battle formation was represented by a tactical "skeleton" formed of forced kanbuls, powerful advance guard and a reserve (that included elite warriors). Such battle formation allowed Timur to effectively face outflanking and frontal attacks of the enemy. Besides, such battle formation also fit for quick shift from defense to massive counterattack, performed by advance guard and kanbuls projected towards the enemy. The vulnerability of weakened flank corps was partially compensated by using infantry archery units with support of dismounted archers. As a rule, massive archery attack stopped the enemy's attack and provided for counterattack. The organizational and tactical autonomy of kul corps, which could embattle independently even if there was a front breakthrough or encirclement, played an important role. Dismounted, enshielded warriors of the corps could repulse the attacks until the deblocking unit approaches. A fast-moving reserve under Timur's personal command could be used for both repulsing an attack and augmenting the advancing troops.

SOME FACTS ABOUT ZH. NURMUKHAMEDOV

In this publication, based on the involvement of numerous primary sources, episodes of the most important military operations of the insurgent Kazakhs under the leadership of the legendary batyr Zh.Nurmukhamedov in the struggle against the Khivans, Kokands and Tsarist Russia are traced. The most significant periods in history of the Kazakhs' struggle for freedom and independence are traced. The authors come to the conclusion that the national liberation movement of the Kazakhs under the leadership of Zhankozha Nurmukhamedov acquired a mass character and was directed against the colonial expansion of the tsarist colonialists. The insurgents included not only the Shekti clan, but also Kazakhs of other clans, in particular, Karasakal and Tortkara. The uprising was attended not only by the sedentary population of the Syr Darya, but also by nomadic divisions and communities from the Kazaly regions and the Aral Sea.

Impact of Kinanthropometric Differences According to Non-Professional Sports Activity Practiced

Kinanthropometry allows us to analyze variations in physical dimensions and body composition. This study’s objective was to evaluate the kinanthropometric differences based on physical activity performance, depending on whether the lower body or the whole body is more or less potent and the differences with a sedentary population. We analyzed 131 individuals (74 men and 57 women), with an average age of 22.68 ± 2.98 years. We differentiated three populations: sedentary (n = 63), runners (n = 20), and basketball players (n = 48). Measurements and indices were obtained following the international protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The results show differences between the populations regarding weight, height, wingspan, and certain perimeters, diameters, and morphotypes depending on the predominant training type and the sedentary population. These anthropometric measurements will allow the amateur athlete to compare between seasons or other moments of training, pay attention to their evolution, and assess the possibility of changes in training.

Cognitive repercussions of social isolation in children

Background: In view of the pandemic of COVID-19, sedentary behavior was increased, especially in the pediatric public, with an increase in the use of digital technology in addition to a reduced practice of physical activities. Recent studies confirm the relationship between sedentary and structural damage to brain mass, with a direct association with an increased time spent in front of a screen. Several regions of the brain were shown to be affected, which can cause functional visual lags, interfere in the patient’s state of attention and verbal memory. Objectives: Review the current aspects of the literature regarding the cognitive repercussions of social isolation in pediatric patients. Methodology: Was performed an integrative bibliographic review in March 2021, in English and Portuguese, using the Scielo and PubMed databases. Results: The brain structure and its functionalism are the result of synchronized genetic and environmental factors. Thus, sedentary behavior can interfere with neuronal function, which, in children, can have irreversible repercussions. This way, the increase in screen time is directly associated with the decrease in the volume of gray matter of the brain in children. The main affected areas are the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal and cerebellum regions. The use of the internet also showed a relationship with brain atrophy in subcortical regions. In addition, sedentarism reduces cerebral blood flow and synaptic plasticity, culminating in cognitive deficits. Conclusions: Social isolation, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has the potential to generate serious cognitive repercussions for the sedentary population, especially for children, where injuries can be definitive.

BIOARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NOMADS OF THE LATE 3RD AND 4TH CENTURY AD (THE CASE OF ANALISIS OF LOWER VOLGA AND LOWER DON ANTHROPOLOGICAL SERIES)

The paper presents a comparative analysis of anthropological materials originating from the nomadic burials of the Lower Volga and Lower Don regions of the late 3rd and 4th century AD. The standard assessment program of paleopathological conditions developed by A. P. Buzhilova was applied in the course of examination of the anthropological material. The authors conducted the analysis using the methods of multivariate statistics in order to assess the degree of variability. The results obtained were correlated with the data of archaeology and paleoecology. The studied sample from the burial grounds of the Lower Volga region included 22 individuals; the archaeological complex of the Lower Don is presented by bone remains of 9 individuals. The study has shown that both series for the most part are close to each other as regards to pathological conditions, stress markers as well as gender and age indicators. Statistically significant differences were revealed only for 4 characteristics: caries, enamel chips, pathological tooth wear and the “orange peel” type vascular reaction. On the one hand, variability may be a consequence of the objective small number of the series, on the other, might reflect differences in lifestyle, diets and origin of the compared groups. For instance, the dominance of agricultural foods in the Alans-Tanaites’ diet brings them closer to the sedentary population of the Kuban and Lower Don. The specific deviations revealed in the study of dentoalveolar system in the Lower Don group may be the result of close interaction with agricultural centers, or may stem from the North Caucasus regional migrations.