Landscape and archaeological research in the valleys of the Taldura and Chagan rivers (South-Eastern Altai)

Research in the Taldura and Chagan river valleys of South-Eastern Altai reveals that ancient populations deliberately selected landscapes most favorable for agricultural activities, particularly river terraces with sparse forb-wormwood dry steppes. These areas, comprising 71% of archaeological sites, offered flat terrain suitable for burial grounds and optimal conditions for cattle breeding, the region's primary economic activity. The study identified 318 archaeological sites, predominantly from Scythian and Turkic periods, including Bronze Age deer stones and enclosures, with a notable concentration on gentle slopes adjacent to river terraces (16%). Landscape development was influenced by climatic shifts and military-political factors. The research combined fieldwork, cartographic analysis, and GPS mapping to compile detailed landscape and archaeological maps, providing insights into late Holocene settlement patterns in the region.

Glebova, A. B., Pautova, E. M., Sergeev, I. S., & Kaledin, V. N. (2025). Landscape and archaeological research in the valleys of the Taldura and Chagan rivers (South-Eastern Altai). Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Earth Sciences, 70(4), 792–815. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu07.2025.407