Vol 8, No 2 (2019)

One of the current research areas is a comprehensive study of plants that are widely used in traditional medicine, with the aim of possible further introduction. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge is a valuable promising medicinal plant used as a part of recipes for many diseases in the practice of Oriental and Tibetan medicine. Astragalus mongholicus is a species belonging to the large genus Astragalus in the family Fabaceae. It is included in the flora of Mongolia vascular plants. The basis of the work was the study of the morphological, physiological and anatomical features of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, in order to identify the ecological adaptability of the species to the natural and climatic conditions of northern Mongolia. This is a typical long-stem herbaceous polycarpic, hemicryptophyte, has an underground caudex storage organ - for the supply of nutrients and replenishment of buds. It is reproduced by seeds only. The species belongs to the transitional group of plants - xeropetrophyte, which is resistant to water deficiency, populates mountainous steppes. It is a heliophyte that is well developed in conditions of increased solar insolation, with sharp temperature fluctuations during the period of spring growth, development and maturation of fruits and seeds. These adaptations are incorporated in the morphological structure of the biomorph, physiological and anatomical features of the Astragalus mongholicus leaf structure. Based on the conducted morphological and physiological analysis, as well as the anatomical study of the Mongolian Astragalus leaf, it can be concluded that in the course of a long evolutionary development the species is well adapted to the arid climatic conditions of northern Mongolia.

The following paper presents the results of the ecological assessment of the technogenic impact on the number of microfaunistic complex of soil invertebrates in conditions of natural meadow biocenosis. The goal of the paper is to assess remediation actions impact on regeneration processes of microfauna community in conditions of technogenic transformed soils. The probes were carried out on gray forest sandy loamy soils of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Micro arthropod was assessed according to methods admitted in soil zoology with subsequent extractions to laboratories by the Tulgrena-Berleze method with heating up by electro lamps. More than 4100 samples (125 cm³ each) have been analyzed to assess the total number of microfaunistic complex of broken soils. The results were the data reflecting dynamics of oribatides and collembols representatives population change in anthropogenically broken soils. The authors established that a mechanical violation of soil leads to sharp decrease of micro arthropod number. In conditions of technogenic influence the firmness of microfauna makes 17 pieces/m². The highest number of small soil invertebrates was established in 2018. The authors emphasize that the number of small terricolous most intensively increases when the soil is partially recultivated.

During the conducted research it is revealed that suburban forests of Samara experience a considerable anthropogenic load. It is connected with the increase of the country site area, unauthorized building of the territory, deforestation, recreational loading. For the allocated associations the analysis of ecomorphs of flora is carried out. All species on coenomorphes, hygromorphes and trophomorphes are distributed. On the basis of the obtained data primary distribution of elements of flora was established. The main consequences of anthropogenic transformation are also revealed. It is possible to conclude that the structure of herbage of Samara suburban forests changes in the process of anthropogenic loading increase. It is reflected in ruderants, xeromesophytes and mesoxerophytes increase. It is not peculiar for forest communities. On the basis of the obtained data it is possible to define a disturbance degree of a vegetable cover under the anthropogenic influence. It is revealed that in suburban forests of Samara, despite high appeal and comfort, the vital condition of forest stands of an oak is weakened. It is necessary to carry out a complex of forestry and landscape actions for optimization of recreational forest exploitation that will improve a condition of forest plants and increase their stability in the conditions of anthropogenic loading. These materials can form a basis for a further study of the flora of the area.

The following paper deals with the ecological and coenotical structure of the Regional Natural Monument «Chelyabinsk city pine forest» vegetation. The estimation was done by a cluster analysis with Sorensen-Chekanovsky (Bray-Curtis) distance measure and a flexible beta group linkage method - by non-metric multidimensional scaling, phytoindication and general discriminant analysis algorithms. The flora and coenotical structure of Chelyabinsk city pine forest plant communities are characterized by significant anthropogenic transformation. Forest-margin and meadow, ruderal and synanthropic species are insinuating and naturalizing in pine forest communities actively and supplanting typical pine forest species off communities. The studied pine forest flora synanthropic index is 32 percent. 15 plant associations were detected; its flora, dominant and constant species, coenotical structure and biotopes were characterized by principal ecological factors. The biotopes series of ecological factors replacement were identified. Biotopes series are specified by forest stand ecological structure, that determining ecological regime changes from semi-light to semi-shade and from more arid to more damp. Also biotopes form series from wet more variable moistening bad-aerated not-acid and salt enriched soils to acid aerated poor soils with contrast arid moistening. The detected Chelyabinsk city pine forest biotopes are characterized by not so fluctuation of principal ecological factors.

Arsenic and selenium are included in the group of chemical elements of the first hazard class, which confirms the need to analyze their content in natural environments of natural and man-made ecosystems during ecological and biogeochemical monitoring. By their chemical properties, arsenic and selenium are metalloids or semimetals. In very low concentrations, they are necessary for the normal functioning of the organisms, but with increasing concentrations in the habitat or food they show high toxicity. Particularly dangerous is the accumulation of arsenic and selenium in accumulative environments and landscapes, which include soils and confined water bodies. For the urban ecosystems of the Samara Region, earlier monitoring of the content of arsenic and selenium in the components of their accumulative landscapes was not carried out, which confirms the relevance and practical significance of the presented materials. The authors carried out ecological and geochemical studies of the accumulation of arsenic and selenium in coastal soils and bottom sediments of twenty ponds located in the Samara city within the coastal slope of the Saratov reservoir (Volga slope) and on the watershed between the Saratov reservoir and the Samara River. The results analysis showed a relatively low level of arsenic accumulation in the analyzed substrates of the studied ponds. Compared with the level of regional background for the Middle Volga, the studied accumulative aqual landscapes are noticeably enriched in selenium (2-15 times). The technogenic influx of arsenic and selenium into the accumulative landscapes of the Samara city may be associated with the activities of metalworking and machine-building enterprises, as well as thermal power plants. The materials presented in the paper concerning the content of arsenic and selenium in coastal soils and bottom sediments of urban ponds in the Samara city can be considered as pioneering for the region and subsequently used in the ecological and geochemical monitoring of regional urban ecosystems.

The influence of many anthropogenic xenobiotics constantly falling into natural ecosystems is poorly understood, so laboratory experiments are needed to understand the consequences of such actions. It is especially important to study this effect on plants that are unable to avoid uncomfortable conditions. It is necessary to use a variety of test objects and screening tests that give an integral assessment of biological responses. Such tests include the Allium-test, which allows to evaluate toxicity at both the organismic and cellular levels, as well as mutagenicity of xenobiotics. We analyzed the response of three species of the genus Allium (Allium cepa, Allium ramosum, Allium fistulosum) to exposure to alcohol solutions of benzotriazole in extremely low concentrations. This heterocyclic compound is widely used in industry as a light stabilizer for polymers and as an anti-corrosion agent protecting various metals and alloys. The biological activity of two concentrations (0,0001; 0,001 mg/ml) was studied. The solvent was 0,5% isopropyl alcohol. Allium test was used to analyze a biological response of the selected onions. The duration of the experiment was 5 days. The effect of benzotriazole stimulated growth processes in A. cepa and A. ramosum in the lowest concentration and inhibited growth processes in a higher dose compared to the control. Benzotriazole had a stimulating effect on A. fistulosum in both of the concentrations studied, however, the stimulating effect in a high concentration was less pronounced. The solution in low concentration stimulates the proliferative activity in the cells of the root meristem of all species. However, cells of A. cepa and A. ramosum meristem are not sensitive to the action of a higher concentration of benzotriazole solution, unlike A. fistulosum, in which cell division is inhibited in comparison with the control. It was found that A. fistulosum, in which benzotriazole causes a block at the anaphase stage in both concentrations studied, is the most sensitive to the mitosis-modifying action of benzotriazole. In the other two species, only exposure to benzotriazole in high concentration led to inhibition of mitosis at the prophase stage. A.

The paper provides information about the adventive fraction of the flora of the Sviyaga River basin, the right-hand tributary of the Volga, which flows administratively through the territory of two constituent entities of the Russian Federation - the Ulyanovsk Region and the Republic of Tatarstan. Currently, according to the results of perennial floristic studies, 341 species of vascular plants belonging to 216 genera and 64 families are assigned to the adventive fraction of flora. The distribution of adventive flora species by time, method of introduction and degree of naturalization is analyzed, which showed that the majority of the adventive fraction of flora penetrated into the studied area over the past 100 years due to the expansion of the transport network, intensive trade and active urbanization, while «aliens» occupied mostly disturbed habitats, often becoming elements integrated into natural communities of nature. In addition to the distribution of adventist species over time, the method of introduction and the degree of naturalization, an important indicator is the adaptation of these plants to the local conditions of the Sviyaga River Basin in natural ecosystems, which is reflected in their distribution by cenomorphs in the study area. As part of the adventive flora, 9 ecological-cenotic groups were identified, indicating, on the one hand, which communities are most favorable for naturalization in accordance with the life strategy, and on the other, it indicates their disturbance.

Forest ecosystems located at the Northern limit of distribution in the Kola North are chronically affected by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors, among which industrial atmospheric pollution is currently the main one. The spatio-temporal dynamics of structural and functional parameters of undisturbed middle-aged pine forests ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and forests exposed to chronic industrial emissions, which contain highly aggressive sulfur compounds in combination with heavy metals (Cu, Ni) was studied. Long-term studies have established that the current trends in the state of Scots pine communities in the background conditions are due to natural processes and intra-population relationships. At the beginning of our research (1982) vitalitetnye spectra of the dominant part of the pine populations differed absolute dominance of healthy individuals, pronounced positive asymmetry and peaked. By the end of observations (2014-2017) vitality distribution of individuals of the pine was transformed into full member, assymetrique moderately positive and moderately peaked. Aerotechnogenic pollution in the considered conditions of the Kola North is a significant factor determining the vital state of individual trees and stands in general, and near a large copper-nickel plant, it is the main factor that has an oppressive effect on individual trees and stands, and in some cases leads to the destruction of young communities of Scots pine. A significant reduction in atmospheric emissions by «Severonikel» in recent years causes a noticeable improvement in the living condition of pine forests, even in the area of heavy pollution.

The archive materials of the notable archaeologist, which have both scientific and private character, give us a possibility to reveal the traits of M.E. Foss’s personality. Her main features were diligence and self-control, multiplied by the ability to overcome difficulties with optimism. We can follow these dignities by her field notes, for example during the extremely difficult search trip to the White Sea shore in 1926 with her colleagues, during the cold northern summer, surrounded by wild animals, without guns. Some notes and drawings witness her perfect sense of humor. Exchanging letters with colleagues, local historians and museum employees, she frequently demonstrated the ability to give kind advice and friendly support, paying no attention to person’s position whether it was a student or an honored academician. She usually tried to stay away from the Soviet ideology restrictions both in her behavior and studies, and loved nature with all her heart, which is evident from her lyric fieldwork footnotes.

The following paper deals with the complexes of the late (Levshin) stage of the Kama culture and the early Eneolithic ceramic complexes of the Novoilyinskaya culture of the Middle Prikamye within the framework of a historical-cultural approach to the study of pottery. In the course of the work, the most stable traditions of raw material selection were highlighted: silty clay was used for the Kama culture; clay and silty clay were used in equal shares for the manufacture of Novoilyinskaya ceramics. For the manufacture of Kama ceramics raw materials were initially dried and crushed; this tradition was absent in the Novoilyinskaya culture. In both cultures mostly unsprayed (ductile) raw materials were used. As a result, it turned out that the population of the Kama region of the early Eneolithic was formed on the basis of the genesis of the local Neolithic population - the Kama culture representatives with the new (Volga) population. This fact may be indicated by differences in the skills of preparing plastic raw materials, mineral impurities for the preparation of the molding material, as well as the methods of applying the ornament.

The paper contains the results of the technical and technological analysis of ceramics from the Eneolithic layers of the Rakushechny Yar settlement. It is located on the Porechny Island (the Don River, Rostov Region, Russian Federation). The methodological basis of the conducted research is a historical and cultural approach to the study of ancient ceramics, developed in Russian archeology by A.A. Bobrinsky. The methods of the research are binocular microscopy, trasology and experiment (physical modeling). 141 samples of ceramics (conditionally separate vessels) from layers 5-2 of Rakushechny Yar were subjected to a microscopic examination. The obtained technological information allowed us to reconstruct techniques and methods of Eneolithic utensils manufacturing at all stages of production - preparatory, creative and fortifying stages of pottery technology. Based on these data, the paper presents a general description of the Eneolithic pottery. A comparative analysis was made of the pottery technology of the Neolithic and Eneolithic population that inhabited the Rakushechny Yar site. According to its results, the similarities and differences of the Eneolithic and Neolithic pottery traditions are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the question of the possible origins of new traditions, which became widespread during the Eneolithic. These include silty clays selection traditions, the introduction of artificial additives into the molding composition: crushed shell, bird fluff and sand.

Due to the Historical-and-Cultural approach to ancient ceramics studies the development of mixed pottery traditions reflects the amalgamation of the very bearers of these traditions. Taken as a problem, the study of populations’ contacts with different levels of pottery production is specific for a wide variety of territories and chronological periods. In the Upper and Middle Volga region the problem manifests itself in appearance of the mixed pottery traditions (morphological as well as technological ones) as a result of contacts between the Fatyanovo-Balanovo population and the late Volosovo population. So-called «Fatyanoid» (or «Fatyanovo-like») pottery that demonstrates features of the Volosovo and the Fatyanovo-Balanovo cultural traditions emerges in the process of amalgamation. A.A. Spitsyn, M.E. Foss, N.N. Gurina, I.V. Gavrilova, O.S. Gadzyatskaya and other researchers paid their attention to the problem. Based on the study of pottery collected at a number of archeological monuments including pottery from unfortified settlements - Nikolo-Perevoz I and II, Sakhtysh I, II, IV, Dikarikha, Iberdus I, Lipovka I and Galankina Gora - the author distinguishes three groups of the Fatyanoid (Fatyanovo-like) pottery: group I includes pottery with mixed Fatyanovo and Oshpandino traditions, group II includes pottery with mixed Fatyanovo and late Volosovo traditions, and group III includes pottery with the Fatyanovo traditions mixed with traditions of the population that consisted of bearers of the Bronze Age culture which is hard to define. These groups are present nearly at all archeological monuments though Fatyanovo-like pottery predominates at every monument. The author distinguishes pottery traditions common to the second group and explains the reason of their differences found at different monuments.

For a long time the issues of periodization and chronology of the Caspian culture remained controversial. Some researchers attributed the culture to the Neolithic period, while others - to the Eneolithic. The paper presents all the available views on the periodization of the Caspian culture. Its brief characteristic is given. The paper also considers criteria for the allocation of the Eneolithic era and provides arguments in favor of the Eneolithic nature of the Caspian culture. The author substantiates the fact that the producing economy of the Neolithic population was absent in the region while it was present in the Caspian culture. The following factors say that the culture belonged to the era of the Eneolithic: changes in the technique of processing stone tools, ornamentation of dishes; the presence of pets. The author considers the concept of the neo-Eneolithic period existence in the Lower Volga region and the possibility of attributing the Caspian culture to it. The author analyzes researchers’ point of view on the chronological relationship of the Caspian and the Khvalyn cultures; the conclusion is made about the chronological priority of the Caspian culture over the Khvalyn culture. All available radiocarbon values on materials of culture are presented and the author concludes that the Caspian culture represents an early stage of the Eneolithic of the Lower Volga region.

The authors summarize and systematize data on Neolithic cultures in northeastern Europe. It is a modern territory of the Komi Republic, the northern part of the Perm Territory, the Vologda and Arkhangelsk Regions, and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Based on the critical analysis of evidences, their analysis and interpretation, the authors present their views on the features of the formation, development and fate of the Neolithic cultures of the region. It has been established that the studied region contains northern and northeastern provinces of the famous cultures of the early and middle Neolithic of Eastern Europe: Verkhnevolzhskaya, Kamskaya, Lyalovskaya and Kargopolskaya. In addition, fragments of some cultures were identified. Their initial areas of formation are not yet reliably determined. They are represented by early Neolithic sites such as Dutovo 1, Chernoborskaya III, Enty IА and Chyornaya Vadya. Some types of pottery without a specific context document the presence of population groups in northeastern Europe whose status has not been defined yet. The authors suggest that the formation of Neolithic cultures in the region is associated with the search for undeveloped feeding areas, their development and short-term exploitation by small groups of people commensurate with elementary or unified families. Until the Eneolithic in the greater territory of northeastern Europe the conditions for long-term residence of the Neolithic population were absent as well as the formation of local traditions.

This paper deals with the analysis of the materials from the Novoilyinskaya culture monuments in the Middle Kama River region, traces the issue history and determines how much is known about it. The main sources of the issue are given and their reliability is determined here. The location of the sites and the characteristic parameters of dwellings are recorded. Their similarity with the Neolithic is stated. The ceramic and stone tools are described. The characteristic and special features are distinguished. A comparative analysis of the complexes with the materials of the late Neolithic is carried out, that reveals a certain similarity. The paper considers the issue of the metalwork residues presence at the Novoilyinskaya culture monuments. It is concluded that there is no evidence of the Eneolithic character of the Novoilyinskaya culture sites. The database on radiocarbon chronology of the Novoilyinskaya culture complexes is analyzed. The most valid values are highlighted. Their chronological interval of existence is determined: 5200-4500 BP. The issue of the genesis of the Novoilyinskaya culture in the Middle Kama River region is covered. The proximity with the culture of the local Neolithic is stated, as well as the role of cultures of adjacent territories is assumed. A comparative analysis with materials of the Krasnomostovsky type of the forest Middle Volga region is given. The conclusion about their chronological correlation is made. The authors also come to the conclusion about the Post-Neolithic age of the Novoilyinskaya culture. This culture is included in the range of the forest Middle and Upper Volga region cultures.

This paper is devoted to the critical issues of historiography and source study in the early Neolithic of the Trans-Urals. The authors consider basic dated monuments in the context of radiocarbon chronology; analyze the established criteria for identifying archaeological cultures and ceramic traditions and types of this period. Based on statistical processing of the ceramics of the forest-steppe Tobol region settlements: Tashkovo 1, Dolgovskoe 3, Kochegarovo 1, Ust-Suerka 4, the authors distinguish some stadial features in the evolving of the material culture of the early Neolithic in the first and second halves of 6 thousand BC. Attention is paid, firstly, to the co-existence of Koshkino and Kozlovo ancientries within the settlements, and, secondly, to the coincidence of a number of characteristics of Koshkino and Kozlovo material culture regarding the morphology of potteries, ornamentation techniques and basic decorative motifs. Within the framework of a sociocultural approach, it is proposed to consider the bodies of evidence as complexes of two coexisting and interacting traditions within one sociocultural space, understood in the source sense as an archaeological culture, instead of dividing them into two independent lines of development. Besides it is emphasized that the problem of the Neolithization of Trans-Urals, on the basis of the available data, at this time cannot be solved plausible.

For a long time, the Eneolithic of the Don forest-steppe remained one of the least studied epochs in the archaeological scheme of the region. However, since the late 1960s, sites with materials of the Eneolithic have been actively explored on the territory of the Voronezh and Lipetsk Regions. By the 1980s, researchers had a concept for the development of copper-stone age cultures within the system of the Mariupol cultural-historical region of the Dnieper-Don-Ural interfluve, which is still relevant today. The criteria for distinguishing the Eneolithic era in the steppe and forest-steppe spaces of the East European steppe and forest-steppe were substantiated. The idea of their synchronization with complexes of the Tripolye A period was designated. The early Eneolithic in the Don forest-steppe was marked by the appearance of a population with specific ceramics of Nizhnedonskaya culture. Questions of the chronology of the early Eneolithic were solved exclusively by methods of analogies with the materials of neighboring territories and synchronization with the local Neolithic complexes. The paper deals with the problems of chronology, periodization and synchronization of materials from the early Aeneolithic of the territory of the Don forest-steppe. The focus is on the absolute dating of the Nizhnedonskaya culture of the Mariupol cultural-historical region and its synchronization with the early Tripolye Culture. According to all the data available to date, the region’s early Eneolithic can be dated from 5300 to 4250 BC.

The following paper provides a database of radiocarbon dating, which was obtained from the Srednevolzhskaya archaeological culture of the developed and late Neolithic, as well as on the Eneolithic materials of the forest-steppe Volga region. The key issue is the chronological ratio of the melon complexes, which is considered through the construction of graphs of the sums of calibrated radiocarbon dates. Verification of previously obtained definitions was carried out with the ratio of the absolute chronology of adjacent regions. As a result of definitions study for C14, the range of the Srednevolzhskaya Neolithic culture and the Eneolithic complexes coexistence was revealed, which begins with 5050 BC with a probability of 68,2% or 5250 BC with a probability of 95,4% and ends with 3900 BC (68,2%) or 4000 BC (95,4%). The results of radiocarbon dating confirm the genetic continuity between the Neolithic and Eneolithic complexes of the forest-steppe Volga region. In the light of data on the absolute chronology, the assumption of continuity between the Neolithic and Eneolithic can be extended to the basin of the Sok River, where there is a closure of a chronological range of comb Neolithic complexes and aneolithic materials of the Chekalinskiy type. The chronological interval of the late Neolithic ceramics partially coincides with the time of the existence of Tokskiy materials, as well as with the Gundorovskiy type and «with an internal edge» ceramics.

The paper deals with the main results of the Middle-Don Neolithic culture study. The contribution of A.T. Sinyuk is noted. The paper also contains some evolution of his views on the content of the early stage of the culture. So, the first periodization, done in 1971 as a result of Universitetskaya III site study, was then adjusted, especially after the excavations of Monastyrskaya I site. The culture chronology according to modern concepts fits into the IV-V millennium BC. The origin of the Middle-Don culture is debatable. New absolute dating allows us to consider the early stage in the first half of the VI - third quarter of the VI millennium BC and associate it with the first monuments with stroke ceramics and plate stone inventory. The author notes that there was an interaction of the Middle Don population with the Karamyshevsky population at the early stage. During the last quarter of the VI - first quarter of V millennium BC stroke-ornamented-comb ware spread, ornament completely filled the outer surface of the vessels. Late stage - second quarter V - end V millennium BC, the syncretic types were formed. Vestigial stage - the beginning of IV millennium BC, there was an end of Middle-Don traditions, they were rare in the Rybnoozersky type of ceramics.

The paper is devoted to the problems of evolution and cultural continuity of the Neolithic complexes of archaeological site «Koksharov Hill - Yurynskoye settlement». The basis for solving these problems is the presence of all types of Neolithic ceramics from the Trans-Ural region in the cultural strata of this complex: Koshkinskaya, Koksharovsko-Yuryinskaya (Kozlovskaya), Poludenskaya, Basyanovskaya (Boborykinskaya). Each of them has a reliable time reference, based on both stratigraphic observations and a solid base of radiocarbon dates including 54 received dates. The beginning of the Neolithic epoch on the monument is connected with the formation of the complexes of the Koshkinskaya archaeological culture no later than the third - the last quarter of the 7th millennium BC. At the same time, not later than the very beginning of the 6th millennium BC, complexes of the Koksharovsko-Yuryinskaya archaeological culture appeared. The indented strokes technique of ornamentation dominates in the design of ceramic ware of these cultures. But in the ornamentation of the vessels of the Koksharovsko-Yuryinskaya culture there are more features that go back to the local Mesolithic basis. A distinctive feature of both cultures is the presence of vessels with relief to stick. The population of these cultures existed, often in the framework of exogamous groups, during the early stage of the Neolithic region, before the 6th-5th, and even the first quarter of the 5th millennium BC, when they were re-registered in the Late Neolithic Poludenskaya and Basyanovkaya. Radiocarbon dates obtained from fragments of ceramics of the Ayatskaya culture, which fit into the interval of the third - last quarter of the 5th millennium BC, mark the beginning of the Eneolithic epoch on the monument.

In empire-building of the 19th century the Russian power had a priority task that was to build a uniform political and social system across all imperial territory which included absolutely different regions. The Kazakh steppe as a part of the empire represented a cultural type distinctive from the center, based on nomadic lifestyle. In the background of difficult methods of construction of the unified empire, one of important questions was the state policy promoting creation of a socio-political system in the Kazakh steppe which would be most approximate to the empire model. This paper investigates the nature of social changes and process of new estates formation (the nobility and honorable citizens) in the Steppe in the context of administrative, social policy of the Russian government. Social changes on the Kazakh lands began with transformation of the administrative-territorial structure of the region at the beginning of the 19th century. With introduction of new legally fixed form of political management and inclusion of the Kazakh region in the rang system of the empire traditional social order of Kazakhs was transformed, and new estates on an imperial sample as officials, noblemen and honorable citizens began to form. Actually the process of formation and character of these estates among Kazakh nomads differed from social groups of the settled and agricultural people. The symbiosis of traditional nomadic and imperial social features was observed, at that time the imperial government maintained distinctions among the incorporated groups. The important aspect in social transformation of the Kazakh steppe was incorporation of the Kazakh elite in privileged estates (the nobility and honorable citizens) of the Russian Empire. In this connection, the paper represents the process of entry of the Kazakh sultans into nobility of the empire and features of the Kazakh nobility. The paper also considers the process of adaptation of local population to new social transformations. Their study will allow to reveal characteristics of imperial methods in the region and perceptions of the new social system by the Kazakh population, extent of their identification with imperial estates.

This paper deals with the role of animal husbandry in the history of the Ural economic region as the most important economic base of Russia, especially during the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945. The study contains materials characterizing the situation in the industry in the prewar period, estimates the processes taking place in the main areas of animal husbandry in the transition from the sole of the peasant way of organizing production to industrial technologies in the late 30s of XX century. During the collectivization in the Urals, as throughout the country, the number of productive animals suffered heavy losses. Only the number of small cattle in 1928-1935 decreased from 9,1 million heads to 3 million heads, i.e. 3 times. Realizing the harmfulness of such a policy, the Soviet leadership took vigorous measures to correct the situation. They allowed to significantly correct the situation, but in general by the beginning of the great Patriotic war, the full transition to the new principles of work in agriculture hadn’t been carried out. When the war broke out the role of animal husbandry in the Urals in the USSR increased. At the beginning of 1941 the farms of the region contained from 5,1 to 8,3% of the population of the main agricultural animals of the country, then during the most difficult years of 1942-1943 this figure increased to 10,8 and even 18,6% of the total productive herd of the USSR. During this period, the livestock of the region gave up to 15% of all dairy products of the country and 13-14% of meat. Thus, the workers of animal husbandry of the Urals in the most difficult conditions of war time were able to save the bulk of the livestock and provide the army and defense industry of the region with the necessary food and raw materials.

In the following paper the author analyzes the state, prospects and problematic aspects of folk arts and crafts existence in the Republic of Mordovia on the examples of the most significant traditional places of their existence. The author uses her own field data analysis as well as archival documents and researchers’ materials. The author analyzes transformation of the understanding of the essence and structure of fishing activity in the framework of various historical stages. The place, role, features of folk arts and crafts development in the conditions of an innovative market economy are determined. The main forms of arts and crafts activities for income generation, in which crafts continue to exist are considered. At the present stage, such forms are developed in family contracts, dynasties of craftsmen, among self-employed persons, craftsmen engaged in some kind of applied arts and crafts besides their professional activities. Attention is paid to the production of souvenirs with national symbols as a special type of products in the structure of folk crafts. The paper reflects the main factors which have an effect on the state of various kinds of folk arts and crafts. The fundamental principles that allow to increase the effectiveness of measures aimed at reviving, preserving and developing various types of traditional folk arts and crafts on the territory of Mordovia are formulated.

This paper analyzes the materials of Winston Churchill of the first third of the XX century, dedicated to his participation in asymmetric military conflicts on the periphery of the British colonial empire. First, it allows us to consider the concept of asymmetric conflict in relation to the British army at the turn of the century and after the First World War. Secondly it allows us to analyze methods, forms and ways of waging war in the conditions of unequal power capabilities, which help to get to know the way of the colonial margins, which was formed by the British in the context of ongoing conflicts. The paper traces a clear chronology in accordance with the works of Winston Churchill: the Cuban War of Independence, the uprising of the Pashtun tribes in Malakand, the Mahdist uprising in Sudan, the second Anglo-Boer War, and the Irish War of Independence. Winston Churchill served in the British Army personally, at the same time he served as a war correspondent covering military events from the front line. Only the Irish War of Independence is knocked out of the chain of events. It was an asymmetric military conflict, perceived by W. Churchill from a completely different perspective: through the prism of political experience and from the height of his position of a Minister of Colonies. In the paper we conclude that the colonial era is the basis for the formation of the theoretical component of the asymmetric conflict concept.

In the following paper the author disclosures some aspects of a complex problem. It is a class approach to the assessment of events and phenomena as one of the approaches to learn history. The style is lapidary, with conciseness elements. The author considers fundamental postulates of the Marxist-Leninist concept of a class approach to the assessment of events and phenomena as one of the approaches to learn history. The emphasis is placed here on Lenin’s understanding of the methodological phenomenon stated above and its development by ideologists of the Communist Party governing the Soviet state. Development of the studied concept in the Soviet historical science is traced. At the same time it is emphasized that eclecticism elements were allowed when scientists confused the concepts «principles of a historical research» and «approaches to learn history». The author considers how the problem of a class approach to assessment of events and phenomena is treated in a Post-Soviet and modern historiography. The author says that this approach hasn’t become outdated in historical science as many representatives of so-called liberal historical school consider (don’t confuse with V.O. Klyuchevsky) and continues to function. However, it changed manifestation forms and receded a little into the background.

The paper presents a technique of defining the level of development of senior preschoolers’ readiness for social orientation in the organizations of additional education. It contains diagnostic tools that determine the level of development of senior preschoolers’ readiness for social orientation in these organizations. The paper presents the level characteristics of the main structural components of readiness for social orientation in relation to the senior preschool age (personal, cognitive and activity): high, medium, low and unformed. To identify the level of each component development, criteria and evaluation indicators are identified, as well as methods of study, including a method of problem situations, a survey, practice-oriented tasks. With the help of the developed method the author carried out an experiment (ascertaining experiment), its results are presented in the paper. The paper describes in detail one of the components of senior preschoolers’ readiness for social orientation - a personal one, including value orientations; motivational orientation; emotional well-being; integrative qualities of the individual. This component was found to be at a low level that testifies that it is necessary to develop senior preschoolers’ readiness for social orientation in the organizations of additional education.

The following paper discusses one of the aspects of environmental education. It is related to the necessity to use a systematic approach for schoolchildren’s environmental thinking development. The process of environmental thinking development is linked with environmental education implementation. For a long time, environmental education was considered as an integral part of biological education, but now an interdisciplinary approach to this work is considered. Different models of cognition are also considered, the recognition or denial of which influenced the nature of science development and the content of the educational process. Cognitive models in varying degrees, depending on specific conditions, determined the level and nature of ecological knowledge system development. A systematic approach for schoolchildren’s environmental thinking development should be based on the main positions, which are the basis of cognitive models that act as paradigmatic methodological guidelines. The implementation of a systematic approach to environmental thinking development proceeds more successfully when using the practice-oriented approach, which lies at the basis of the lesson and students’ extracurricular activities organization. The above mentioned approach can be now implemented in the form of project development. While working with students - prospective teachers, ecologization of disciplines is widely implemented.

The following paper actualizes the problem of media education in the conditions of modern Russian society, allowing to master the skills and abilities to work effectively with information. It is substantiated that media education contributes to training the younger generation, first of all, for life in modern conditions, for effective perception of information and its comprehension, for understanding the impact of various types of information on the psyche, as well as for mastering modern technical means of nonverbal communication. The role of media education in the transformation of young people into creators of their own content, their development as harmonious individuals - development of emotions, intelligence, development of worldview, familiarization with moral values. The role of mass media in the development of media culture and information literacy of the population in general and of children and young people in particular is indicated. It is substantiated that the global goal of media education in the conditions of the information society is to build an ideological foundation of society. It is argued that one of the important tasks aimed at achieving the global goal of media education is the formation of patriotism, as one of the basic Russian values. The relationship between patriotic education and the media education process is indicated. The content of the multimedia patriotic media education project (festival) of the federal scale, the First All-Russian Media Competition «Russian Cosmos», promotes development of the individual through media, acquires historical knowledge of local lore and familiarizes with the greatest pages of the history of his/her native country. The conclusion is made about the important role of media education for training children, adolescents and young people to live in a new technological structure, to work in conditions of the multipolarity of the virtual world and an endless stream of multidirectional information.