LANDSCAPE FACTORS IN THE ORGANIZATION OF SETTLEMENTS OF THE MARI VOLGA REGION IN THE II — I MILLENNIA BC

Abstract

The article aims to the study of one of the most current issues in the organization of settlements of the 2nd – early 1st Millennia BC – the natural landscape. The relief, availability and proximity of water resources, climatic conditions, and the species composition of the fauna and fl ora had a signifi cant impact on all aspects of the society, and especially its economic activities; led to the development of adaptive mechanisms, development of new territories, organization of settlement space. In other words, landscape factors were paramount in the organization of settlements. The article describes the possibilities of such analysis on the example of settlements of the 2nd – 1st Millennia BC located on the territory of the Mari Volga region. As a result, conclusions were made by the author about the peculiarity of the organization of settlements of the period in question in the territory of the Mari Volga region. The infl uence of landscape factors was established in relation to such basic criteria as the topography of settlements, ratio of the floor (base) to the ancient surface, shape of the dwellings, type of structures, and building materials.