Patterns of change in a Nenets landscape: An Ethnoarcheological Study of Yangana Pe, Polar Ural Mts. Russia

• Published in: Human Ecology
• Main Authors: Sázelová, S. (Sandra), Svoboda, J. (Jiří), Kosintsev, P. A., Novák, M. (Martin)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Campsite seasonality; Ethnoarcheology; Expired date chronology; Nenets; Northwestern Siberia; nenets; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-015-9744-2; http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0254045

Using an ethnoarcheological perspective we examine Nenets site formation, seasonality and landscape usage in controlling reindeer herds in a complex system of more than 20 abandoned campsites and other sites of interest over 100 km2 and a time-span of several decades. We establish a chronology based on more than 150 expiration dates from imported food items, supported by additional seasonal evidence such as presence/absence of newborn reindeer, hearths and other artifacts. We separated the sites into five stages and compared the patterns of change, especially from 1986 to 2003 as the road and railroad connecting the Yamal gas mining fields were constructed nearby. We find that the impact of road and rail construction is reflected in the increase of imported goods upon its completion.