Soil charcoals in cultural layers of three hillforts located in the upper Volga River (Peno District, Tver Region) were studied in soil cores and archaeological excavations. The characteristics of the cultural layers of the hillforts allow us to refer it to the category of Archaeological Dark Earth with a thickness from 50 to 80 cm. The age of charcoals and archaeological findings showed that the cultural layers of Zaborovka-Likhusha and Voroshilovo hillforts belong to the Early Iron Age (the Dyakovo culture) and Runa-Zaborovka hillfort belongs to the Early Middle Ages. A total of 629 charcoal fragments belonging to 13 woody genera were taxonomically identified. The charcoals of the 12 dated samples were evaluated for changes in the taxonomic composition over time. In all periods, Pinus charcoals dominated, followed by Picea; their proportions increased from the Early Iron Age to the High-Late Middle Ages. For the Early Iron Age, the largest number of taxa, 9 woody species, including Quercus, Ulmus, and Acer, was observed. The information obtained from the soil charcoal composition is a valuable evidence of the presence of tree taxa in a particular area at a particular time; it details the reconstruction of the history of vegetation in the upper Volga River. 

Khotylevo I, one of the largest Middle Paleolithic sites in Eastern Europe, is located in Bryansk Oblast’, 400 km southwest of Moscow, in the upper course of the Desna River. The site’s sections are presented by soil-sedimentary deposits of the last macro-cycle MIS 5-MIS 1 (OSL, AMS dating). Paleosols of varying degrees of preservation have matching pedofeatures and stratigraphic patterns throughout the area. In the bottom part of the sections, soils MIS 5 a-c contain a group of areas of different ages varying in the extent of preservation of cultural deposits, their cultural appurtenance and human habitation intensity. The MIS 3 soil presents as several levels of soil formation. One of the soils (soil IV, AMS date 34.1–32.7 14С kyr BP) has a full set of genetic horizons undisturbed by cryogenesis (similar paleosols are described in Germany and Austria), AO-E-Bw-Bk-BCk, the contemporary analogue of which is Yakutia’s Cambic Cryosol. The formation of these soils occurs in extracontinental semi-arid climate conditions on the territory of the middle taiga zone. In Khotylevo I sections the paleosol inherits the change in climate: from Cambic Cryosol to Gleysol. Owing to high deposition rates and the development of weak earthslide slope processes, a detailed paleosol chronicle reflecting short-term climatic fluctuations has survived in these soils’ profiles.

Due to isolation from the external environment, the soils buried under the mounds of burial complexes are valuable natural archives that provide information on the past environments. Soils buried under mounds in the Middle Ages with a short time interval – 25–50 years were studied in present paper. The research included the detailed field morphological description of the buried soils, particle size analysis and the study of elemental composition, iron fraction, some other chemical parameters and spores, pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs. Surface soil in the immediate vicinities of the mounds was studied for comparison. The data obtained allowed the forest-steppe landscape dynamics in the 11th century. Medieval warming and subsequent humidification of the climate over a short period could significantly impact natural conditions and the migration of the population of the steppes of Eurasia.

In the northwestern part of the Caspian Plain, a comparison of macro-, micromorphological, granulometric, physico-chemical parameters and mineralogical quartz-feldspar cryogenic contrast coefficient (CCC) was carried out for two different types of soils underlain by layered sediments. The values of the СCC for the underlying sediments are ≥1, which indicates cryogenic transformations of the sediment. The abrupt distribution of the ССС depending on the texture class of layers (ССС <1 for loamy material, ССС≥1 for clay) of layered chocolate clays near Lake Elton in the Fox Dry Valley outcrop (+12 m altitude) indicates the seasonal introduction and deposition of material from the upper part of the Lower Khvalynian marine sediments into reservoirs with weak flow at the boundary of the Holocene-Pleistocene. For the territory with of +26 m altitude (Janybek station), loess-like layers with CCC≥1 were also identified, in which inclusions of fragments of chocolate clays are similar to clays near Lake Elton. This is evidence that the deposits of layered chocolate clays from Fox Dry Valley are one of the sources of the lower loess-like layers of sediments on the territory of Janybek station. In the compared soils at the same depth (about 100 cm), signs of synlithogenic cryoarid pedogenesis were noted: granular structure and gypsum accumulations with signs of dissolution and recrystallization. Different types of soils were formed in the surface “warm” layers of sediments (CCC<1), which is associated with different factors of soil formation in modern and paleoclimatic conditions of the Holocene. We assume that after the stage of increased atmospheric humidification in the chronointerval 3500– 3000 years ago, the development of surface soils occurred in different ways. On the undrained territory of the station, with a shallow occurrence of saline water-table, a characteristic three-component solonetz complex with a microrelief was formed, including the studied soil pit of the Gypsic Solonetz on a micro-elevation. On a drained flat surface near Lake Elton, the washing of the soil from easily soluble salts to a depth of 70 cm marks the stage of increased atmospheric moisture. The carbonate content of loess-like “warm” sediments, deep water-table and modern arid pedogenesis did not allow the solonetzic pedogenesis to manifest in this area. As a result, Haplic Calcisol was formed on this surface.  

Since the 2000s, there has been an increase in climate aridity on the Janybek plain, accompanied by a slight increase in winter precipitation, which causes deeper spring soil wetting. As a result, in the upper 50(70) cm of the studied soils, increased biogenic activity and increased humus accumulation, removal of soluble salts and redistribution of calcium carbonate were noted. The microrelief determines the relative severity of these processes. 

The article discusses the materials of the Palaeolithic site Zaozer’e (35–31 14C kyr BP) situated on the North-East of East European plain in Upper Kama River basin. The age, distinctive features of stone and bone assemblage and the types of personal ornaments unambiguously allow to relate Zaozer’e to the beginning of the Upper Palaeolithic. The site’s features incorporate most of the traits which have been interpreted as requisites of cultural model of the anatomically modern human (AMH). The assemblage of Zaozerʼe site has certain similarity to assemblages of the contemporaneous sites of the Kostenki group (Kostenki XVII, layer II and Kostenki XIV, layers IVb), but also yielded some implements resembling elements of the Uluzzian and Protoaurignacien assemblages of Southern and Southwestern Europe. The site’s materials show that modern humans reached the sub-arctic zone of Eastern Europe during the relatively warm interstadial climate epoch ca. 40 cal. kyr practically concurrently with their first appearance in the central part of the East European Plain.

In the Eastern Europe there are very few studies of the terrestrial records which registered the contrasting short-term climate fluctuations during the last glacial period demonstrated by the Greenland ice core proxy. We argue that the paleosol-sedimentary sequences encountered at the Upper Palaeolithic archaeological sites within the central Russian Plain reflect such climatic fluctuations, the incipient paleosols being formed predominantly during the warm episodes corresponding to the Greenland Interstadials. Detailed research and dating of paleosols described in the sections of the archaeological sites of Kostenki and Divnogorie gave rise to the compound correlation scheme which covers the second half of MIS 3 and MIS 2. This scheme contains the levels of incipient paleosols correlative to the last 8 Greenland Interstadials. In case of the Zaraysk site the formation of the paleosol found there took place during the Greenland Stadial 2 and marks a warmer phase 18–21 cal ka BP within this cold interval. The obtained results show that the paleosols of the soil-sedimentary sequences of the Palaeolithic sites could provide a sensitive record of the climatic fluctuations of centennial to 1–2 millennia scale. Despite their incipient development the pedogenetic features of these paleosols provide valuable information about local paleoenvironments important for geoarchaeological research.

The Upper Palaeolithic site Divnogorie1 situated on a low terrace of the Tikhaya Sosna River, consists of periglacial alluvium, covered with proluvial and deluvial deposits. In the Late Glacial layer two levels of initial pedogenesis have been identified, two levels of permafrost and erosional disturbances and also a Palaeolithic cultural layer with a radiocarbon age of 13.800–13.300 years ago. The multi-disciplinary geo-archaeological research carried out so far has revealed a shift from a periglacial fluvial situation to a subaerial one – initially a periglacial one and then an interglacial one – in a forest-steppe and occasionally steppe setting. The highly dynamic nature of the climate and the landscapes was characteristic of the Holocene period and particularly pronounced for the Late Glacial period. 

Paleosols are one of the main paleoecologic indicators that record changes in the environment in loess-paleosol sequence. Understanding the peculiarities of the structure of paleosols and the natural processes that caused them makes it possible to reconstruct the landscape and climatic conditions in the desired territories. The article presents new studies of the loess-paleosol sequence of the Alchak-Sedlovina section located in the mountainous area of the southern part of the Crimean Peninsula. The section exposed two automorphic paleosols (PS1-AS and PS3-AS) and one hydromorphic paleosol (PS2-AS), which we correlate with the paleosols of the Vorona pedocomplex (MIS13/15). This assumption is based on data obtained from the results of a comprehensive analysis, including a morphological description of paleosols and their physical-chemical parameters. It has been established that the loess-paleosol sequence of the Alchak-Sedlovina section under study was formed on deposits of V Perchem marine terrace, which corresponds to the MIS 17 interval. The paleosols PS2-AS and PS3-AS developed according to the Cambisols under conditions of warm steppes or forest-steppes with periodic moistening and often local moisture stagnation; during the cold season, a slight freezing of the surface was observed. The PS1-AS paleosol profile also corresponds to the Cambisols, but it was formed in a drier climate under steppe vegetation similar to the modern one. In the study area, during periods of accumulation of loess material and soil formation, they were accompanied by constant erosion processes. As a result, in the loess-paleosol sequence of the Alchak-Sedlovina section, layers of large rock fragments are fixed, and the surface horizons of paleosols are eroded. The obtained material allowed us to take a fresh look at the development of the paleosol cover in the mountains of Crimean Peninsula. The revealed characteristics of the paleosols of the Alchak-Sedlovina section can later be compared with other paleosols of the Crimean Peninsula to interpret their age and formation conditions. 

A comparative analysis of the features of the chernozems buried under the mounds of the Srubnaya culture (3600–3400 years ago), earlier (4200–3700 years ago) and later analogues (2500–2200 years ago) have been carried out. Also, modern chernozems of the East European Plain central part were studied. The chernozems of the Srubnaya culture period were formed in an environment of noticeable bioclimatic transformations after the period of the Middle Subboreal climate aridization. It was found that the biochemical rearrangement of the profile in terms of the content of soil organic matter outplaced the morphological transformation with the formation of a thicker dark-colored part of the chernozem profile. The automorphic paleochernozems of the Srubny period were characterised by a greater homogeneity of morphological properties (in all studied areas, they were identified as typical chernozems with high carbonate table) compared to their modern analogues (two areas of chernozems were formed – leached and typical). Leached chernozems were formed in areas with lower carbonate content in the parent materials compared to the areas of typical chernozems. The general trend of the Late Holocene evolution of leached and typical automorphic chernozems consisted of an increase in the thickness of humus horizons (by an average of 20 cm) and soil profiles (by an average of 20 cm). In contrast, the thickness of the transitional part of the profile (A1B + BA1) and horizons B (Bk) remained the same. Differences were connected with different depth of leaching from carbonates in the studied soils. 

Solfataric gases outputs, mud volcanic manifestations and mineralized thermal waters contribute to the formation of various, sometimes very specific landforms on the slopes and the bottoms of river valleys in the modern volcanism territories. It has been carried out the typification of denudation and accumulative forms of predominantly micro- and mesorelief in river valleys of geothermal zones under the conditions of gas-hydrothermal activity manifestations. The features of gas hydrotherms influence on the nature of geomorphological processes within river valleys are considered, and analysed the reasons for intensification of the slope processes and erosion. The main patterns revealed are typical for the most valleys with gas-hydrothermal manifestations, which is confirmed by observations in the river valleys, draining the slopes of volcanoes of the Pacific Ring of Fire (including the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, New Zealand, North and South America), as well as of Iceland. 

The noticeable geomorphic feature of the Moksha River valley (middle Oka River basin) is the occurrence of numerous large palaeomeanders that evidence a several fold rise of river discharges. To establish the history of valley development, the key study in the lower part of the Moksha River valley was organized between the mouth of the Tsna River and the mouth of the Moksha River. Based on the results of mechanical coring, geomorphological and lithological analysis, and radiocarbon AMS-dating we reconstructed the following main stages of the Moksha River valley development in the end of the Late Pleistocene. 1) About 40–30 ka ago the increase of the river runoff associated with climatic changes led to the river incision deeper than the present level. 2) After that the drying up of the climate and a lowering of the river runoff led to the filling of the valley (the strongest drying was in LGM time, about 23–20 ka ago). 3) Between 18.5–12 ka ago the river runoff increased and caused macromeanders formation and widening of the valley bottom. 4) In the Holocene runoff decreased again and the channel parameters became close to the modern ones. 

The Lena River with its tributaries is one of the largest river systems in the world. During three field seasons, 18 outcrops of alluvial deposits on terraces of different levels of the Lower Lena Valley from the mouth of the Aldan River to the “Lena Pipe” were studied. Terrace heights were determined using topographic maps, leveling and GPS survey. The outcrops were described in the field with sampling for radiocarbon dating and infrared stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL) method. A total of 26 radiocarbon and IR-OSL ages were obtained. The low floodplain was studied most in detail on the section from the mouth of the Aldan River to the mouth Vilyuy River, where it has a height of 5–6 to 8–9 m. The deposits of the high floodplain in the section between the mouths of the Aldan River and Viluyu River, in the area of the mouth of the Dyanyshka River and in the section between the villages of Siktyakh and Kyusyur were studied. It has a height of 6–10 to 15– 16 m. The deposits of the 1st terrace (7–15 m) and 2nd terrace (20–23 m) most in detail in the area of the mouth of the Dyanyshka River were studied. In some areas (the lower reaches of Dyanyshka River, near the mouth of the Menkere River and the mouth of the Natara River), deposits of higher terraces were dated. Investigation and dating of the floodplain and first terraces in the valley of the Lower Lena River confirms that their formation was caused by sea level fluctuations in Holocene and at the end of Late Pleistocene as well as in the Lena River Delta. The results of IR-OSL dating alluvial deposits of 40–60 me terraces contradict the ideas about their age, formed in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century. Glaciations of Verkhoyansk Ridge could not influence to configuration of the Lena River valley as mountain glaciers had not rich the Lena River since the end of Middle Pleistocene. 

New data on the structure and age of alluvium of river floodplains in the Selenga river basin are presented. Based on the data of field and laboratory studies of floodplain sedimentary sections, data on the morphology, composition and radiocarbon age of river sediments were obtained. There are two main levels of floodplain in Selenga river basin: low (up to 2 m), high (2–4(5) m). The main differences in the structure and composition of floodplain alluvium are associated with the morphology of river valleys, differences in the dynamics of water discharge, structural and tectonic conditions of individual river basins. It was revealed that the formation of deposits of low floodplains in the Selenga river basin began in the late Holocene. The high floodplain sediments in the Selenga river basin are characterized by Early – Late Holocene age. The chronology of sedimentation stages and soil formation have been identified. The event of a sharp change in the lithological composition of deposits, high floods (3.8–3.4 kyr BP) was established, Cryogenic deformations in the Late Holocene alluvium have been revealed.

In our study, we consider features the application of caesium-137 to the assess soil losses on an arable slope located in the periglacial zone of the Russian Plain. The study is conducted on the example of an experimental area (an agricultural field in the basin of the Sukhaya Orlitsa River, upper Oka basin within the Oryol region). We discuss the expediency of the polygonal-block structures (located at the paleocryogenic origin watershed surface) accounting when establishing a background value of caesium-137. The specific activity of caesium-137 acts as an indicator of washout degree of soils. We assessed the values of the coefficients of variation for caesium-137 radioactivity using set of soil samples collected along two transects (#114 and #91224) on the watershed surface (86 samples). The coefficients of variation are small (up to 0.12). We prove that the statistical evaluation of the caesium-137 variability have not be a basis when establishing background value of caesium-137 radioactivity. Our study shows that it is necessary to estimate the background value at block elevations where the soil profile has a plow sole at the depth of the arable horizon (caesium-137 radioactivity sharp decrease is observed directly below arable horizon). We compare also the results of caesium-137 specific activity estimations (made at three locations at block elevations of watershed surface, where layer-by-layer soil sampling was conducted) and the average radioactivity estimated at 86 locations (on transects #114 and #91224). We show that the average caesium-137 radioactivity (estimated at 86 locations) being taken as a background radioactivity value leads to underestimation of the soil loss intensity is by ~7.3 tons per 1 hectare per year. We conclude that the specific activity in the experimental area should be estimated basing on layerby-layer soil samples collected at block elevations (despite the low variability caesium-137 radioactivity values in a set of 86 sample). 

The evolution of the upstream part of the Volga River, the Upper Volga, is still uncertain. According to the most popular model, the river emerged after the MIS 2 proglacial lakes, supposedly formed in its basin, were drained 14.5 ka after the Plyos and Tutayev incision valleys formation. To test this hypothesis, we aimed to determine the mechanism of formation and age of the incision valleys using luminescence dating. Also, we used a GIA model to assess one of the possible ways of proglacial lakes formation. We found that the terrace located in the Plyos incision valley dates back to late MIS 6 – MIS 5, proving that the valley is much older than the proposed MIS 2 age. Since no evidence of limnic sediments were found in the valley and the modelling did not show a significant GIA influence on the basin that could lead to the proglacial lake formation, we can assume that the valley was not occupied by lake water in MIS 2. Apparently, previous researchers mistook various loams and silts, widely developed on the slopes and in the bottom of the valley, for MIS 2 lake sediments. According to our dating data, these sediments do date back to MIS 2, but are rather of slope and aeolian origin. Following our GIA modelling results, during MIS 2 the Upper Volga valley was affected by a glacial forebulge formation. Its height was not enough to dam up the Volga, but the forebulge relaxation process caused the valley slope to gradually decrease. Due to that accumulation followed, confirmed by the presence of a river terrace of an appropriate age. During late MIS 2, disappearance of the forebulge led the river to incise.