The Neolithization of Northern Black Sea area in the context of climate changes

Abstract

The neolithisation of the Pontic steppe was a long process, with four stages which were associated with climate changes. It began c. 7500 calBC, with early animal husbandry in the western Azov Sea area. The beginning of the second stage was connected with an arid climate (7000–6900 calBC) and the origin of the Rakushechny Yar culture in the Lower Don region. The third stage (6500–6300 calBC) occurred during a humid period. Besides animal husbandry, the steppe population borrowed the first pottery from the Rakushechny Yar culture. The fourth phase (6300–6000 calBC) was connected with extreme aridity and the neolithisation of the modern forest-steppe and forest zones of Ukraine and Russia.