Anthropogenic transformation of landscapes in ancient times (on the example of the town of Artesian in Crimean Pryazovia)

Abstract

Abstract On the basis of a comparative analysis of known historical and archaeological data the paper shows the formation of the anthropogenic landscape for the period of 800 years of the ancient town of Artesian (Crimean Pryazovia). It was found that the process of transformation of all components of biocenoses has not always been progressive. In certain periods (war, earthquake) there was a decrease in the anthropogenic load and the natural landscapes were restored on the periphery of the territory controlled by the town. However, these periods did not change the overall outcome – radical and irreversible change of all components of the landscape by man. The obtained data are well aligned with known literary findings about the significant human influence on landscapes in past eras and confirm their existence in the northeastern part of Crimea.