Changes in the environment of the Kremlin hilland its vicinities in the medieval period

The paper provides results of palynological studies of three cuts fromexcavation trench II at sections 1.1 and 2.1. This research reconstructs environments in theeastern part of the Kremlin Hill in the period from the 10th-11th centuries to the 14th century.The earliest layers examined are attributed to the medieval climatic optimum, i. e.the 10th-11th centuries, when climatic conditions were warmer than today. Landscapesnot yet affected by man-made activities still existed in the studied area at that time. Theselandscapes consisted of broad-leaved lime tree forests with a low percentage of spruceand pine which were replaced by mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests as the climatebecame colder and by coniferous forests during the coldest periods. Changes associatedwith the startup of this area development were identified, it was the period when the forestarea reduced, cultivated land and ruderal vegetation appeared. Changes of the environmentcaused by fires were also reviewed.