Late bronze age settlements in the system of oxbow lakes of Beregovsky archaeological district (Bashkir Cisurals)

The article provides preliminary interpretations of collected archaeological materials on wood log settlements of the late Bronze Age Ozerki 1-5. The settlements are situated on the banks of the oxbow lakes of Beregovsky archaeological district, which is located on the foothills of the Western slopes of southern Urals. The special character of Beregovsky district is conditioned by the latitudinal direction of the flow of the river Belaya. The topography of the area is well expressed at the crossroad of ancient rivers. Multiple advanced cup-shaped shells developed in the area. Due to the particular natural environment and special characteristics of the local soil the area developed unique fauna. Environmental conditions at the time of the camps' existence were reconstructed in the course of our research. Relationships of the natural environment and the role of the oxbow lakes in the development of the settlements' system in Beregovsky district of the late Bronze Age are revealed and described. Results of the research showed that the most common types of settlements were located in the coastal area of the lake. The area of Beregovsko-Ozerkovskaya archaeological sites was distinguished. These sites are characterized by compact human settlements and by the presence of additional settlements on distant pastures.