The role of plants and animals in the livelihood of kraskino fortress population

The article presents an overview of the most important results obtained during a comprehensive study of archaeological materials of Kraskino fortress with the primary goal to clarify the exact role of particular plants and animals in the livelihood of its population. The site was the center of Yanzhou capital district in Balhae State (698-926). To reconstruct in detail the paleogeographic environment that surrounded local people at that time the authors employed pollen-and-spore analysis. It was revealed that the medieval town endured interminable microclimatic fluctuations and stresses which significantly affected the livelihood of its population. Despite hardships, however, the Balhae people managed to grow at least nine cultured plants, raised up to five species of domestic animals, and practiced poultry. Hunting and fishing, whaling, gathering marine mollusks or wild plants never ceased to be practiced here yet retained secondary importance for the population of Kraskino fortress.