HUMAN IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEOLITHIC BRONZE-AGE IN SOUTHERN PRIMORYE (FAR-EASTERN RUSSIA)

In the Early Neolithic (7th to 5th millennia sc) the principal compone nts of the palaeoeconomy in Southern Primorye were hunting, fishing an d gathering. Human impact on the natural environment was restricted to burning and trampling of the vegetation near archaeological sites. Hu nting, fishing and gathering continued in the Late Neolithic (4th to 3 rd millennia sc) and the Bronze Age (end of 4th to the 3rd millennia s c), but cattle-breeding and agriculture appeared. The first reliable f ind of cultivated millet (Setaria italica L.) dates to 4150+/-60 BP (R UL-177); 2925-2550 cal. sc. The increased human impact on the environm ent is reflected in pollen spectra from cultural layers; the main effe cts post-date 4000-4500 BP (3230-2550 cal. sc).