Geographical and climatic preconditions for the location of settlements from different periods in the Kokentau mountain range
Assylbekov K. Aitkali A. Zhuniskhanov A.
2025Margulan Institute of Archaeology
Kazakhstan Archeology
2025#28Issue 2304 - 316 pp.
The article examines the distribution area of Bronze Age settlements, taking into account climatic factors such as snow cover, wind direction, and terrain features. The settlement complexes are predominantly located on the northern side of the mountain range, in areas protected on all sides except the north. An analysis of climatic conditions showed that during winter, the prevailing winds blow from the south and southeast, and the mountainous terrain acts as a natural barrier, reducing the impact of cold air flows. A study of long-term satellite data from Landsat and Sentinel-2, covering a period of more than 30 years, revealed specific characteristics of snow cover in the region. The analysis results showed that the northern slopes of the range are characterized by minimal snow accumulation, which created favorable conditions for settlements by providing easy access to resources and reducing the risk of snowdrifts. GIS mapping using climatic, geomorphological, ethnographic, and remote sensing data confirmed that the location of the settlements corresponds to optimal climatic conditions, providing protection from harsh winter factors.
Bronze Age settlement , geoinformation mapping , Kokentau , landscape archaeology , remote sensing data , visual interpretation , wintering
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Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Astana, Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Margulan Institute of Archaeology
Nazarbayev University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
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