Methodology of large-scale research in landscape history

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present an original methodology that has been prepared for large-scale landscape-historical research. The most important methods of landscape-historical research are the systematic comparative-geographical and landscape-historical-archaeological approaches; and the main subjects of this research are not only natural territorial or natural-anthropogenic complexes, but also landscape-economic systems and landscape-historical complexes that reflect economic or spiritual human activities in specific landscape conditions during certain historical periods. A key component of landscape-historical research, complex both in subjects and in methods used, is the compilation of multiscale maps of several hierarchical levels (from regional to local) using GIS technologies, and compiling a series of multi-temporal maps for the model areas. The combination of field and desk field methods (landscape, historical, archaeological, paleogeographic, paleopedological, historical and geobotanical, various types of mapping and other natural scientific methods) with desk methods (the analysis of cartographic, collection materials) and remote-sensing methods (the analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images) allows researcher to track spontaneous and anthropogenic changes in specific landscapes, to reconstruct nature management systems and landscape living conditions of settlers, to identify the specifics of the formation of a settlement structure for the main historical chronosections, to determine the features of the interaction of man and landscape at different stages of its economic development.