ИСТИНА

The analysis of land use history of the Meshchera Lowlands since the Neolithic has been realized on three key areas, located in the north of Ryazan region in different natural conditions. The first area is located at the lowest part of the Meshchera Lowlands, with many lakes, wetlands and poor sandy soils. The second one is situated at the junction of low, largely swamped area, with poor sandy soils and better drained territory, with loamy soils. The third study region includes elevated eroded karst plateau with loess fertile soils and a part of the Oka River valley with sandy terraces and meadows on floodplains. The archeological and paleobotanical data (Middle and Late Holocene), maps of the General Land Survey (XVIII century), Atlas of Mende maps (XIX century), satellite imagery Corona (XX century) and modern satellite images (XXI century) were used to reconstruct long-term anthropogenic influences on landscapes. The obtained results show that the first key region was characterized by early human settlements on shores of lakes (Neolithic-early Bronze Age), the lowest percent of arable land and a relatively low population density. The second area was populated later, the share of arable land was permanently low, and the population was concentrated along the main road. The forestry dominated in land use structure. The third area, so called “Kasimov Opolie”, was intensively used by human since the Neolithic up to now. The territory is marked by highest population density and share of arable land.