Человек и природа в кочевых обществах Центральной Азии (III в. до н.э. – XVI в. н.э.)

Drobyshev Yuliy

Man and Nature in the Nomadic Societies of Inner Asia (III B.C. – XVI A.D.).

Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Москва, 2014, 608 p.

The monograph is devoted to the history of interrelation of nomadic peoples of Inner Asia (Hsiung-nu, Xianbi, Rourans, Ancient Turks, Uighurs, the Kyrgyz, Khitah, and Mongols from III cent. B.C. till XVI cent. A.D.) with surrounding space. The research is aimed at little-studied in Russian and world science problems of adaptation of material and spiritual culture of nomadic peoples to difficult natural and climatic conditions. Consideration of the subject from two methodological platforms – humanitarian and natural scientific – allowed widening substantially the range of researched questions and finding some new solutions. On a vast factual material special features of nomadic cattle breeding, as a basis of nomads’ life are shown. Hunting, agriculture and cities construction are also given light in the book. The role of religions factor in nature management and attitude toward the environment is discussed. Much attention is paid to ideological aspects of nomad states. The book is meant for specialists – experts in nomads history, historians, ethnologists, as well as for a wide readership, interested in nomads of Inner Asia.