| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of the study is to carry out a comparative causative analysis of population systems in the territory of Lithuania in the 1st–12th century AD. For this purpose, a unique GIS GDB of archaeological sites and find spots of Iron Age in Lithuania was compiled making advantage of the possibilities offered by GIS technologies. The comprehensive analysis of chronological development of territory population (by cultural groups localized in the territory of Lithuania) systems was carried out distinguishing their progression, change, stability and regression stages. The results obtained by detailed cartographic analysis allowed supplementing the data obtained by other researchers who have investigated the structural homogeneity of cultural areas and distinguished their kernel areas, peripheries, unpopulated tribal and intertribal territories, and peripheral areas of mixed cultural possession. Much attention was paid to the boundaries of cultural areas and their changes. The territorial unevenness of the spread of innovations is pointed out and their seed-beds and centres of old tradition distinguished. The regional differences of population and ethnogenetic processes in the territory of Lithuania were evaluated in close correlation with the natural environment as a determining factor of paramount importance. A concept of natural environment and integrity of cultural divisions (ethnogeocoenoses) is presented and used as an ideological and theoretical basis for further structural analysis of territory population systems. The adaptation of communities to heterogeneous natural environment is discussed emphasizing the system differences of the structure and development of population systems in East Lithuania (East Lithuanian region of barrow culture (ELBC)) and in the rest of Lithuania. For their explanation, two alternative hypotheses with a common denominator or causality (different forms of land use predetermined by natural environment) were distinguished. This issue only fragmentarily has been discussed in the works of Lithuanian researchers. |
