Kotova N. Cultural-historical processes in the Northern Black Sea region in VI-V thousands BC.

The research covers the cultural-historical processes in steppe area between Dnieper and Don during 6000-4200 BC. Chronology and periodization of Surskaya, Rakyshechnoyarskaya, Azovo-Dneprovskaya, Niznedonskaya and Sredny Stog cultures are analyzed. Characteristics of their material culture and funeral rite are given and hypothesis about their origins and complex nature of economy are presented. Cultural-historical processes in the Neolithic were represented by adaptation to climatic changes (migrations and changes of economy). In the age of early metal the mastering of the first metal was added to adaptations. These processes as well as contacts with neighbors caused changes in cultural traditions of steppe population. Key words: cultural-historical processes, Neolithic, Eneolithic, Northern Black Sea region, economy, social structure.