Химия в интересах устойчивого развития

Grave III/11 of Karos-Eperjesszög is an exceptionally lavish assemblage of the 10th-century AD archaeological record of the Carpathian Basin; it has been interpreted by many as a leader’s burial. Therefore, specifying its dating is essential for the research of the era. The grave is of key importance not only for the settlement history of the Upper Tisza Region in the first half of the 10th century AD but also, on a broader prospect, for outlining the framework and particulars of the Hungarian Conquest. With regard to this historical event, one must highlight the scarcity and incompleteness of relevant data in available written sources and the fact that about a dozen radiocarbon results became available in the past years which point to related activity before the conventional AD 895 date. The mainly lonely weapon burials of adult men interred between AD 860 and 900 may be connected with written sources that mention early Hungarian troops regularly appearing in the Carpathian Basin from as early as AD 862.This paper presents all nine radiocarbon dates from the grave and provides Bayesian models based on them, the possible chronological connections of the feature with Grave II/52, a burial dated by coins, and a recent hypothesis that men in the two graves were brothers, which was formulated based on archaeogenetical results.The paper concludes the grave clusters with early Hungarian burials from the late 9th century AD — but is dated before AD 895 — of the Upper Tisza Region.In a broader sense, the examined graves have opened a new perspective for the research of the era by making us re-evaluate the accessibility and interpretability of the pre-Conquest Period of Hungarian prehistory — for example, by highlighting the relevance and necessity of further (e.g., strontium isotope) analyses of the man from Grave III/11, who had undoubtedly been born in Etelköz in the east (cf. Subotcy horizon). Creating such a framework was our goal in 2023 upon embarking on a project to compile a Bayesian model of all available radiocarbon dates from the Hungarian Conquest Period, with a core comprising only radiocarbon data of graves dated by coins. In the meantime, new developments in the archaeological research in Moldavia and Ukraine, together with recent results of archaeogenetical investigations in Hungary, have resulted in a reliable separation of the archaeological record representing in Eastern Europe the immediate, 9th-century predecessors of the Hungarians of the Conquest Period. The Subotcy horizon matches surprisingly well the important dates indicated by written sources (e.g., AD 836, 862, and 895); therefore, these were also reckoned with in our model.

Introduction. In the direct aftermath of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet religious policy changed and initially started being characterized nationwide by somewhat mitigated attitudes towards faith movements and religion in general — only to experience another harder line soon. This is evidenced by historical facts at regional levels, including the events witnessed by the then Tuva. After the once independent Tuvan People’s Republic joined the Soviet Union as autonomous region of the RSFSR in 1944, it started being incorporated into the Soviet legal framework and regulated by Soviet legislation. Thus, the Buddhist, Orthodox Christian, Old Believer and Protestant communities of Tuvan Autonomous Oblast became objects of the post-war Soviet government’s religious policy. Goals. The article attempts a review of conditions experienced by Tuva’s faith communities in the context of the 1940s Soviet religious policy. Materials and methods. The study focuses on documents housed by the State Archive of Russia. The newly introduced archival materials cast light on some features inherent to relations between aforementioned communities and government agencies at national and regional levels. Special attention is given to activities of local religious associations and their clergy. Results. The complex, non-linear and ambiguous post-war religious policy aimed at using faith associations in the interests of government resulted in that only Orthodox Christians succeeded in obtaining official registration and the opportunity to conduct legal religious activities. The remaining believers — including the overwhelming Buddhist majority of Tuva — would fail to obtain any official permission for legal existence and had to operate illegally. The paper reviews available historical documents to partially restore the history of faith institutions and the chronology of corresponding events related to religious life across the region in the period under consideration.

Introduction. The history of the empire of Amir Timur and domains ruled by his descendants has been subject to many studies dealing with political history, administrative-military system, tribes and clans, social structure and other aspects. However, the history of Ilchikdai Ulus — a largest military-nomadic domain of the empire which served a stronghold in the shaping of Amir Timur’s state and his empire — has remained beyond the scope of researchers’ interests. Goals. The paper attempts an analytical insight into a variety of sources to trace the formation processes of Ilchikdai Ulus in the empire of Amir Timur and examine its history. Materials. The study employs a number of sources relating both to the history of Amir Timur’s empire and that of the tribes to have been part of the domain under consideration — the Durbat, Nukus, Kipchak, and Naiman. The sources include as follows: The Book of Victories by Sharaf ad-Din Ali Yazdi, Mu’izz al-ansab, Shams al-husn by Khoja Taj ad-Din Salmani, Muntahab at-tawarikh-i Mu‛ini by Mu‛in ad-din Natanzi, Zubdat al-Tavarikh by Hafiz-i Abru, History of Yuan (Yuán Shǐ), Bahr al-asrar fi manakib al-akhyar by Mahmud ibn Vali, The Secret History of the Mongols (Yuáncháo Mìshǐ), The Compendium of Chronicles by Rashid al-Din, Habib-us-siyar by Ghiyath al-Din Khvandamir, Zayn al-akhbar by Abū Saʿīd ʿAbd-al-Ḥayy ibn Żaḥḥāk ibn Maḥmūd Gardīzī and others. The principle of historicism proves instrumental in depicting ethnocultural processes within Amir Timur’s empire and Ilchikdai Ulus throughout the specified period. Component analysis tools have been used to reveal key ethnogenetic problems in the study of clan and tribal relations. Results. Ilchikdai Ulus had been formed through the resettlement of the nomadic tribes of Durbats, Nukuzes, Kipchaks, and Naimans from the Irtysh deep into Chagatai Ulus by Khan Eljigidey (Ilchigidai) in the early fourteenth century. Conclusions. The shaping of the empire of Amir Timur — along with his native Barlas tribe — was most significantly contributed to by representatives of Ilchikdai Ulus who inter alia would serve as military and political elites — and enter the circle of his closest associates. Natives of Ilchikdai Ulus would form mighty clans that held highest positions in the empire.

Introduction. In 1790–1792, Stavropol Kalmyk Host participated in the Russo-Swedish War and patrolled the Belarusian border. The reasons behind the long deployment remain somewhat debatable. Materials and methods. The article focuses on archival documents and published sources. The historical-genetic method proves most instrumental herein, while it is the reconstruction method that yields extended analytical insights into epistolary sources. Results. The Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790 was attended by three Bashkir regiments, crews of Orenburg Cossacks and Stavropol Kalmyks. The irregular units were to reinforce Russian troops since the army was engaged in the Russo-Turkish War. Furthermore, the former’s involvement was meant to intimidate the enemy. A supporter the Swedish king, Prussia was actively spreading the myth Russia be a country inhabited by ‘barbarians’. The imaginary ‘Kalmyk-Tatar’ threat was declared in Sweden. Since 1789, two Bashkir regiments had been engaged in combat operations. In 1790, Orenburg Cossacks and Stavropol Kalmyks were summoned to reinforce the troops: together they formed a detachment that took part in repelling a Swedish landing operation. The Bashkirs dispatched ‘to horrify’ the enemy units proved brave warriors, and either did reinforcing Stavropol Kalmyks and Orenburg Cossacks which was noted by commanding officers. In 1790, armed hostilities with Prussia and Poland were expected. The newly formed Dvina Army that included two Bashkir and one Mishar regiments, crews of Orenburg Cossacks and Stavropol Kalmyks was to defend the Baltics and Belarus. The sight of ethnic cavalry groups on the border gave rise to rumors about Asian peoples — horse meat eaters and potentially even cannibals. The presence of Bashkirs, Mishars and Kalmyks along the borderline did have certain positive impacts. In July 1792, Russian troops invaded Poland via Volhynia and occupied Warsaw. In September, the Kalmyks, Bashkirs, Mishars and Cossacks were dispatched home. Conclusions. The participation of Stavropol Kalmyks in the Russo-Swedish War and their border service in 1790–1792 was the second successful campaign against European armies. The long expedition of Bashkirs and Mishars, Orenburg Cossacks and Stavropol Kalmyks was the first mass relocation of irregular troops from Orenburg Krai to join Russian field forces. This experience was repeated in the Napoleonic Wars. In 1790–1792, Stavropol Kalmyks — fighting the Swedes and patrolling the border — were simultaneously performing an important task of demonstrating the unity of Imperial Russia’s peoples under Empress Catherine II to Europe.

Introduction. The paper examines osteometric data from Middle Bronze Age Catacomb burials across the Sarpa Lowland to characterize some skeletal features and identify if there is any homogeneity degree between male and female samples. Material and methods. The sampling comprises 33 adult individuals, including 22 males and 11 females. The postcranial measurement methodology follows the program of R. Martin edited by V. P. Alekseev and employs the rubrics of osteological features proposed by Y. Y. Roginsky, M. G. Levin, V. V. Bunak and A. G. Tikhonov. Analyses of longitudinal dimensions and reconstructed body lengths involve D. V. Pezhemsky’s rubrics. Statistical processing of numerical data implemented using the Excel program of the standard Microsoft Office package. Results. The investigated samples show medium-massive upper limbs and elongated lower ones. Osteological arm lengths in males and females cluster with the category of mean values — 585.1 mm and 534.1 mm, respectively. Osteological leg lengths also have mean values — 831 mm in males and 757.4 mm in females. The average reconstructed male body length is 170.8 cm, while the female one is 157.9 cm. The observed signs of well-developed skeletal muscles attest to essential physical exertions during labor activities. In general, the obtained results indicate some heterogeneity of postcranial samples in the Middle Bronze Age Catacomb culture population of the Sarpa Lowland.

Introduction. The article examines some activities of Russia’s leading spiritual institution — Kazan Theological Academy — which was training missionaries throughout the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. Goals. The article seeks to characterize research endeavors of the Academy’s students in the field of Buddhism. Our review and analysis of term papers attest to Russian spiritual institutions adopted elements of classical comparative theology — including denunciation of other doctrines, description of Christianity’s superiority over other faiths — and taught would-be missionaries certain methods of converting non-Russians to Christianity. Materials. The study focuses on archival documents contained in Catalogue 2 of Collection 10 (‘Kazan Theological Academy’) at the State Archive of Tatarstan, and is first to introduce the latter into scientific circulation. Results. A total of 62 documents happen to deal with the topic under study within Catalogue 2. Term papers authored by students of Kazan Theological Academy indicate their appeals to the theme of Buddhism were fuelled by practical concerns. Materials covering various aspects of Buddhism and translations of Buddhist religious texts proper are of undoubted interest. Conclusions. In the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, a distinguished school of comparative theology took shape in K azan. The students would turn to theoretical and methodological foundations of new trends in religious studies (European religious teachings and comparative theology), meticulously investigate historical documents and primary sources, undertake prominent efforts of translating Buddhist religious texts to conduct comprehensive research that has no analogues in theological science. Competent argumentation, convincing logic of presentation, critical insights into both Christianity and the alien (to them) Buddhist doctrine were characteristic of those works. The subject of research would be explicitly comprehended and carefully explored by the authors. Many such studies in comparative theology actually aimed at denying Buddhism the status of religion, which is evidenced by their titles. The Revolution and subsequent closing of Kazan Theological Academy interrupted the scholarly traditions of an oldest spiritual institution but its legacy in the form of students’ term papers is still of utmost interest and needs further study.

Introduction. The paper actually attempts a source study. Goals. The work aims at introducing into scientific circulation some materials on the eighteenth-century history of the Kalmyk Khanate collected by the outstanding Russian historian and archaeologist Ivan E. Zabelin (1820–1908). The documents articulate additional data on how the Russian imperial government bestowed the title of khan to Donduk-Dashi, and that of namestnik (Russ. ‘viceroy’) — to his son Ubashi. Materials. The study focuses on documents collected by I. Zabelin and nowadays contained in the researcher’s archives at Written Sources Department of the State Historical Museum. The key one among the former is a handwritten journal describing the journey of Astrakhan Governor to the Kalmyk Khanate. Results. In Russian historiography, issues of Kalmykia’s history from the mentioned period have been considered already, yet the introduced documents do shed additional light on them. In particular, the documents indicate both sides attached utmost importance to the ceremony of appointing Donduk-Dashi as Khan and his son Ubashi as Viceroy. This is evidenced by the detailed observations of diplomatic and military etiquette, solemn oaths, mutual treats, and the exchange of luxury gifts. The ceremony was also intended to be perceived by the Kalmyk people as an act associated with certain changes in their social environment. Conclusions. In addition, the source reports on the newly appointed Khan dispatched a military corps under the command a local chieftain and agreed to follow the Russian foreign policy line, which indicates the Russian government was eager to win over Kalmyk elites and the entire people to its side. The selection of documents from I. Zabelin’s archives attests to the historian did take keen interest in this aspect of Russian nationhood.

Introduction. The geographical feature of the Volga-Ural region is its location on the border of Europe and Asia, which, together with the proximity to the Caspian steppes, Ciscaucasia and Siberia, facilitated as the formation of many migration and trade routes connecting these regions in different historical periods, which in turn affected the ethnogenesis of the peoples of the region. Genetic features underlying the inheritance of human pigmentation features are the subject of active study by molecular and population geneticists. Goals. The work aims to study the distribution of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic variants rs12913832 of the HERC2 gene and rs1042602 of the TYR gene in the Mordvin and Udmurt populations. Materials and methods. The investigated material includes DNA isolated from the peripheral blood of Udmurts (N = 95) and Mordvins (N = 59). Blood sampling was performed after signing an informed consent to participate in the scientific study. A comparative analysis was conducted between the studied populations and populations of the world. Results. Our study revealы statistically significant differences (p≤0.05) in the distribution of allele frequencies and genotypes of polymorphic variants of rs12913832 of the HERC2 gene and rs1042602 of the TYR gene in the Mordvin and Udmurt populations. The results of the study are consistent with the data of anthropologists on the analyzed ethnic groups and are an important link in the study of the ethnogenesis of the Finno-Permian populations of Russia. Conclusions. These features of the distribution of allele frequencies of melanogenesis genes in the Mordvins and Udmurts should be taken into account in population genetic, ethnological, as well as in associative and pharmacogenetic studies.

Introduction. Perceptions of Khorasan cities by Russian travelers and diplomats have so far remained historiographically uninvestigated. Goals. The article attempts an analysis of corresponding eyewitness accounts compiled by the latter between the 1870s and the 1910s. Results. The paper reveals some reasons behind the interest towards Khorasan, including Russia’s annexation of Transcaspia. The work outlines how images of Khorasan cities would take shape in narratives of Russian subjects, their attitudes to spatial layouts of the cities, development of suburbs, everyday life of citizens, and the latter’s moral portraits. Special attention is paid to the Russian travelers and diplomats’ analyses of what caused the crisis — and how it was manifested — faced by Khorasan cities in the late nineteenth century. In addition, the article shows the articulated prospects for further development of the cities, mainly through expanded relations between Khorasan and Russia. Conclusions. The article resumes somewhat Orientalist tradition dominated the examined works of Russians, which lead to critical attitudes and misunderstandings of many life foundations across the cities of Khorasan. The authors would constantly draw analogies between cities of Europe and Persia to show backwardness of the eastern settlements. They insisted political instability, traditionalism, and economic problems had most negative impacts on urban culture of Eastern Persia. Despite the emerging signs of civilization — in European eyes — the cities of the region never met their expectations of how ‘folktale-type’ cities of the East were to look like (including the observed stagnation and desolation). And the only exception therein was Mashhad.

Introduction. The article examines origins of ethnic culture as a worldview system. It makes the first attempt to review pre-scientific (profane) knowledge and ideas of man about the world and existence, coexistence with natural forces, animals and plants, worships of personified spirits represented in folk art and lore. Goals. The work outlines a linguocultural interpretation of how pagan ideas about the world as a special linguocultural model would be verbalized (in particular, a thematic block of the ‘man-and-nature’ model), the latter be expressed in folk narratives, ethnic markers and paremias of the Russian, Tuvan and Bashkir languages. Materials and methods. The study focuses on Russian, Tuvan and Bashkir folktales, legends and proverbs that reflect anthropocentric perceptions of the surrounding reality. The linguoculturological method (or linguoculturological fields one of acc. to V. Vorobiev) proves most instrumental in identifying certain cultural meanings and verbalized symbols of human understanding of the natural world determined by the system of ancient worldviews of Russian, Bashkir and Tuvan peoples — as manifested anthropological cultural codes in the analyzed texts, including paremias. The lexical-semantic and descriptive methods, those of comparative and diachronic analyses have been employed too. Results. Our linguocultural analysis reveals the paganism of Eastern Slavs as a set of mythological ideas from the pre-Christian era did find its reflections in the worldview of the Russian people: a naturalistic attitude towards nature entailed the endowment of objects of the material world with human traits. Traces of such understandings of the interaction between nature and man are still preserved in the everyday Russian linguistic picture of the world. In Bashkir mythology, animated descriptions of nature are traced in legends, rites, proverbs. Mythological ideas of Tuvans express the principle of unity between society and nature, while shamanism acts as a form of pagan beliefs proper. The paper resumes that elements of mythological worldviews related to archaic thinking at large and the whole lexical and paremiological corpora of the investigated languages still articulate archaic attitudes and cultural codes. The study describes a linguocultural mechanism of how mythological essentials are verbalized in Russian and Turkic (Bashkir, Tuvan) languages to reveal somewhat universal and ethnic features in worldviews of corresponding peoples.

Introduction. The article examines one practice of social gatherings — meshrep — among Xinjiang Uyghurs characterized by distinctive culture with strong Islamic influences. Goals. The paper attempts a comprehensive description of meshrep’s structure. To facilitate this, the work shall characterize certain elements of the custom, consider the latter in historical retrospect, analyze some present-day risks and threats. Materials and methods. The study focuses on analytical insights into ethnographic and historical writings by Russian and foreign researchers. Tools of structural and sociocultural analysis coupled with a synergetic approach have proved most instrumental herein. Results. The Uyghur meshrep traditionally distinguished by its etiquettical and playful essentials used to imply a joint meal, prayers, literary recitals, musical accompaniments, singing and dancing. Meshrep was not only to entertain but rather to socialize and educate young people, which entailed certain fines and punishments for its violations. And far not all punishments were that comic, while real ones primarily comprised social condemnation. Participants of the Uighur meshrep would not only have fun together but also discuss and tackle topical challenges faced by their community. Conclusions. The significance of meshrep is emphasized by that this custom has been included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Meshreps used to preserve and transmit traditions, socialize younger generations, and even serve as informal courts. Such meetings became widespread enough and took the form of sociopolitical clubs for national movement activists. In the twentieth century, the tradition began to weaken, and at the stage of restoration it was negatively influenced by the Chinese authorities: a truly folk custom would be replaced by mere commercialized performances.

Introduction. The paper examines some features inherent to the shaping of Britain’s Pacific policy throughout the early-to-mid nineteenth century in China. The issue was never approached comprehensively in the context of UK parliamentary debates that first mentioned the term ‘Pacific policy’. Additionally, the work is first to analyze the mentioned aspects in the context corruption then practiced both in China and Great Britain. The foreign-policy agenda to have included the British trade in opium, naval blockades and corruption is abundant in contradictions between the nations yet to be revealed in further research. Goals. The study seeks to analyze the evolution and features inherent to the shaping of Britain’s Pacific policy in China in the context of how the very policy was being articulated by the UK Parliament, and the problem of corruption faced by both the countries in the early-to-mid nineteenth century. To facilitate this, the work shall consider the stands of UK government and parliament members who sought to give grounds for the Pacific policy with the aid of laws, the media, colonial ideologies, and naval blockades of Chinese ports. Materials and methods. The paper focuses on materials of parliamentary debates, legislative enactments, British print media, personal documents, periodicals of Australia and India. The historical-genetic and system-analysis methods have proved most instrumental herein. Results. As is shown, the early nineteenth century was witnessing initial attempts to develop some Pacific policy in the UK Parliament, e.g., it was offered to expand trade with China through the port of Canton and use warships for national interests. The subsequent anti-corruption enactments would coordinate activities of British superintendents and prohibit them from accepting gifts or engaging in any personal trade. The latter would also be granted powers and privileges previously owned by representatives of the East India Company. The UK Parliament was seeking to control the corrupt Chinese government, but corruption was as characteristic of Britain’s public administration too. The rationale for the new foreign-policy course was that the very vector of colonial policy changed ― from India to China, and they were striving to preserve commercial profits and displace the monopoly of the East India Company. Military operations in Chinese waters diplomatically referred to as ‘the Expedition’ in the UK Parliament did consolidate the shaping of Britain’s Pacific policy characterized by the use of naval forces and sea blockades, corruption and military invasions conducted with minimal costs. The deployment of naval forces to China, their financing and military actions were cynically justified in the Parliament as ‘protection of the UK’s national interests’.

Introduction. The dictionaries compiled by eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century travelers and missionaries are of particular importance for the study of the then living Kalmyk speech. Works authored by those travelers — including J. H. Klaproth — essentially contribute to the recording and study of Kalmyk, provide valuable insights into phonetic processes and language structures at large. Goals. The article attempts an analysis of grapho-phonetic features inherent to the vowels а and ä in Kalmyk words (and wordbooks) recorded from the Olot on the Volga and in Dzungaria by the German researcher Julius Heinrich von Klaproth. Materials. The study focuses on J. H. Klaproth’s word list contained in his Asia Polyglotta (1831) and republished by Gerhard Dörfer in Ältere Westeuropäische Quellen zür Kalmückischen Sprachgeschichte (1965). The to be analyzed wordbook in the form of a MS Excel table supplemented with modern Kalmyk spelling patterns and Russian translations was uploaded onto the LingvoDoc platform for subsequent investigation. Results. Our analysis of the graphemes a and ä in J. H. Klaproth’s wordbook resumes the vocabulary of Dzungaria’s Olots is closer to Proto-Mongolian forms, since it preserves those patterns that had undergone changes in the dialect spoken by Olots on the Volga. The vocabulary of Dzungaria’s Olots is characterized by that the law of vowel harmony is observed in most cases, though a number of isolated deviations from the norm can still be traced. Lexemes with the analyzed graphemes reflect both regular and innovative processes in the dialects, which indicates two separate dialects in the Oirat language used to co-exist, the latter be relatively close to each other but distinguished by specific features that generally distance them from modern Kalmyk dialects. Some design attributes attest to J. H. Klaproth devoted more time to the dialect of Dzungaria’s Olots, which is manifested in detailed stress marks and somewhat complete list of lexemes included, despite many of the latter are present in modern Kalmyk.

Introduction. The year 2024 has witnessed a variety of jubilee events celebrating the 105th anniversary of the institution of Kamby-Lama of Tuva, which gives rise to an increased interest towards the personality of Ven. Lopsan-Chamzy — the first Kamby-Lama of Tuva — and key aspects of his political biography and spiritual path. Goals. The article seeks to introduce Ven. Lopsan-Chamzy to the public and attempts an evaluation of his role in the shaping of Tuvan spiritual life during a most difficult and important period of Tuva’s history. Materials and methods. The comprehensive review of the identified topic is based on a wide range of historical sources housed by the National Archive of the Tyva Republic, Tuvan Institute for Humanities and Applied Socioeconomic Research (Scientific Archives), Center of Oriental Manuscripts and Woodcuts (IMBT SB RAS). Classical Mongolian- and Tibetan-language documents have proved as useful in assessing the scale of Kamby-Lama Lopsan-Chamzy’s influence on Tuvan spiritual development. The paper tends to focus on the first Kamby-Lama’s origin, his spiritual education and guidance in the development of Ustuu-Khuree Monastery, the authority enjoyed by Ven. Lopsan-Chamzy across Western Tuva, and his high spiritual attainments. Results. The study shows the first Pandito Kamby-Lama of Tuva Lopsan-Chamzy was an important historical figure throughout the first quarter of the twentieth century, and remained a highly-educated monk who strictly and honestly observed the once taken vows. His authority and influence extended far beyond the walls of Ustuu-Khuree Monastery and lands of Western Tuva. The very existence of the Tibetan-language Prayer for the Long Life of Kamby-Lama Lopsan-Chamzy compiled by the Fourth Khunchen Kelsang ThuptenWangchuk actually attests to the former’s status as a highly realized spiritual master. Unfortunately, the life that he lived with dignity for the benefit of his people and further transmission of Buddhist teachings in Tuva tragically ended in 1930 as a result of political repression. Nonetheless, his name and exploits were never set to oblivion. On 25 July 2024, Head of the Tyva Republic Vladislav Khovalyg signed a decree on restoring the good name and perpetuating the memory of Ven. Ondar Lopsan-Chamzy, the first Pandito Kamby-Lama of Tuva.

Introduction. The The Pleiades star cluster was the most important asterism in the life of Inner and Central Asian nomads — of all the astral objects visible in the night sky — as a guide in time and space during the hours of darkness. The study is relevant enough since it further clarifies and expands the understanding of Turko-Mongolian traditional astronomical knowledge. Goals. The paper examines two versions of how the Pleiades influence climate traced in worldviews of Turko-Mongols inhabiting the designated region, and some popular interpretations of certain astronomical phenomena associated with the Pleiades. Materials and methods. The work employs a comprehensive, systemic-historical approach to investigate the past, the research methodology being that inherent to historical and ethnographic disciplines. The main research sources are publications dealing with mythologies and folklore patterns of Turko-Mongols that articulate certain ideas of nomads about the Pleiades star cluster. Results. The pastoral ‘Lunar-Pleiadian’ calendar based on the astronomical phenomenon of Moon- Pleiades conjunctions is most relevant across habitats of Turko-Mongols. The latter’s traditional ideas inherent to folk knowledge and myths tend to associate the appearance of the Pleiades in the sky — with the approach of the cold season. However, the myths happen to contain opposing views regarding climatic conditions when the Pleiades were yet on earth: some say those days witnessed extreme cold emitted by the Pleiades; others, on the contrary, narrate about eternal summer and heat. So, after the Pleiades were expelled to heaven a summer appeared on earth (in version one) or the eternal summer was disrupted by winter months (in version two). While the appearance of the Pleiades in the sky brought the long-awaited cool air and rains in the southern latitudes, in the northern ones their image tends to be depicted as ‘master of cold’ and the patron of hunting. Conclusions. Mythological plots about the Pleiades in folk lore and knowledge of Turko-Mongols contain several unique versions of climate change, including motifs of how a star was stolen, how a spare star (stars) was destructed by animals, a shaman or an archer. The myths from northern cold latitudes contain a character responsible for the spread of cold — cow antetyped by the constellation Taurus well known in southern areas.