Study of the history of nature in the past are in the main directions of modern world scientific trends. In the sector of paleogeography of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine traditionally develop fundamental and applied aspects related to the study of late Cenozoic sediments. The subject of the works is related to the research of the history and stages of development of nature and its components on the territory of Ukraine in the Pliocene, Pleistocene and Holocene, as well as the reproduction of natural living conditions of ancient man. The publication focuses on the main directions and scientific results, achieved by the scientists of the Sector Paleogeography of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in recent years. In particular, the issue of the impact of global Pleistocene events on the state and evolution of the main components of nature of the territory of Ukraine has been studied; paleogeographic preconditions that contributed to the formation of certain types of sedimentary Cenozoic minerals in Ukraine are outlined; the main natural factors of the paleogeographic environment that influenced changes in human living conditions in Ukraine in the Pleistocene and Holocene are considered; changes in Pleistocene and Holocene soils in key areas of modern Ukraine have been reconstructed. Promising areas of investigation have been identified and an assessment of the possible applied use of the results of paleogeographic research has been made. Thus, the results of paleogeographic research, as well as professional services of paleogeographers can be used: to assess current climate change based on paleogeographic data; for geological additional research and rational use of the subsoil of Ukraine; to develop popular scientific and educational information on the paleogeographical features of the development of nature reserves and geological sites with tourist and recreational potential; to assess the current state and dynamics of spatio-temporal changes in environmental conditions based on paleogeographic analysis of the content of various substances in soils; during geoarchaeological, paleontological, soil research, etc. Key words: paleogeographical research; climate changes; minerals formation; stratigraphy; human living conditions.

Розкоп «оРIєнт» некРополя ольвIї На некрополі Ольвії десять років досліджується широкою площею розкоп «Орієнт». Ця територія характеризується деякими рисами, що роблять її особливо цікавою для дослідників поховальних обрядів: вона використовувалася протягом майже усього періоду існування античної Ольвії виключно для відправлення поховальнопомінальних та пов'язаних з ними обрядів. Жодних ознак будь-якої господарської діяльності тут немає. При цьому тут зафіксовано достатньо високу щільність різночасових об'єктів ритуального призначення. Тому виникла необхідність стислого огляду результатів десятирічної роботи. К л ю ч о в і с л о в а: некрополь, поховання, поховальнопоминальні ритуали, трупоспалення, підбій, склеп.

М.В. Фомiн, А.В. Iвченко * сюжет «загробної трапези» в античних поховальних пам'ятках пiвнiчного причорномор'я За даними античних некрополів Північного Причорномор'я аналізується втілення давньогрецьких уявлень про посмертну долю (сюжет «загробної трапези») у деяких категоріях археологічного матеріалу. Розглянуто кам'яні надгробки та підземні склепи. К л ю ч о в і с л о в а: Північне Причорномор'я, перші ст. н. е., посмертна доля, сюжет «загробної трапези», надгробок, камера склепу.

Research on the “Orient” excavation site of the Olbian necropolis has been conducting for eleven years. During this time, 100 coins were found here in 47 different contexts, and 97 of them were clearly identified. The relatively small number of numismatic finds and archaeological contexts allowed a detailed analysis of the relationship between them. The following conclusions were obtained. On this territory, coins were used in funeral and memorial rites throughout the entire existence of the necropolis here (the middle of the 6th century BC — the end of the 2nd century AD). The composition of the coins by the dates of issue basically corresponds to the main stages of the Olbian coinage. An earlier type of coin (casted dolphin-shaped) and a later type (round minted) are fixated in approximately the same number in different layers of the excavation. The main layers of the excavation were formed mainly in a natural way. This situation makes it possible to assume a fairly active usage of the coin precisely in memorial rites. Coins in situ have been found in only four types of burial structures. The time of construction of the burial objects in which the coins were found in situ is clearly divided into two periods: the middle of the 5th — beginning of the 3rd centuries BC and the second half of the 1st—2nd centuries AD. In each period, coins were placed in the grave regardless of the date of burial, the type of burial structure, age and gender of the deceased. 4. The location of the coins within the boundaries of the burial object is not unified. Often found, but not predominantly, their position in the hand (it does not matter, right or left). All other cases are individual. In funeral and memorial rites, it was allowed using a coin that was no longer in active circulation. Some coins, close in date of issue to the date of burial, even during the life of the deceased served him as «amulets».

At the excavation site in Olbia in 2010—2019 a new sector was investigated in wide areas, which was called the «Orient» after the name of the nearest benchmark. The specific features of this site were established, which was used for burials from the middle of the VI c. BC before the beginning of the III c. AD. In this regard, the generalization of the results obtained has become relevant, as well as the introduction of finds from the Roman period into the scientific circulation. In total, 1064 m2 were uncovered during the research. The average depth was 1,0—1,1 m from the modern surface. The stratigraphy of the excavation is simple: a layer of turf and humus up to 0,2 m thick lies on top, below there is a layer of light (dark yellow) sandy loam with various impurities, and under it is a layer of red-colored pre-continental loam with separate inclusions of «white-eye». In this area, 70 burials of various types of different time periods were discovered, as well as 62 other objects associated with the funeral and memorial tradition. 24 burials and ten other objects are dated by the Roman period. Eight types of burial structures have been identified. Based on this, the following conclusions were identified. In the Roman period, rare types of burial structures appeared in the area under study, in number greater than in the rest of the necropolis. There is a lack of uniformity in the layout and direction of burials. The memorial sites are characterized by the complete absence of gravestones known at Olbian necropolis of the Roman period.