Rakushechny Yar site is a floodplain multi-layer archaeological site encompassing strata dated to Early Neolithic – Bronze Age. It is characterized by complex stratigraphy, presence of different deposits, buried soils and cultural layers. Fluvial deposits interlay different settlement strata, which provide an opportunity to elaborate precise chronological scheme and study the successive changes in hydrological regime, climate and vegetation changes along with human occupation phases. A new series of samples, from cultural layers of new excavated areas dated to an interval spanning no more than a few decades, centered around 5600 cal. BC.

This abstract presents the first results of Kamenniy Log I, the Late Bronze Age settlement at Minusinsk Hollow, radiocarbon dating. This investigation was based on samples from the different dwellings. The analysis, which had been made at the laboratories of the Oxford University, confirmed earlier assumptions about the sustainable chronology of this key site (XIV–X BC).

Dr. Ganna Zaitseva participated a lot in researches conducted within the North-Western archaeological expedition of the State Hermitage Museum and elaborating the chronological timeframes for Neolithic in this region. Multidisci- plinary investigations of the last five years changed a lot historical schemes and environmental reconstructions made for Serteya II site, located in Smolensk region. The Serteya II site is a multilayer complex used by hunter–fisher–gath- erer communities in the 9th-8th mill. BC, and from the end of the 7th till the end of the 3rd mill. BC. Archaeological structures and horizons were developed in the palaeolake shore zone within changing water regimes and changes in the environmental conditions. Based on the most convergent dendrochronological sequences, two floating chronolo- gies were compiled, for pine wood 53 years old and larch wood 54 years old. Finally five OSL dates have been obtained, but the acquired age of geological ones significantly exceeded expectations. Three dates indicate the Neolithic period (contrary to expected XVII century), and a chronological inversion of OSL dates can be seen. Surprisingly spectrom- etry measurements of gytia sediments, despite of significant amount of organic matter allow as to calculate the dose rate and then to date one piece of Neolithic pottery. The obtained age perfectly corresponded to present state of knowledge.