The Late Neolithic of Trans-Urals: Poludenka issues

The paper examines the Poludenka discourse in the context of historiography and modern research practices. It analyzes changes in attributive characteristics and essential interpretation of Poludenka ceramics (culture, traditions) and the associated empirical and theoretical difficulties. It is noted that the problem of typological criteria is associated with the periodization paradigm – the use of three- or two-stage periodization, which includes or excludes a transitional stage in the material culture of the Trans-Urals Neolithic between the early and late stages of development. The issue of the genesis of the Poludenka tradition and foreign cultural influence, as well as its local isolation on the southern periphery of culture, is also considered. It is assumed that the ornamental originality of the Poludenka pottery in the forest-steppe Pre-Tobol Region is associated with the interaction of the Trans-Urals population at the end of the Early Neolithic with the bearers of the Makhanjar tradition; emphasizes the participation of the Koshkino component in the Poludenka tradition creation at the previous stage. As a solution, it is proposed to return to the notion of a transitional stage between the Early and Late Neolithic, probably at the interval that coincides with the period of coexistence of all traditions, using the established term – «Kozlovo-Poludenka»; the author also notes the perspective of material complexes analysis taking into account the geographical factor.