To Russia with love

Focaal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (70) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Demant Frederiksen

Among young unemployed or underemployed men in the port city of Batumi, the regional center of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in Georgia, the Black Sea is a social and imaginary horizon that signifies both geographical mobility and confinement. Since Georgia gained independence, Batumi went from being a Soviet borderland to being an opening to the West. However, due to visa regulations, “the West”—and the opportunities associated with it—has long been limited to the other Black Sea countries of Turkey and Ukraine. Following the August 2008 war, Russia, although being a much more desirable destination, became out of reach for the majority of these men. Through the notions of social and geographical horizons, this article argues that the young men, despite their sense of confinement, manage to forge alternative connections to Russia via Internet sites, where the online dating of Russian women was used as a means to gain access to Russia via marriage.

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
I.A. Belousov ◽  
A.G. Koval

A new species of the genus Cimmerites Jeannel, 1928, C. maximovitchi sp. nov., is described from the Akhunskaya Cave and Labirintovaya Cave, both located in the Akhun Karst Massif on the Black Sea Coast of the West Caucasus (Krasnodar Territory, Russia). The new species is rather isolated within the genus Cimmerites and occupies an intermediate position between species related to C. kryzhanovskii Belousov, 1998 and species close to C. vagabundus Belousov, 1998. Though both C. maximovitchi sp. nov. and C. kryzhanovskii are still known only from caves, these species are quite similar in their life form to other members of the genus which are all true endogean species.


Author(s):  
I. N. Timukhin ◽  
B. S. Tuniyev

For the first time the level of relics of the high-mountain flora of the northwestern edge of the highlands of the Caucasus has been established. The Fisht-Oshten Massif and the Black Sea Chain have a uniquely high level of relics - 51.0% (617 species), with a predominance of Tertiary-relic species - Rt - 41.2% (498 species). The second largest representation is a group of Holocene relics - Rx - 7.3% (88 species), the minimum represented Pleistocene relics - Rg - 2.5% (31 species). The relic level of alpine species is one of the highest in the Caucasus and is 52.8% (338 species). Alpine species also have predominance of Pliocene relics - 46.7% (299 species), the number of glacial relics is 2.5% (16 species), the share of xerothermic relics - 3.6% (23 species). In the preservation of relic species revealed general trends, depending on the remoteness of local flora from the main diaspora on the Fisht-Oshten Massif and the modern area of the meadow belt. These trends persist in Tertiary relics, while other patterns are observed for glacial and Holocene relics. The number of glacial relics fades to the west, most clearly it can be seen in alpine species. The number of Holocene relics as much as possible on the edge areas (Fisht-Oshten Massif and Mt. Semashkho) and minimally on the central peaks of the Black Sea Chain, where the Holocene expansion of xerophyte plants was insignificant.


Author(s):  
Н.Ф. Федосеев ◽  
Л.Ю. Пономарев

Necropolis Kyz-Aul is located on the Black Sea coast, 1 km to the south-east of the village. Yakovenkovo. In 1930, 1979–1983, 1985, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2005–2006, 2015–2017, he was investigated by Yu. Martti, O. Chevelev, N. Sudarev and N. Fedoseev. Separate burials date back to the II–I BC, the burial of the I–III AD the most recent burials, apparently, were committed in the IV–V AD. In the VI – third quarter of the VII century AD on the territory of the already abandoned necropolis, a small settlement was located. Its cultural stratum is traced on all sites that have been followed in the last decade. As living quarters, the looted crypts of the 1st–3rd centuries AD were adapted, consisting of one or two funerary cells and built of massive blocks of limestone (№ 6, 7, 9, 10). With exception of the crypts of the poorly preserved pit of the semidugout (?) other residential and household buildings on the necropolis could not be fixed. One child burial also belongs to the same period. The most well-preserved living room in the crypt number 6. In one of its funerary cells housed five household pits and heating devices, including a fireplace, reminiscent of the design of the fireplace. In the other crypts, the interior details of the “underground” dwellings have not been preserved. In the “Khazar” time burial chamber crypts were adapted for the maintenance of small cattle. The time of the early Byzantine settlement on the necropolis dates numerous finds of amphorae. The upper date was determined thanks to the coin of 674 Constantine IV Pogonat. In addition, a ring with the image of an archangel was found, an analogy of which is known in the burial complexes of the 7th century. Unfortunately, the area and location of the necropolis of this settlement is not yet established. Cannot be reconstructed and its layout. It is difficult to reconstruct the interior of the “underground” dwellings themselves, since the crypts were reused in the “Khazar” period. In addition, no other settlements of this time were found on the ancient necropolises of the Kerch Peninsula


2020 ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Duane W. Roller

Mithridates VI the Great began his solidified rule by expanding his kingdom, seemingly with the goal of encircling the Black Sea. He gained possession of the ancient territory of Colchis and then strengthened his predecessors’ control of the Bosporos, on the north side of the sea. He also established a presence on the west side of the sea. The locals on the north side of the sea welcomed the king because they were constantly subject to barbarian pressures. There were also economic benefits to the Pontic kingdom in acquisition of the new territories. Mithridates also established a Pontic presence south and west of his kingdom, in Paphlagonia and Galatia. Yet such aggressive actions by the king were noticed by the Romans, even though the northern Black Sea was not in any region of their direct interest.


2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Uysal ◽  
A. Yüksek ◽  
E. Okuş ◽  
N. Yilmaz

Spatial and temporal distribution of benthic communities around the Strait of Istanbul (Bosphorus) and the effect of lower layer discharge on these communities have been evaluated during studies between FebruaryÐDecember 1999. Mytilus galloprovincialis was the dominant species with fasies at the Black Sea station that is not affected by the strait lower layer current system. On the other hand, another Black Sea station, influenced by the strait lower layer currents, has a similar biota to the strait stations. Species richness and diversity is highest in the strait than other areas. The dominant species is Maera grossimana. However, the station located at the Black Sea exit of the strait has a different biota, and various groups/species appeared to be dominant. Melinna palmata is the dominant species at the Sea of Marmara during the study period. Low dissolved oxygen values of lower layer and soft substratum of sediment resulted in wide distribution of Melinna palmata, adapted to these conditions. The closer stations to the strait in the Sea of Marmara have higher diversity as a result of hydrodynamic processes. On the other hand, coastal stations with low currents and inputs have lower index values, showing the negative effect of discharges and pollution.


1960 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 181-190
Author(s):  
K. H. Waters

In his article entitled ‘Solon and the Megarian Question’ (JHSlxxvii) Mr A. French has given a valuable exposition of Solon's economic reforms in their relation to the strategic necessities of Athenian overseas trade. This, however, leads him to an assessment of the statesman's policy which it is rather difficult to accept, conflicting as it does both with tradition and the general probabilities of the situation. Further, it is partly based on an interpretation of a passage in Plutarch which is, I think, mistaken and indeed impossible, although it has been adopted by most authorities. Mr French's argument may be summarised as follows:(1) In the pre-Solonian era the sea route to South Attica and Phaleron, still more to Mounychia, was dominated by a hostile Megara owing to her control of Salamis; hence only the ports of East Attica were available for overseas trade in bulk cargoes. Early imports of grain and timber would have been from Thessaly, for which these ports were particularly convenient.(2) However, increasing population and the decline in soil fertility made it desirable to import wheat in large quantities from the Black Sea; this would necessitate delivery at a port nearer the city and therefore control of Salamis to prevent Megarian interference on top of the other considerable hazards of the Black Sea voyage. It would also necessitate a high price which, though in accordance with the internal agricultural conditions, would diminish the advantages of the additional external supplies to the impoverished population of Attica. The Athenian government must either embark on a naval programme, and fight Megara for Salamis, or use less grain, which meant limiting the population.


Parasitology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. KOSTADINOVA ◽  
R. S. MAVRODIEVA

Patterns of parasite site selection, variation in infection parameters and interspecific associations are examined in the light of new field data on larval microphallids in Gammarus insensibilis from a Black Sea lagoon. These patterns are discussed in relation to the predictions for the manipulative effect of Microphallus papillorobustus and its relationships with the other microphallid species based on studies on the French Mediterranean coast. Four species were recovered: Maritrema subdolum, Microphallus hoffmanni, M. papillorobustus and Levinseniella propinqua. The latter two were located in both corporal and cephalic segments, but the selection of brain appeared stronger for L. propinqua. M. subdolum was the first colonizer of amphipod population recruits, and unequivocally the dominant species in the lagoon. There was a significant positive relationship between the parasite load of all 4 species. Concurrent infections were exceedingly frequent, and no departures from random association were detected. We found no evidence that the cerebral metacercariae of M. papillorobustus consistently predict the parasite load of any of the other species in the system and identify sources for heterogeneity that may account for the differences between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean system: habitat heterogeneity, bird diversity and host-parasite systems used to infer relationships between microphallids.


2013 ◽  
Vol 330 ◽  
pp. 805-810
Author(s):  
Dragos R. Rugescu

The Romanian NERVA space project, aimed at building and using a small rocket launcher for injecting nanosatellites into a LEO, requires the establishment of a secure launching area. The first candidate is on the western coast of the Black Sea and the candidate launching and flight corridor is the west-east vector above the sea. A series of ecological and safety challenges appear due to the high population density of the regions close to the sea-shores of the Black Sea; they must be catalogued and securely solved, before any space activity above the Black Sea begins. The main challenges of such an endeavor are analyzed henceforth and several solutions that fall within the scope of a recent research activity of the NERVA team are proposed.


Author(s):  
Arda Özkan

The Black Sea is a significant basin where transboundary environmental damage activities take place. The environmental problems in the Black Sea are not only on the agenda of six Black Sea littorals, but also the states in the wider Black Sea basin. The large scales of strategic, economical and political problems in the region require entrepreneurship and co operations of the other states on the same platform. This study has two main environmental security dimensions: One of them is identifying the damages and opponents; the other one is the security problem in transboundary environment and the responsibilities of the Black Sea states. In this regard, this study aims to initiate a conversation in precautions against transboundary environmental damages considering the current security risks.


Author(s):  
DENIS COPILAȘ-CIOCIANU ◽  
GAVRIL MARIUS BERCHI ◽  
LEVAN MUMLADZE

We present findings from the first survey of shallow-water amphipods conducted along the Black Sea coast in Georgia. Eight species from five families have been identified, all but one being new for the Georgian fauna. Although most are usual inhabitants of the Black and Mediterranean seas, we report the first record of the invader Melita nitida in this region. This North American species was previously known in Europe only from the Atlantic and Baltic coasts. Its finding in the Black Sea implies either jump dispersal, or a more widespread, but cryptic distribution. Given that the total number of species reported in Georgia is lower than in the other countries neighbouring the Black Sea, we anticipate the discovery of new taxa in future surveys. Our study highlights the importance of faunistic exploration in previously overlooked regions for detecting potentially cryptic invasions and corroborating biogeographical patterns.


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