Review: Since 2012, scientists have been actively studying the monuments located on high hypsometric levels on the territory of the Ust-Menza archaeological complex. These studies have allowed the examination of the multi-layered monuments within a unique stratigraphic context. The subject of this article is the multidisciplinary geoarchaeological studies conducted on the basis of the location of Ust-Menza-15 (Kedrovaya) in Western Transbaikal. As the research object, the authors analyze the possibilities of the geoarchaeological approach for the reconstruction of cultural and natural-climate processes in a wide chronological range. The aim of this article is to form an integrated view of the nature of the archaeological objects located on the high river terraces of the Baikal region. The authors by "high terraces" intend Middle Pleistocene elevations from 20 meters onwards. The foundations for the study of high elevations were laid back in the 1980s, but at that time they were not given sufficient attention. In the framework of the latest research, sediment drilling was carried out to a depth of 8 m. and a comprehensive soil analysis was undertaken. Additionally, T. E. Yurieva, a research associate at the Museum of Geology of Central Siberia, conducted an analysis of the petrographic composition of the raw material base and of the stone artifacts from the culture-containing layer 1. The scientific novelty of this work is the presentation of the results of the latest research conducted on the monuments associated with high floodplain terraces of the Ust-Menza archaeological complex. The authors propose a division of the complex into three subdistricts based on the particular differences in the organization of monuments and the characteristics of their location. A detailed analysis of the stratigraphic context and the stone inventory will expand the possibilities of studying multi-layered monuments at high hypsometric levels of river terraces.

Keywords: stratigraphy, periodization, stone industries, geoarcheology, Upper Paleolithic, sub-district, Ust-Menza, Western Transbaikal, river terraces, petrography

Review: The subject of this research is the entirety of the religious communities and groups operating in the USSR throughout the entire period of this government's existence. The research object is the "territorial groups", seen as the basis of the Protestant associations in the Kemerovo region in the period of the 1920s - 1960s. In order to identify the reasons for the lasting existence of Protestant religious associations in the context of the repressive policies of the government, the author proposes an analysis of the associations' internal structures, identifying the "territorial groups" that form the basis of these communities. In addition to general scientific methods, the author applied the historical-comparative method, elements of system analysis and the statistical method of correlation analysis. In the concluding paragraphs, the author notes the complex structure of the religious associations, which included "territorial groups", that formed on the streets or districts where the believers lived. As a result of this research, it was possible to uncover the ethnic specifics of the believers' settlement systems. For the Russian groups, it was common to have a dispersed settlement, while for the German groups it was hearthstone-centered. The complex internal structure of legal and illegal religious associations predetermined their considerable stability under the external pressure from security officials and civil authorities during a period of tightening domestic religious policies.

Keywords: Mennonites, Lutherans, Seventh-day Adventists, Christians of Evangelical faith, Evangelical Christians-Baptists, Protestants, Religious association, Territorial groups, Religious, State religious policy

Review: The article is focused on the Germans (the so-called converts), who converted to Islam, being born and living on the territory of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany. The aim of this study is to identify the factors behind the religious conversion. The author's main task was to determine what reasons influenced the adoption of Islam among Germans. The author analyzes the connection between the decision to adopt Islam and the place of residence of newly converted Muslims, the influence of political attitudes within German society towards immigrant Muslims, family circumstances and cultural preferences. The article is written based on the author's field material. The author applied the methods of field ethnographic observation, non-formalized interviewing, as well as an analysis of the literature on this topic. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the fact that this is the first study in Russian historiography on the reasons for the conversion of Germans to Islam, conducted on field material. The author comes to the conclusion that the Germans' decision to adopt Islam was not significantly influenced by political and territorial factors. Neither does distance from the Muslim world hinder conversion. Negative attitudes towards Muslims also do not play a significant role in making a conscious choice regarding the transition to the religion. The main reasons for adopting Islam were personal and family.

Keywords: Germany, religious organizations, Muslim community, new Muslims, converters, Islam, conversion motifs, religious conversion, Rostock, german Muslims