Skorobogatov A.M., Smolyaninov R.V.

Key words: Chalcolithic, Sredny Stog culture, Upper and Middle Don, archaeological site.
Since its discovery, Sredny Stog culture has been the focus of attention of the scientists who research the Chalcolithic of the steppe and forest-steppe in the Dnieper-Don-Volga interfluve area. It is connected with the main issues of Chalcolithic archaeology in the East European steppe and forest-steppe zones: the development of production economy, domestication of the horse and its use for riding, the genesis of the Yamna cultural and historical community, changes in the social structure of ancient society, etc. Unfortunately, most of the sources which are connected with Sredny Stog culture in the basin of the Upper and Middle Don have not been widely available to archaeologists. Due to this circumstance, the basin of the Upper and Middle Don is interpreted, primarily by Ukrainian scientists, as a fringe territory where no significant Sredny Stog sites can be found. The present article is an attempt to rectify the situation. The authors list and give a brief description of all the currently known sites in the Upper and Middle Don which contain Sredny Stog culture material.