The article undertakes a paleocarpological analysis of soil samples from excavations on the citadel of a medieval hillfort of Taraz. The investigation allowed to describe composition of the used plants during VII–XIX cc. Subject to investigation being possibilities of field crop farming and gardening, as well as a role of local plant resources in the economy.

The article presents results on a microbiomorphic analysis of the occupation layer of Ajtman settlement (Ustyrt Plateau). Using a different-type archaeological material, it was shown that the development of the occupation layer was accompanied by a human active supply of new material of aquatic genesis. Compositionally, the microbiomorphic complex being broken down into two groups of objects differing in destination, i.e. hearths and storage recesses. Besides, the presence of hydrophilic biomorphs in the spectres allowed to expect the availability of a desalinated water source near the settlement during its functioning.