Unknown Russia: Forgotten Landscapes of Small Peoples

This study explores the sacred landscapes of indigenous small-numbered peoples of Russia as a complex biocultural resource possessing not only historical-cultural but also ecological value. It distinguishes three interconnected concepts: anthropogenic, cultural, and sacred landscape. Through case studies of the Nenets tundra, Tofalar taiga, and Vodlozero region, the article analyzes the structure and functions of sacred landscapes, identifies contemporary threats (industrialization, climate change, cultural assimilation), and evaluates innovative approaches to their preservation. The working hypothesis is that sacred landscapes represent not an archaic relic but a highly developed and sustainable biocultural infrastructure, whose loss is not only a cultural but also an ecological catastrophe. The study integrates methods from ethnoecology, phenomenology, climatology, digital humanities, and landscape planning.