“Cold Resources” in Economy of Yakutia Rural Communities: Development of Scientific Basis for Usage in 1940-1960-ies

Abstract

The article presents a pioneering attempt in historiography to study the historical evolution of the use in the life support system of rural communities of the advantages provided by a long period of natural low temperatures in Yakutia. The history of the study of practices and scientists’ assessment of the potential use of these “winter preferences” is analyzed. On the basis of attraction of archival material complex, including firstly introduced into scientific circulation, the research activity is considered which concerned possibilities of long storage of food in the conditions of permafrost, operation of automobile winter roads for ensuring necessary supply and increase of profitability of economic entities of the region accompanied also by development of practical decisions on optimization and further development of these directions. It is noted that in the selected chronological period, this activity was organized systematically and received maximum development. It is shown that this fact was determined by the socio-economic processes that took place in Yakutia - the intensification of its transport and industrial development, the emergence of relatively large settlements and economic entities in rural areas. The data presented in the article, according to the author, indicate a significant positive role of cold winters in the economic practices of rural communities of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).