As a result of the study carried out on the updated source base, the relationship between the landscape environment and the corresponding economic and cultural types for individual historical periods, as well as the state of the main areas of economic activity, was analyzed. The main focus is on agriculture, animal husbandry, mining and metal processing. Conclusions were drawn regarding the increasing leading role of animal husbandry, and especially horse breeding, in the structure of the reproducing economy of the pre-Scythian and Scythian periods. The level of development of agriculture does not confirm the theory of supplying marketable bread to the ancient cities of the Black Sea region.