diff --git a/mods/CORE/mcl_mapgen/init.lua b/mods/CORE/mcl_mapgen/init.lua
index 8859c0b0a4..5be3ac488b 100644
--- a/mods/CORE/mcl_mapgen/init.lua
+++ b/mods/CORE/mcl_mapgen/init.lua
@@ -37,11 +37,12 @@ minetest_log("action", "[mcl_mapgen] World edges are: mcl_mapgen.EDGE_MIN = " ..
 
 
 local lvm_block_queue, lvm_chunk_queue, node_block_queue, node_chunk_queue = {}, {}, {}, {} -- Generators' queues
-local lvm, block, lvm_block, lvm_chunk, param2, nodes_block, nodes_chunk = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- Requirements: 0 means none; greater than 0 means 'required'
+local lvm, block, lvm_block, lvm_chunk, param2, nodes_block, nodes_chunk, safe_functions = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- Requirements: 0 means none; greater than 0 means 'required'
 local lvm_buffer, lvm_param2_buffer = {}, {} -- Static buffer pointers
 local BS, CS = mcl_mapgen.BS, mcl_mapgen.CS -- Mapblock size (in nodes), Mapchunk size (in blocks)
 local LAST_BLOCK, LAST_NODE = CS - 1, BS - 1 -- First mapblock in chunk (node in mapblock) has number 0, last has THIS number. It's for runtime optimization
 local offset = mcl_mapgen.OFFSET -- Central mapchunk offset (in blocks)
+local CS_NODES = mcl_mapgen.CS_NODES -- 80
 
 local CS_3D = CS * CS * CS
 
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ local DEFAULT_PRIORITY	= 5000
 
 function mcl_mapgen.register_chunk_generator(callback_function, priority)
 	nodes_chunk = nodes_chunk + 1
+	safe_functions = safe_functions + 1
 	node_chunk_queue[nodes_chunk] = {i = priority or DEFAULT_PRIORITY, f = callback_function}
 	table.sort(node_chunk_queue, function(a, b) return (a.i <= b.i) end)
 end
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ end
 function mcl_mapgen.register_block_generator(callback_function, priority)
 	block = block + 1
 	nodes_block = nodes_block + 1
+	safe_functions = safe_functions + 1
 	node_block_queue[nodes_block] = {i = priority or DEFAULT_PRIORITY, f = callback_function}
 	table.sort(node_block_queue, function(a, b) return (a.i <= b.i) end)
 end
@@ -87,7 +90,7 @@ local current_chunks = {}
 minetest.register_on_generated(function(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 	local minp, maxp, blockseed = minp, maxp, blockseed
 	local vm, emin, emax = minetest.get_mapgen_object("voxelmanip")
-	minetest_log("warning", "[mcl_mapgen] New_chunk=" .. minetest_pos_to_string(minp) .. "..." .. minetest_pos_to_string(maxp) .. ", shall=" .. minetest_pos_to_string(emin) .. "..." .. minetest_pos_to_string(emax) .. ", blockseed=" .. tostring(blockseed))
+	minetest_log("warning", "[mcl_mapgen] New_chunk=" .. minetest_pos_to_string(minp) .. "..." .. minetest_pos_to_string(maxp) .. ", shell=" .. minetest_pos_to_string(emin) .. "..." .. minetest_pos_to_string(emax) .. ", blockseed=" .. tostring(blockseed))
 
 	if lvm > 0 then
 		vm_context = {lvm_param2_buffer = lvm_param2_buffer, vm = vm, emin = emin, emax = emax, minp = minp, maxp = maxp, blockseed = blockseed}
@@ -140,17 +143,15 @@ minetest.register_on_generated(function(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 					if current_mapgen_block_writes == total_mapgen_block_writes then
 						-- this block shouldn't be overwritten anymore, no need to keep it in memory
 						blocks[bx][by][bz] = nil
+						if not chunks[cx] then chunks[cx] = {} end
+						if not chunks[cx][cy] then chunks[cx][cy] = {} end
 						if not chunks[cx][cy][cz] then
-							if not chunks[cx] then chunks[cx] = {} end
-							if not chunks[cx][cy] then chunks[cx][cy] = {} end
 							if not chunks[cx][cy][cz] then chunks[cx][cy][cz] = {counter = 1} end
 						else
 							chunks[cx][cy][cz].counter = chunks[cx][cy][cz].counter + 1
 							if chunks[cx][cy][cz].counter >= CS_3D then
+								current_chunks[#current_chunks+1] = { x = cx, y = cy, z = cz, s = chunks[cx][cy][cz].seed }
 								-- this chunk shouldn't be overwritten anymore, no need to keep it in memory
-								local chunkseed = chunks[cx][cy][cz].seed
-								process_generated_chunk(cx, cy, cz, chunkseed)
-
 								chunks[cx][cy][cz] = nil
 								if next(chunks[cx][cy]) == nil then chunks[cx][cy] = nil end
 								if next(chunks[cx]) == nil then chunks[cx] = nil end
@@ -196,15 +197,23 @@ minetest.register_on_generated(function(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 		vm:update_liquids()
 	end
 
-	for _, v in pairs(node_chunk_queue) do
-		v.f(minp, maxp, blockseed)
+	for i, b in pairs(current_chunks) do
+		local cx, cy, cz, seed = b.x, b.y, b.z, b.s
+		local bx, by, bz = cx * CS + offset, cy * CS + offset, cz * CS + offset
+		local x, y, z = bx * BS, by * BS, bz * BS
+		local minp = {x = x, y = y, z = z}
+		local maxp = {x = x + CS_NODES - 1, y = y + CS_NODES - 1, z = z + CS_NODES - 1}
+		for _, v in pairs(node_chunk_queue) do
+			v.f(minp, maxp, seed)
+		end
+		current_chunks[i] = nil
 	end
 
 	for i, b in pairs(current_blocks) do
 		for _, v in pairs(node_block_queue) do
 			v.f(b.minp, b.maxp, b.seed)
 		end
-		current_blocks[id] = nil
+		current_blocks[i] = nil
 	end
 end)
 
diff --git a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_dungeons/init.lua b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_dungeons/init.lua
index d2458939e3..a24e4dc9d5 100644
--- a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_dungeons/init.lua
+++ b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_dungeons/init.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local swap_node        = minetest.swap_node
 local set_node         = minetest.set_node
 local dir_to_facedir   = minetest.dir_to_facedir
 local get_meta         = minetest.get_meta
-local emerge_area      = minetest.emerge_area
+-- local emerge_area      = minetest.emerge_area
 
 --vector
 local vector_add       = vector.add
@@ -61,12 +61,14 @@ local surround_vectors = {
 	{ x=0, y=0, z=1 },
 }
 
-local function ecb_spawn_dungeon(blockpos, action, calls_remaining, param)
-	if calls_remaining >= 1 then return end
+--local function ecb_spawn_dungeon(blockpos, action, calls_remaining, param)
+--	if calls_remaining >= 1 then return end
+--	local p1, _, dim, pr = param.p1, param.p2, param.dim, param.pr
+--	local check = not (param.dontcheck or false)
+local function spawn_dungeon(p1, p2, dim, pr, dontcheck)
 
-	local p1, _, dim, pr = param.p1, param.p2, param.dim, param.pr
 	local x, y, z = p1.x, p1.y, p1.z
-	local check = not (param.dontcheck or false)
+	local check = not (dontcheck or false)
 
 	-- Check floor and ceiling: Must be *completely* solid
 	local y_floor = y
@@ -401,8 +403,9 @@ local function dungeons_nodes(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 		local z = pr:next(minp.z, maxp.z-dim.z-1)
 		local p1 = {x=x,y=y,z=z}
 		local p2 = {x = x+dim.x+1, y = y+dim.y+1, z = z+dim.z+1}
-		minetest.log("verbose","[mcl_dungeons] size=" ..minetest.pos_to_string(dim) .. ", emerge from "..minetest.pos_to_string(p1) .. " to " .. minetest.pos_to_string(p2))
-		emerge_area(p1, p2, ecb_spawn_dungeon, {p1=p1, p2=p2, dim=dim, pr=pr})
+		-- minetest.log("verbose","[mcl_dungeons] size=" ..minetest.pos_to_string(dim) .. ", emerge from "..minetest.pos_to_string(p1) .. " to " .. minetest.pos_to_string(p2))
+		-- emerge_area(p1, p2, ecb_spawn_dungeon, {p1=p1, p2=p2, dim=dim, pr=pr})
+		spawn_dungeon(p1, p2, dim, pr)
 	end
 end
 
@@ -410,8 +413,9 @@ function mcl_dungeons.spawn_dungeon(p1, _, pr)
 	if not p1 or not pr or not p1.x or not p1.y or not p1.z then return end
 	local dim = dungeonsizes[pr:next(1, #dungeonsizes)]
 	local p2 = {x = p1.x+dim.x+1, y = p1.y+dim.y+1, z = p1.z+dim.z+1}
-	minetest.log("verbose","[mcl_dungeons] size=" ..minetest.pos_to_string(dim) .. ", emerge from "..minetest.pos_to_string(p1) .. " to " .. minetest.pos_to_string(p2))
-	emerge_area(p1, p2, ecb_spawn_dungeon, {p1=p1, p2=p2, dim=dim, pr=pr, dontcheck=true})
+--	minetest.log("verbose","[mcl_dungeons] size=" ..minetest.pos_to_string(dim) .. ", emerge from "..minetest.pos_to_string(p1) .. " to " .. minetest.pos_to_string(p2))
+--	emerge_area(p1, p2, ecb_spawn_dungeon, {p1=p1, p2=p2, dim=dim, pr=pr, dontcheck=true})
+	spawn_dungeon(p1, p2, dim, pr, true)
 end
 
 mcl_mapgen.register_chunk_generator(dungeons_nodes, 999999)
diff --git a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
index f1b1de906d..2b7109451d 100644
--- a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
+++ b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 settlements = {}
 settlements.modpath = minetest.get_modpath("mcl_villages")
 
+local minetest_get_spawn_level = minetest.get_spawn_level
+
 dofile(settlements.modpath.."/const.lua")
 dofile(settlements.modpath.."/utils.lua")
 dofile(settlements.modpath.."/foundation.lua")
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ end
 -- on map generation, try to build a settlement
 --
 local function build_a_settlement(minp, maxp, blockseed)
+	minetest.log("action","[mcl_villages] Building village at mapchunk " .. minetest.pos_to_string(minp) .. "..." .. minetest.pos_to_string(maxp) .. ", blockseed = " .. tostring(blockseed))
 	local pr = PseudoRandom(blockseed)
 
 	-- fill settlement_info with buildings and their data
@@ -69,28 +72,36 @@ local function build_a_settlement(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 	settlements.place_schematics(settlement_info, pr)
 end
 
-local function ecb_village(blockpos, action, calls_remaining, param)
-	if calls_remaining >= 1 then return end
-	local minp, maxp, blockseed = param.minp, param.maxp, param.blockseed
-	build_a_settlement(minp, maxp, blockseed)
-end
-
 -- Disable natural generation in singlenode.
 local mg_name = minetest.get_mapgen_setting("mg_name")
 if mg_name ~= "singlenode" then
 	mcl_mapgen.register_chunk_generator(function(minp, maxp, blockseed)
+		-- local str1 = (maxp.y >= 0 and blockseed % 77 == 17) and "YES" or "no"
+		-- minetest.log("action","[mcl_villages] " .. str1 .. ": minp=" .. minetest.pos_to_string(minp) .. ", maxp=" .. minetest.pos_to_string(maxp) .. ", blockseed=" .. tostring(blockseed))
 		-- don't build settlement underground
 		if maxp.y < 0 then return end
 		-- randomly try to build settlements
 		if blockseed % 77 ~= 17 then return end
-		-- needed for manual and automated settlement building
+
 		-- don't build settlements on (too) uneven terrain
-		--local heightmap = minetest.get_mapgen_object("heightmap")
-		local height_difference = settlements.evaluate_heightmap()
+
+		-- lame and quick replacement of `heightmap` by kay27 - we maybe need to restore `heightmap` analysis if there will be a way for the engine to avoid cavegen conflicts:
+		--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+		local height_difference, min, max
+		local pr1=PseudoRandom(blockseed)
+		for i=1,pr1:next(5,10) do
+			local x = pr1:next(0, 40) + minp.x + 19
+			local z = pr1:next(0, 40) + minp.z + 19
+			local y = minetest_get_spawn_level(x, z)
+			if y < (min or y+1) then min = y end
+			if y > (max or y-1) then max = y end
+		end
+		height_difference = max - min + 1
+		--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 		if height_difference > max_height_difference then return end
 
-		local param={minp=vector.new(minp), maxp=vector.new(maxp), blockseed=blockseed}
-		minetest.emerge_area(minp, maxp, ecb_village, param)
+		build_a_settlement(minp, maxp, blockseed)
 	end)
 end
 -- manually place villages
diff --git a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/utils.lua b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/utils.lua
index 87473cc80e..1d94ead0ce 100644
--- a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/utils.lua
+++ b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/utils.lua
@@ -207,44 +207,6 @@ function shuffle(tbl, pr)
 	return table
 end
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- evaluate heightmap
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-function settlements.evaluate_heightmap()
-	local heightmap = minetest.get_mapgen_object("heightmap")
-	-- max height and min height, initialize with impossible values for easier first time setting
-	local max_y = -50000
-	local min_y = 50000
-	-- only evaluate the center square of heightmap 40 x 40
-	local square_start = 1621
-	local square_end = 1661
-	for j = 1 , 40, 1 do
-		for i = square_start, square_end, 1 do
-			-- skip buggy heightmaps, return high value
-			if heightmap[i] == -31000 or heightmap[i] == 31000 then
-				return max_height_difference + 1
-			end
-			if heightmap[i] < min_y then
-				min_y = heightmap[i]
-			end
-			if heightmap[i] > max_y then
-				max_y = heightmap[i]
-			end
-		end
-		-- set next line
-		square_start = square_start + 80
-		square_end = square_end + 80
-	end
-	-- return the difference between highest and lowest pos in chunk
-	local height_diff = max_y - min_y
-	-- filter buggy heightmaps
-	if height_diff <= 1 then
-		return max_height_difference + 1
-	end
-	-- debug info
-	settlements.debug("heightdiff ".. height_diff)
-	return height_diff
-end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -- Set array to list
 -- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/656199/search-for-an-item-in-a-lua-list
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------