Settling of the middle Kura basin in the Bronze Age (ethnic and archaeological research based on the archaeological sites of the Ganja-Gazakh region of Azerbaijan

Abstract

The study of the issue of settling of the Middle Kura basin (Ganja-Gazakh region) during the Bronze Age allows us to partially reconstruct the ancient demography of the region, as well as the economic and social structure of Bronze Age society. At all three stages of the Bronze Age, the social life, connected with natural and geographical conditions, developed in a single key; the choice of settlement sites by the population, settling the basin, under the influence of social and economic factors gave a powerful incentive to the process of settlement of upland, foothill and plain areas. The social life of the middle Kura River basin, possessing favorable natural and geographical conditions during the Bronze Age, is characterized by high development. The results of the conducted excavations allow us to say that in the noted period the majority of sites of the middle Kura River basin were densely populated. The settlements with larger plots are exemplary indicators of this. Settlements of this type have many peculiar characteristic features. The ongoing archaeological excavations allow us to follow gradually the level of development of everyday life and economy, religious and ideological views of the ancient population, as well as social and economic, ideological changes taking place in the life of the population of the Bronze Age period. From the Middle Bronze Age onward, the mastering of high mountain areas began, and settlements emerged. During this period, agricultural tribes settled in the plains and partially in the foothill zones, while semi-nomadic cattle-breeders primarily settled in the mountainous areas. The development of agriculture and cattle-breeding led to significant advances in the social and economic life of society during the Bronze Age and caused the formation of various social groups.

Keywords

• archaeology
• azerbaijan
• middle kura basin
• bronze age
• settlement
• natural-geographical environment
• archaeological excavations
• residential sites
• grave monuments