Subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic period
Bioarchaeological analysis of Bavra Ablari rock-shelter (Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21263694 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alexia Decaix (0000-0002-0637-165X, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle), Lucie Martin (0000-0002-7803-2382, University of Geneva, corresponding author), Erwan Messager (0000-0001-5192-9088, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Jwana Chahoud (0000-0002-9434-7798, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Bastien Varoutsikos (0000-0003-3204-8271, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Ana Mgeladze (0009-0000-9664-9944, Georgian National Museum), Manana Gabunia (Georgian National Museum), Tamar Agapishvili (Georgian National Museum), Christine Chataigner (0000-0003-3584-1689, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Publication date | 2024-09-27 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2813-432X • E-ISSN: 2813-432X |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fearc.2024.1471093 |
| OpenAlex | W4402901514 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 42 |
This paper examines the subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic (c.4700–4300 BC) through bioarchaeological analyses of the Bavra Ablari rock shelter site. This region, rich in biodiversity and characterized by a variety of climates and landscapes, has a history of agropastoral occupation dating back to the beginning of the 6 th millennium BC. Up to now, archaeological studies have mainly focused on the valleys and lowlands, leaving the mountainous areas less explored. Recent excavations at Bavra Ablari, located at an altitude of 1,650 m, have enabled new bioarchaeological analyses to be carried out, providing data on the faunal and botanical assemblages of this period. These analyses reveal a mixed agro-pastoral exploitation, with a predominance of caprine (sheep and goats) rearing and cultivation of cereals, such as barley and einkorn. Faunal remains and evidence of hunting and fishing reveal extensive use of several biotopes. The study highlights the importance of pastoralism, attested to as far back as the Neolithic period, with herds moving seasonally to higher pastures in summer. Early Chalcolithic occupations, such as those at Bavra Ablari, show the persistence of pastoral activities in these mountainous regions despite severe winter conditions and suggest seasonal occupation of the site
Agriculture · Archaeology · Biology · Bronze Age · Chalcolithic · Geography · Livestock · Pastoralism · Subsistence agriculture · Subsistence economy · Zooarchaeology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Marine and environmental studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Ecology · Forestry
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| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |