Economy and status of Neolithic to Early Bronze age sites in the Southern Caucasus during the 6th‐3rd mill. BCE: The evidence from ground stone tools

In the Southern Caucasus, evolution of Neolithic to Bronze age (6th-3rd millenia BCE) economies is often investigated through prism adaptation constrasted landscapes and environments (arid plain, high moutains, subtropical western coasts) strategies natural resource exploitation. This overview main technological functional characteristics ground stone tools from about 20 sites in Kura Valley (Georgia, Azerbaijan) contributes discussion surrounding these questions. After an grinding equipment tool manufacture within a long term perspective, Late Neoliothic Early Age, several issues are adressed. The composition macrolithic toolkit key issue when discussing importance agriculture versus pastoralism economy populations, which evolved different regional environmental contexts. Its management also our understanding degree sedentarity mobility populations. Finally, we discuss how technical reflects principal global changes occurring during this period time (neolithisation, emergence metallurgy, mining phenomenon) their cultural meaning. Our initial results underline significance some implements as markers, contribute defining common background specificities South Caucasus region.