The settlement of Godedzor is located at 1,800 m asl in the region of Syunik (south-eastern Armenia). Previous studies have highlighted the strategic position of the site in connection to both east to west and north to south routes of communication and in relation to the proximity to the main obsidian outcrops of the region. Excavations at Godedzor started in 2005 and revealed three main levels of occupation consisting of wooden and stone architecture. A substantial set of radiocarbon datings proves that the occupation at Godedzor can be dated to the mid 4th millennium and highlights that the site is one of the latest Chalcolithic occupations discovered so far in the southern Caucasus. In this paper, the most recent research on the architectural, ceramic, archeozoological and archeobotanical evidence from Godedzor is analysed and combined so as to build a comprehensive picture on the strategies of the pastoral groups that occupied Godedzor, on their origins and finally on the role that these groups played in the circulation of the obsidian in north-western Iran and in the introduction of farming practices in the highlands of southern Armenia.
Early pastoralism and natural resource management: recent research at Godedzor
G. Palumbi;
2021-01-01
Abstract
The settlement of Godedzor is located at 1,800 m asl in the region of Syunik (south-eastern Armenia). Previous studies have highlighted the strategic position of the site in connection to both east to west and north to south routes of communication and in relation to the proximity to the main obsidian outcrops of the region. Excavations at Godedzor started in 2005 and revealed three main levels of occupation consisting of wooden and stone architecture. A substantial set of radiocarbon datings proves that the occupation at Godedzor can be dated to the mid 4th millennium and highlights that the site is one of the latest Chalcolithic occupations discovered so far in the southern Caucasus. In this paper, the most recent research on the architectural, ceramic, archeozoological and archeobotanical evidence from Godedzor is analysed and combined so as to build a comprehensive picture on the strategies of the pastoral groups that occupied Godedzor, on their origins and finally on the role that these groups played in the circulation of the obsidian in north-western Iran and in the introduction of farming practices in the highlands of southern Armenia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
