Areni-1 Cave

The present article discusses developments in metallurgy and the trends of cultural contacts during the Late Chalcolithic period ( ea. 4400/4300 -3500/3400 calBC), the Early Bronze Age ( ea. 3500/3400 - 2500/2400 calBC) and the Middle Bronze Age ( ea. 2500/2400-1600/1500 calBC) in Armenia. During these periods the cultural contact between the Near East and the Southern Caucasus is essentially reflected in metal matters. This speaks for existence of concrete exchanges and knowledge-sharing concerning technologies and values. In this respect, the idea that metal was the main object of interest ofSyro-Mesopotamian societies in the region and the main impetus for contacts can be true, although also other factors such as obsidian or wine could have played a certain role for such contacts, realised either by trade or through nomadic pastoralists. As a result of such relations also advances in the mental sphere are visible, reflected e.g. in the use of weight systems directly connected to metallurgical procedures. Such advances were accompanied by process of essential social transformations.