Metal of the North Caucasus culture of the trans-Kuban region(chemical and technological assessment)

The paper deals with the chemical and technological characteristics of metalofferings from the burials of the North Caucasus culture of the Trans-Kuban Region.It discusses a preliminary verified sample of 66 items; the metal composition of theseitems was determined by the spectral and X-ray fluorescence analysis carried out indifferent years. The chemical compositions determined are reviewed by functional andtechnological groups as well as by chronological groups. Data of the metallographic studiesof the items were also used. The study revealed evolutionary changes in metalworking in the North Caucasus culture of the Trans-Kuban Region. Comparison with the metalfrom synchronous sites in the Kuban Region and the Egorlyk and Kalaus interfluveshows that these changes are related to the stages of local cultural transformations andin substantive terms are equally typical for the steppe areas forming part of the NorthCaucasus metalworking region at the early stage of the Middle Bronze Age.