New finds of the Koban-Kolchis metal artifacts in the northeastern Black Sea coastline area (Krasnodar region). Earlier unknown area of the Koban-Kolchis bronzes

The paper introduces into scientific discourse chance finds of recent decades from the district of the Sochi resort-city and the adjacent part of the Tuapse district dating to the Late Bronze Age – Early Iron Age. Until recently, this region remained something of a ‘blank spot’ on the archaeological map. Cultural attribution of the population in this region also remained unclear. The published assemblage of chance finds is dated to several chronological horizons: late II mill. BC, 8th–7th cc. BC, 6th–4th cc. BC. Regarding the 8th–4th cc. BC, there are grounds to believe that bearers of a distinctive archaeological culture forming part of the overall Koban-Kolchis cultural unity inhabited this area. The culture is characterized by syncretism and presence of both salient Koban-Kolchis features and proto-Maeotian features and, subsequently, Maeotian features. It is difficult to consider this region as a contact zone due to presence of some impressive cultural markers, namely, bronze arched fibulae with ring thickened parts along the hoop. It will be possible to single out a distinctive Early Iron Age culture of the eastern Black Sea coastline region only after large-scale archaeological excavations and research.