Transcaucasian branches of the great silk road and historic sites of the region of Caucasian Mineralnye Vody

The article discusses archaeological data on the functioning of the Great Silk Road branches in the Pyatigorye region (the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody region). Materials on the main sites (settlements near the mountains Zmeyka, Razvalka, Kozii skaly, Goryachaya, Dubrovka) and the remains of ancient roads that led to them were analyzed. Historic sites of the Kislovodsk basin, including the settlements of Ostryi Mys, Gornoe Ekho, Rim-Gora and others were considered. The author also gives the examples of the most striking import items, indicating the presence of trade and exchange relations with distant regions in antiquity and the Middle Ages. Based on the results of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that there is a need for further identification and research of ancient and medieval roads in the Pyatigorye region, as well as analysis of the contacts of the local population.