Rethinking architectural techniques of the Southern Caucasus in the 6th millennium BC: A re-examination of former data and new insights
On the basis of new data coming from recent excavations and the re-examination of former publications, a synthesis of architectural techniques in the Southern Caucasus Neolithic is proposed in this article. Using typological and technological analysis, and taking into account building materials, lay...
Enregistré dans:
| Udgivet i: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/paleorient, |
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| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Sprog: | Anglais |
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Paléorient
2022
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| Online adgang: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Summary: | On the basis of new data coming from recent excavations and the re-examination of former publications, a synthesis of architectural techniques in the Southern Caucasus Neolithic is proposed in this article. Using typological and technological analysis, and taking into account building materials, layout techniques and architectural morphology, an attempt has been made to define the technical characteristics of the Early Neolithic communities in this region. The evolution of architectural techniques consists of a complex and slow phenomenon where technical inertia and regional specificities were merged. Although no major technical change occurred throughout the 6th millennium BC, we nevertheless noticed the establishment of distinct construction processes that enabled the identification of well-defined “techno-cultural” groups, leading us to reconsider the model of a unique “Shulaveri-Shomu” culture. Finally, the development of the Caucasian communities’ technical advancement is compared with that of the neighbouring Near Eastern ones in order to shed light on the origins of the Neolithic in the Caucasus. |
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