Pages: 133-154

The study is based on the assumption that “early Scythian” burials of Trans-Kuban and Ciscaucasia started actively functioning in approximately 640—639 BC. This event was connected with the Cimmerians’ leaving Asia Minor after the death of Dugdamme (Ligdamis). The offered chronology of the “early Scythian” culture (end of 8th — mid. 6th c. BC) does not contradict either ancient written records or archaeological evidences. The division of the “early Scythian” culture into two large stages: pre-Kelermes (end of 8th — first half of 7th c. BC) and Kelermes (ca. 679 — first half of 6th c. BC) mostly corresponds to the characteristics of the changes in the context of the material culture. It is also proposed to divide Kelermes stage into three phases: 1st (679—630 BC), 2nd (620—580 BC) and 3rd (570—540 BC).

Keywords: Circumpontic Area, Early Iron Age, Cimmerians, Early Scythian Culture, periodization, chronology

Information about author:

Denis Grechko (Kiev, Ukraine). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Geroev Stalingrada Pr., 12, Kiev, 04210, Ukraine
E-mail: [email protected]