Pages: 413-431

This paper regards the exploitation of knappable stone resources during the 3rd mill. BC in the mountains of the Caucasus and the desert landscapes of Upper Sindh (Pakistan). Here are located two of the most important stone mining fields of the Bronze Age, which started to be exploited when two very different complex societies developed in these regions. The paper examines the reasons why knappable stones, obsidian and chert, were exploited in a period during which metal was already in use in both areas and why stone resources continued to be so important in the economy of greatly developed Bronze age societies. Moreover, comparisons are made with other Bronze Age centres of Eurasia, where the employment and trade of stone material contributed to the development and wealth of complex urban societies.

Keywords: Bronze Age, Complex Societies, Mining, Obsidian, Chert, Caucasus, Sindh

Information about authors:

Paolo Biagi (Venice, Italy). Professor, Doctor of History. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Ca’ Cappello, San Polo 2035, Venice, I-30125, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-5948-296X
Renato Nisbet (Torre Pellice, Italy). MA.
E-mail: [email protected]