From the discussion of the issues related to cultural belonging and dating of a number of sepulchres attributed to Early Iron Age of Armenia, one could conclude that these issues need urgent solution. The widespread practice of looking for parallels of separate items when dating sepulchral complex is unpromising. In the best scenario, this approach can enable to identify the time interval of the formation of the given sepulchral complex, but cannot reveal its cultural belonging.

Keywordssepulchre Cimmerian Early Iron Age culture parallels simultaneous dating warrior rider related material bit.

Cimmerians are the first historical people of Eastern Europe. The term “Cimmerian culture” is known in archaeology since the beginning of the last century. The problem of the differentation of Cimmerian and Scythian archaological complexes is very important, which has not yet found a cardinal solution, particularly – in the Western Asian region. The discussed problem was not explored in Armenian archaeology at all. Through archaeological investigation of the manifestations of Cimmerian culture in the Armenian Highland, fundamentals can be established for defining the place of Cimmerian culture among concurrent archaeological cultures of the mentioned region.

Keywordsnew approach attributes Cimmerian culture funerary complexes burial groups funerary ritual tribal groups warrior riders weaponry horse tack.

The fact of the former presence of Scythian tribes in the east of the Armenian Highland has long attracted the attention of researchers. In all likelihood, the Gandzak plain in the Utik province of Greater Armenia, which the Armenians called Shakashen, was one of the places of concentration of Scythian tribes that penetrated into Transcaucasia. A century ago, it was believed, that some burial mounds in the Artsakh province, bordering this region, were built by the Scythians.

KeywordsArtsakh sepulchre burial ground deceased horse bridle characteristic Scythian arrowhead.

Since the Paleolithic, all the rituals comprising funerary rite were aimed at a single purpose – overcoming the death. The head of deceased was viewed as a valid replacement of the whole being. It was perceived as a container, where the vital energy was concentrated. Therefore, the head needed protection, which was provided by placing near the head ritual items made of flint, obsidian or metal, modelling the head in plaster, placing the head in a clay vessel or on a stone, etc.

Keywordssepulchre the head of the deceased human ritual items funerary rite apotropaic metallic items.