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.