Vinča–Altheim type metal axes as markers of cultural processes in Eastern Europe during the fourth–second millennia BC

The spreading of advanced pastoral-agricultural economy throughout the forest zone of Eastern Europe is still studied rather poorly. The appearance of Vinča–Altheim type metal flat axes in Ukrainian territory is linked to migrations from Central Europe during 3600/3500–3350/3300 ВС. The migrants participated in forming the Sophiivka group of Late Trypillia in the Middle Upper Dnipro region, which is linked to the appearance and the spread of agriculture and cattle-breading, as well as cremation burials, to the Forest zone of Eastern Europe. I link the findings of Vinča–Altheim type flat axes to this cultural group. As the result of this research, the progress in habitation of north-eastern Ukraine during the fourth to first millennia BC becomes clear to us. Metal flat axes of the Vinča–Altheim type appear to be the markers of cultural processes of the Eneolithic– Bronze ages, from the Sophiivka group of Late Trypillia to the Middle Dnipro and Sosnytsia cultures.