What type of study is this?

This is a Observational study (also classified as: Animal Study).

September 10, 2025Open Access

An Integrated Approach to Late Chalcolithic Bone Artefacts from Yeghegis-1 (Armenia): Technological, Traceological, and ZooMS Analyses

Key Points

Initial findings show a preference for caprine bones in the manufacture of bone artefacts, underlying local resource use.
Technological analysis reveals patterns consistent with other regional traditions while showcasing distinctive practices in the Lesser Caucasus.
Application of zooarchaeology enhances understanding of osseous material processing in Chalcolithic communities.
The study highlights the importance of bone artefacts in daily life, contributing to broader archaeological narratives.

Abstract

This article presents a preliminary study of the osseous industry from the Yeghegis-1 rock shelter in southern Armenia, dated to the Late Chalcolithic period. An integrated methodological approach, combining technological analysis, typological classification, use-wear studies, and Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), is applied to the assemblage. Here we reconstruct production strategies, use patterns, and discard behaviours associated with osseous material processing. Initial results reveal a preference towards the use of easily accessible Caprine bones for bone manufacture. Reconstructed technological patterns are broadly consistent with other regional Chalcolithic traditions, while also pointing to distinct local practices. This study contributes to a broader understanding of prehistoric technological systems in the Lesser Caucasus, highlighting the role of osseous industries in the daily lives of Chalcolithic communities.

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