Bahshaliev V.B.
Key words: Nakhchivan, Kültepe I, Sirab, Chalcolithic, sites, pottery with chaff temper, obsidian, minerals of copper.

An archaeological research on the territory of Nakhchivan has revealed archaeological monuments concerning various periods of Nakhchivan history. However more research is needed to resolve the nature of the Neolithic culture in Nakhchivan and questions concerning the origin of Chalcolithic culture and Kura-Araxes. In Nakhchivan valley there is a multilayered settlement like Kültepe I, dated to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, until now in the east part of Nakhchivan new monuments of this period have not been found. At the same time, numerous Chalcolithic settlements have been excavated in Sharur. The apparent lack of Chalcolithic sites especially in the western part of Nakhchivan raises certain questions. In Iranian Azerbaijan in the vicinity of Julfa-Marand numerous Chalcolithic settlements have been located. The absence of similar sites in the east part of Nakhchivan is surprising. However the detection of new Chalcolithic monuments during the research near the Sirab village has shown that monuments of this period have not been investigated till now. The researches have revealed numerous pieces of pottery with chaff temper. The research during the recent years shows that Ubaid ceramics did spread to Nakhchivan, however the local traditions also developed. The researches of the monuments in the vicinity of Sirab show that this territory has been populated from an early period. The rich natural forage, abundant water, and the presence of numerous rocky ledges and caves created a favorable condition for the settlement. Finds of numerous splinters of obsidian queen cell of obsidians and also such minerals of copper as chalcozin and azurite during the survey show that the ancient people knew the environment well and used its mineral. Probably, the desire to reach raw materials encouraged the settlement of this area.