Elmar V. Bakhshaliyev*, Veli B. Bakhshaliyev**

Nakhchivan Branch of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

*E-mail: elmarbaxsaliyev91@gmail.com
**E-mail: velibahshaliyev@mail.ru

Keywords: the South Caucasus, Karabakh, Nakhchivan Tepe, North-West Iran, impressed pottery.

In 2019, excavations in the Nakhchivan Tepe settlement uncovered a Neolithic layer which produced ceramic objects with impressed ornament. The findings allow reviewing connections between the Neolithic cultures of the Mil Plain, Karabakh and the region of Lake Urmia. Based on the research results, it can be stated that the cultures of the Mill Plain and Karabakh characterized by impressed ornament contributed to the formation of the Dalma Tepe culture. It can be assumed that the area of formation of Dalma Tepe culture covered the territories of Nakhchivan and the basin of Lake Urmia. Research shows that the Nakhchivan Tepe settlement was part of the area of Dalma Tepe culture formation. Thus it can be concluded that the culture of Dalma Tepe emerged in the border region of the Middle East and the South Caucasus and later spread from its main centre south of Lake Urmia, to Iran, Iraq and Eastern Anatolia.

DOI: 10.31857/S086960630015375-1