Final Investigation and Publication of the Daghestan-American Velikent Expedition to SE Daghestan, Russia and Adjacent Region

FAIN: RZ-50688-07

Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA 02481-8203)
Philip L. Kohl (Project Director: November 2006 to June 2012)

The completion and preparation for publication of excavation, analysis, and interpretation at the ancient site of Velikent located in present-day Daghestan, Russia, an area that served as a trade route between the Eurasian steppes to the north and the Ancient Near East to the south. (36 months)

The site of Velikent, which is located on the Caspian corridor linking the Eurasian steppes with the ancient Near East, reveals connections with both these areas and contains rich archaeological materials relevant to important prehistoric questions such as the early long-distance exchange of tin-bronzes and the diffusion of wheeled vehicles throughout the Bronze Age world. This application seeks support for the completion of already initiated field investigations at the site and for the full publication of all its materials.