RESUMEN La Provincia Metalúrgica Circumpóntica r~presentaba un sistema de centros de producción de cobre, bronces arsenicales y objetos de bronce de morfología similar, estrechamente interconectados_ Este amplio sistema jugó sin duda, un papel central en el Viejo Mundo durante más de un milenio y medio (desde la mitad del IV al inicio del 11 milenio a. C.) abarcando las culturas de las Edades del Bronce Antiguo y Medio en el territorio de la mitad meridional de Europa oriental. el Cáucaso, Asia Menor y la región Cárpato-Balcánica. Se estudia el problema de la morfología y la tecnología de la producción en el marco de unas amplias relaciones, la dinámica de desarrollo de diferentes sistemas culturales y productivos, su formación bastante rápida y su destrucción fortuita. Además se han examinado las cuestiones relativas a la funcionalidad de la producción metalúrgica dentro de las fronteras de la Provincia y el retroceso evidente de la metalurgia en Asia Menor y Próximo Oriente desde la mitad del segundo milenio a. C.ABSTRACT The Circumpontic metallurgical province represented a system of centres of production of copper, arsenical bronzes and tin bronze artefacts of similar morphology, all closely interrelated. This wide system undoubtedly played a central role in the Old World -during more than a millenium and a half (from the middle of the fourth millenium to the beginning of the second millenium B.C.) embracing the cultures of Early and Middle Bronze Ages in the territory of southern half of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Balkan-Carpathian region. The problem of morphology and the technology of production is studied in the framework of wide relatíons, the dynamics of development of different cultural and productive systems, the province's rather rapid formation and its fortuitous destruction. Furthermore issues are examined regarding the functional character of metallurgical production inside the boundaries of the province and the obvious decay of the metallurgy in Asia Minor and Near East from the middle of the second millenium B.c.(') Laboratorio de métodos científico-naturales del Instituto de Arqueología de la Academia de Ciencias de la U.R.S.S., Moscú.(1) N. del T. El original inglés fue traducido por M. a 1. Martínez Navarrete, asesorada en las cuestiones relativas a la minería y la metalurgia por A. Perea Caveda (Opto. de Prehistoria, C.E.H.) y A. Sánchez Rodríguez (I.T.G.E.) y a la tipología metálica por G. Ruiz Zapatero y M.a L. Ruiz-Gálvez (Opto. Prehistoria. Fac. Geografía e Historia. Univ. Complutense), El texto resultante fue revisado con el Dr. Chernij y T. TeneishviJi, quienes, siguiendo la sugerencia del Comité de Redacción, tradujeron los títulos bibliográficos para facilitar su conocimiento por los lectores de la lengua española. La Provincia Metalúrgica Circumpóntica (PMC) era un sistema de centros de producción \' de trabajo del metal interconectados de modo bastante estrecho. Cubría un área amplia que incluía la parte meridional de Europa oriental. el Cáucaso, Asia Menor, la r...

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Reinforcing metal elements in early Eurasian wheels are described. A typology of wheel constructions is proposed, and stages of their evolution and diffusion in socially and ethnically diverse societies are reconstructed. In Sumer and southwestern Iran, early (3d millennium BC) evidence of the use of wheeled transport includes remains of wagons in burials, representations on vessels and cylinder seals, as well as clay and metal models. The early reinforcing details were bronze nails pinned along the rims of solid wheels. Thick leather straps on treads served for binding wheels, prevented wear, and made riding more comfortable. Chariots marked high social status of their owners, and were used for military, hunting, and ritual purposes. Around 2000 BC, metal tread-bands with additional plates were introduced in Susiana and Central Asia. In the Early Iron Age, after a 1000-year long break, studded treads reappeared, but on spoked wheels. Such a construction occurs across a huge territory from the Balkans and Aegean to Bactria. The review of materials from the Bronze Age kurgan burials in the Eastern European steppes reveals no evidence of the use of metal details in the Pit Grave, Catacomb, Novotitorovka or Sintashta cultures, indirectly suggesting multiplicity of wheel-manufacturing traditions.

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The study focuses on metal details of headdresses of the Early Metals period (V—III mill. BC) from the Middle Eastern sites of the Late Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. The paper aims at clarifying the place and role of this group of material in development of social relations in the epochs of late prehistory and formation of early urban and early state societies. The author applies the comparative typological method and presents an overview of metal headdresses. Special attention is paid to the context of finds, which originate mostly from burial sites. The classification of diadems is based on the morphological principle. The earliest T-shaped diadems are known from the Balkan Chalcolithic, where they represent strictly local phenomenon. Long headbands appear in the Near East at the turn of V and IV mill. BC. In III mill. BC other types of head ornaments are worked out, such as oval and rhomboid frontlets and complex constructions. Some stable traditions in their construction and symbolism are traced. The finds are considered as markers of prestige and elevated social position, which is related to formation of elite groups. The ceremonial headdresses of local leaders demonstrated the hierarchical structure of the society. The religious symbolism of headdresses, in particular floral motifs, is considered in association with the idea of importance of the elite and its ritual activities aimed at preserving stability of the universe, community well-being and stimulating production.