Re: [tied] obscure languages - Kaskian, Hattic,

John

Thanks for this reminder and the book title (with which I am
not familiar and which I should be able to cope with in the
original as my principal qualification is in German Language)
and web links.

Yes, I am aware of the metal-working of the Koban-Colchian
Culture and Iberia and Caucasian Albania (Azerbaijan)) and
artifacts such as the ceremonial bronze axes. Details of this
cultural area are covered by David Marshall Lang in his work
'The Georgians' (1966), publ. Thames& Hudson (one of the
books in the Ancient 'Peoples and Places.' series - still very
readable and useful as a basic reference, if a little dated.)

However, we appear to have little precise information about
this area from the point of view of the social organisation of
those dwelling there in the period in question 2nd Millennium
BCE, though one may conclude, judging by the artifacts you
refer to that it had reached a degree of sophistication level
at the local level. I do not know enough about the trading
links of these cultures to say any more.. The second
millennium is, however, rather early for Urartu and I know
nothing of Iran/Iraq in this period (First Babylonian Empire?)

Regards

Geoff Powers