Ritual Practices in the Kura-Araxes Culture: Hearths and Figurines as Markers of Religious Identity

The Kura-Araxes culture has been a central focus of archaeological studies, particularly its religious and ritualistic practices. Despite its significance, the evidence for these practices remains scarce and largely unexplored. Key findings, including figurines, hearths, and occasional architectural elements, have been uncovered across the culture's expanse, from northwest Iran to eastern Anatolia and the South Caucasus. This research aims to investigate the social identity and ritual beliefs of Kura-Araxes communities, identifying symbols and religious markers through both archaeological data and documentary analysis.The study addresses key questions: What does the evidence reveal about the ritual-religious beliefs of Kura-Araxes communities? How do these beliefs compare across Iran, the Caucasus, and other regions within the cultural sphere? Can we definitively discuss religion, rituals, and sacred spaces in these communities? Findings suggest that while dedicated religious spaces are absent in the archaeological record, two factors are critical: the temporal span (۳۵۰۰–۲۴۰۰/۲۵۰۰ BCE) and the continuity of Kura-Araxes culture in relation to contemporary societies like Uruk, known for established religious practices.The hypothesis of a semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle aligns with the portable nature of ritual artifacts, such as figurines and hearths, reflecting the domestic and familial character of their rituals. These artifacts provide insights into their religious beliefs, indicating that ritual practices were integral to this culture. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the Kura-Araxes cultural phenomenon and its ritualistic characteristics within the broader Bronze Age context.

کلیدواژه ها:

Kura-Araxes Culture ، Hearth ، Figurine ، Ritual Practices ، Religious identity ، Northwestern Iran ، South Caucasus