Universal History Annotation << Back ABOUT THE MONUMENTS OF THE BEGINNING OF AN ERA OF EARLY IRON AGE ON THE TERRITORY OF KABARDINO-PYATIGORYE (FINDS OF STONE STATUES AND CHARIOT HARNESS SETS OF THE VIII–VIIth CENTURIES BC) V.A. Fomenko The article deals with the finds of stone statues (including deer stones) and sets of chariot harness of the 8th–7th centuries. BC. on the territory of Kabardino-Pyatigorye (between the Kuma and Baksan rivers). Usually, these findings were associated with the cultural influence of the population of the steppes of southern Eastern Europe. The author believes that stone sculptures and sets of chariot harness are quite typical for the Kamennomost-Berezovka (Western Koban) culture. Signifi cant distribution of stone sculptures of the VIII–VII centuries BC. in the study area confi rms the hypothesis of N.L. Chlenova about the identity of the Cimmerians mentioned in historical sources and the Kamennomost-Berezovka culture. Finds of stele-obelisks of the pre-Scythian time in the mountainous regions of the Central Ciscaucasia (Elbrus area) suggest that the people of the Kamennomost-Berezovka culture actively used the local pastures. It is also likely that sanctuaries of pre-Scythian and Scythian times are functioned in the highlands. In addition, the article analyzes information about the fi nds of the chariot harness of the VIIIth–VIIth centuries BC. in Kabardino-Pyatigorye and in Trans-Kuban region. Remains of chariots were found in the under-kurgan protomeotian burials of the Uashkhitu I necropol groud in Adygea. In Kabardino-Balkaria and Pyatigorye, the remains of chariots have not yet been found in pre-Scythian burials. However, the frequent occurrence of chariot harness of the VIIIth–VIIth centuries BC. in these areas allows us to agree with the hypothesis of N.L. Chlenova about the common (Cimmerian) origin of the protomeotian and Kamennomost-Berezovka antiquities. However, the monuments of Trans-Kuban area and Kabardino-Pyatigorye of this time have some differences, the causes and nature of which have not yet been considered in detail in a separate monographic study. Keywords: North Caucasus, pre-Scythian time, anthropomorphic sculptures, stones-obelisks, harness, chariots, Kamennomost-Berezovka culture, protomeotes, Cimmerians. DOI: 10.25791/vseist.04.2020.1120 Pp. 67-72.