Unearthing the Forgotten Past: Chalcolithic Cultural Treasures Discovered in the North Caucasus May Rewrite Prehistoric History

In a discovery that is already being hailed as one of the most significant prehistoric finds in Eastern Europe in recent memory, archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences have unearthed a sprawling network of Chalcolithic-era settlements along the Caspian Sea coast. These discoveries, made in advance of the R-217 “Kavkaz” highway expansion project in the Republic of Dagestan, are transforming our understanding of ancient life in the North Caucasus.

Among the 13 newly discovered sites, one in particular—“Dagoginskoye 2,” located near the town of Dagestanskie Ogni—has stunned researchers with its scale, preservation, and cultural richness. Situated about 15 kilometers north of Derbent, the site is dated to around the 5th millennium BC, placing it firmly in the Chalcolithic period, also known as the Copper Age. This transitional epoch between the Neolithic Stone Age and the full Bronze Age is often poorly understood, especially in this region of the world. But “Dagoginskoye 2” is already shedding new light.

A Glimpse into Prehistoric Settlement

At Dagoginskoye 2, archaeologists have uncovered what appears to be a fully developed settlement. Remnants of residential structures, utility pits, and burial areas paint a picture of a structured and sophisticated society. Clay ceramics with intricate designs, stone and bone tools, and a symbolic clay figurine of a bull offer insight into the spiritual and domestic lives of these ancient people.

“The sheer density and variety of artifacts are extraordinary,” said one of the lead archaeologists on the project. “This was not a seasonal or temporary encampment. This was a thriving, long-term settlement with established cultural practices.”

Obsidian Tools and Trade Routes

One of the most surprising elements of the discovery is the presence of obsidian tools—sharp-edged instruments made from volcanic glass. While such tools are not uncommon in ancient sites globally, their presence in Dagestan is geographically anomalous. Dagestan has no local source of obsidian, nor does it have any active or dormant volcanoes. This raises a compelling question: how did these prehistoric communities acquire such material?

Researchers believe the obsidian likely came from the Caucasus Mountains, several hundred kilometers to the south. This suggests the existence of early long-distance trade routes, possibly passing through multiple tribal territories or cultural zones.

“This is hard evidence of a prehistoric trade network—one that likely stretched across treacherous terrain and linguistic boundaries,” noted a cultural anthropologist affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences. “It tells us that even 7,000 years ago, people were connected in ways we’re only beginning to understand.”

A Bull Figurine and Ritual Symbolism

Among the site’s more enigmatic finds is a small clay figurine of a bull, likely a sacred or symbolic object. The bull has long been a symbol of fertility, power, and divinity in ancient cultures, and its presence here may indicate early forms of spiritual belief or agricultural ritualism. Scholars are now debating whether this figurine could mark the site as a ceremonial center as well as a residential one.

Its discovery alongside burial plots may also hint at beliefs regarding the afterlife or the spiritual role of animals within this early society. The multidisciplinary research team intends to carry out further symbolic analyses and comparative studies with other sites in the Caucasus and Near East.

A Previously Unknown Cultural Layer

According to the Russian Academy of Sciences, what makes Dagoginskoye 2 even more significant is its apparent uniqueness. Never before has a settlement with this combination of architectural, material, and symbolic elements been found in the North-East Caucasus. Researchers believe they are uncovering a previously unknown cultural layer—an ancient civilization or subculture that thrived in isolation or through limited contact with neighboring peoples.

“This is not just an archaeological site. It’s a cultural discovery,” emphasized one researcher. “We are staring into the face of a society that no one knew existed, whose habits, tools, and spiritual life may reshape how we think about prehistory in this part of the world.”

Scientific Roadmap: What Comes Next

While the initial excavation has revealed remarkable artifacts and structures, the scientific work is just beginning. Radiocarbon dating will be used to confirm the age of organic remains, while soil samples will help reconstruct the ancient environment. Pollen analysis could determine the types of crops cultivated or wild plants used, offering further insight into the region’s agriculture and diet.

The multidisciplinary team is also exploring isotopic analysis of skeletal remains to determine diet and migration patterns. These tests could show whether the residents were local or migrants, and whether they intermarried with neighboring tribes or cultures.

“There is a delicate balance between preserving what we’ve uncovered and conducting invasive tests,” said a conservation expert. “We’re going to take our time and do this right, because this site deserves nothing less.”

From Construction Zone to Cultural Landmark?

Ironically, the discovery was made only because of impending construction on the Kavkaz highway—a major infrastructure project slated to run through the area. The government has temporarily halted work in the immediate vicinity of Dagoginskoye 2, and there is now growing public interest in preserving the site as a permanent archaeological zone or even an open-air museum.

Civic groups and academic institutions are lobbying to have the site declared a protected heritage zone, noting its potential for both education and tourism. Plans are being drawn up for digital reconstructions, augmented reality walkthroughs, and possible partnerships with local museums.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity here,” said a local official. “This could be Dagestan’s Göbekli Tepe.”

Rewriting the History of the Caspian Lowlands

The discovery at Dagoginskoye 2 is forcing historians and archaeologists to revisit long-held assumptions about the prehistoric narrative of the Caspian Lowland region. Until now, this area was largely considered peripheral to the cultural hotspots of the ancient world. But that assumption may no longer hold.

With evidence of settled life, religious symbolism, trade networks, and sophisticated tools—all dating back 7,000 years—this quiet coastal region of modern-day Dagestan may soon take its place as a crucial node in the story of human civilization.

As one archaeologist aptly put it: “History isn’t always written by victors. Sometimes, it’s whispered from the dust.”