Among South Caucasian weapons of Middle Bronze Age, axes are the fewest in number. Today there are almost ten of them: Leninakan, Shamshadin-Navur (2 samples), Ghrmaghele, Natakhtari, Bodorna and Kirovakan. All the samples (except the axe of Kirovakan Kurgan) were discovered accidentally without any “accompanying” materials. Therefore, the determination of chronology is based on their comparison and the comparative analysis of Near Eastern parallel materials. Some axes of this type, which were discovered outside South Caucasus facilitate the determination of the dates of their origin. These axes have a long history of discovery. Hence, there are only two works dedicated to their chronological system [Кушнарева... 2001: 101-116; Müller-Karpe, 1995: 273].

      The Trialeti Culture axes of Middle Bronze Age are discussed in the paper by K. Kushnariova and M. Risin [Кушнарева... 2001: 101-116]. The authors created a chronological scale for South Caucasian axes on the basis of their comparison with Near Eastern material. The similar, but more voluminous scale was created by Muller-Karpe [Müller-Karpe, 1995:273]. It presents South Caucasian axes among the numerous analogous and different samples from the Near East.

       The axes, which were discovered in the South Caucasus are more developed than Near Eastern samples. Hence, they “belong” to the later period of time. B. Kuftin was the first, who studied the axe, which was accidentally discovered in Ghrmaghele [Куфтин, 1941:17-18][1]. He supposed, that it was closely connected with the axe from Tepe Gawra, layer VI [Speizer, 1935:106, 179, PPl. XLVIII; Avilova, 2008:82; Maxwell-Hyslop, 1949:90-129]. Ghrmaghele axe has a broad blade and an upraised tip.  Its body is faceted and the socket is connected to the broad blade with a sharp forehead, which has not got a straight upper part. The upper tip of the axe is upraised. The socket is ornamented with circles. Each of them is decorated with two points connected by a relief horizontal line. It was supposed, that the above mentioned axe could be a prototype of Late Bronze Age Central Transcaucasian and Kolkhian two-winged axes [Mikeladze, 1974:33-36; Qoridze, 1955:75-79, Japaridze, 1969:164 and others]. Its chemical composition (Cu-89,74%, Sn- 7,08%, Sb- 0,1%, Pb-1,27% ) shows that it belongs to the developed stage of the Trialeti Culture [Koridze, 1956:75-79, Pl. XIV,1; Koridze, 1965:57]. B. Kuftin supposed that it was used as a weapon and as an attribute of a parade [Куфтин, 1941:17-18]. Later, the discovery of the similar axes enabled the researchers to create their chronological system in compliance with the parallel material from the Near East. There are three samples approximate to Ghrmaghele axe. One of them was found in  Natakhtari, another in Bodorna, but the origin of the third one is unknown. Ghrmaghele axe looks like a sample from Natakhtari [Николаишвили...  2010:230].  Hence, the top of the blade of the latter is more massive. The socket ornament of Natakhtari axe is decorated with coniferous relief lines, which are set opposite each other in the middle of it. In the place of their connection relief triangles are placed opposite each other (above and below). The axe has the following chemical composition: Cu-93 %, Sn-0, 6 %, Pb-1, 7 %, Ag-0, 95 %. Relying on this data, the discoverers think that it is the Southern import, although they don’t exclude the fact, that it could be created by local masters from the imported half-finished products. The axe, which was found in Bodorna has a low step from the socket to the body. The socket is ornamented with two relief circles (each of them has a circle inside), which are connected with three horizontal relief lines [Koridze, 1956:75-79; Picchelauri, 1995:12-16, 34, Taf.5,30; Кушнарева... 2001:113]. There are only three ornamented axes in the Trialeti Culture. Hence, the samples from Armenia seem to be more archaic. The axe, which was found in the unknown place is more similar to the above mentioned Eastern Georgian samples. It has a very broad blade and a high sharp step, which connects the socket and the upper part of the body. Besides the given similarities, the axes have some differential features. The axe from the unknown place has a massive, sharp and upraised upper tip of the blade [Кушнарева..., 2001:113]. In contrast to the above mentioned axes, the samples from Armenia (Leninakan and Shamshadin-Navur) have a straight upper part of the body, a narrow blade and a sharp step from the socket to the upper part of the blade [Мартиросян, 1964:61-64]. One of the axes from Shamshadin has a slightly upraised upper tip of the blade, which can be regarded as a characteristic feature of the later developed samples. The both axes from Navuri have a slightly elongated outer side of the blade, which makes a ledge in the rip. Their sockets have a form of a trapezium from the side-view. Leninakan sample seems more archaic among South Caucasian axes. It has square forms and comparatively narrow blade in the form of a trapezium [Мартиросян, 1964:61]. This sign distinguishes it from other Transcaucasian axes, but approximates to the earlier Near Eastern samples. The above mentioned six axes have six faceted body. This feature clearly differentiates them from Early Kurgan and Mtkvar-Araksi samples.

        The chronological scale created by K. Kushnariova and M. Risin presents 13 axes: one of them is North Caucasian, eight - South Caucasian and four - Near Eastern [Кушнарева...  2001:113]. Axes from Kars, Tepe Gawra (VI layer) and Tall Billa are considered as the oldest samples. They date back to Acadian Period. The researchers suppose that the axe from Kars is the earliest sample. We think, that the most acceptable is Muller-karpe’s idea, who thinks that Tepe Gawra and Tall Billa axes originated earlier than the sample from Kars. The researcher dates them back to 2250-2132 B.C. and considers the beginning of the Dynasty of Ur III (2132 B.C. according to one of the versions) as the upper chronological border [The history… 1988:67; Müller-Karpe, 1995:273]). We think that the six faceted body of Kars axe confirms the idea that it originated earlier than the samples from Tepe Gawra and Tall Billa. They have not got such a characteristic feature and therefore, are considered as the earliest axes by Muller-karpe [Müller-Karpe, 1995:273].  In this case, his date is earlier than Kushnariova and Risin’s. The authors continue their scale with the axes from Leninakan, Shamshadin-Navur and an unknown place and date them back to the 20^th century B.C. [Кушнарева..., 2001:113]. According to Muller-karpe’s point of view, the axes from Leninakan, Shamshadin-Navur and Kars existed at the same period of time (the 22^nd -21^st centuries B.C.) [Müller-Karpe, 1995:273]. We agree with K. Kushnariova and M. Risin. The comparative analysis shows, that Kars axe existed earlier than the samples from Shamshadin-Navur, which have several features characterizing the later period. For example: the upraised upper tip of the blade and a half circle curve of the lower part of the body – a feature, which is found in Ghrmaghele, Natakhtari and Bodorna samples, but doesn’t characterize Kars and Leninakan axes. The lower part of their body is curved like an oval. Therefore, the lower tip of the blade is less directed to the hole of the shaft. In case of Kars, Tepe Gavra and Tall Billa axes the lower tip of the blade is more distant from the hole for the shaft, than in the following samples. After discussing Shamshadin-Navur samples, Kushnariova and Risin characterize the axe, which was found in the unknown place. It has the broadest blade among South Caucasian axes of that period of time. The axe looks like Ghrmaghele and Natakhtari samples. Hence, it has no ornaments. We think, that dates suggested by Kushnariova and Risin are chronologically very distant. It refers to the dating of the axes from Shamshadin-Navur (the 20^th century B.C.), an unknown place (the 20^th century B.C.), Ghrmaghele (the 18^th century B.C.) and Bodorna (the 18^th century B.C.). It’s natural, that they did not know the information about Natakhtari axe, which was discovered five years after the publication of their article.

      We accept the dates of Tepe Gawra and Tall Billa axes (2250 B.C. – the first half of the 22^nd century B.C.) suggested by the researchers [Кушнарева...  2001:113; Müller-Karpe, 1995:273]. Hence, we cannot agree with K. Kushnariova and M. Risin’s supposition, that Kars axe preceded the samples from Tepe Gavra and Tall Billa. According to our point of view, M. Muller-Karpe’s idea concerning the similar dating of Kars and Leninakan axes can be changed. Kars sample seems more archaic. It “approaches” the above mentioned two samples more than the developed axe from Leninakan, which has six faceted body and ribs set towards the blade. According to our point of view, there must be one more sample of development between Kars and Leninakan axes. Kars sample shows a weak attempt of making six faceted body, while in case of Leninakan sample it is vividly displayed. Moreover, Kars axe has a straight upper part of the blade, while the body of Leninakan sample has a form of a trapezium – the form, that does not characterize the axes of the following period. This fact can be assumed as a typological difference of Leninakan sample and Near Eastern axes of the same type.

      We think, that Leninakan axe is quite developed. In contrast to Shamshadin-Navur samples (which seem to be more archaic among the so-called “Ghrmaghele type” axes), its forms and design are well worked out. Therefore, it can be supposed, that Shamshadin-Navur axes are the first samples of the so-called “Ghrmaghele type” axes. The samples of the later origin have a characteristic feature of earlier axes - a straight upper part of the blade. Hence, Shamshadin-Navur axes were preceded by Leninakan sample. The precedence is shown by a half circle curve of the blade of the axe from Leninakan. The analysis of the samples enables us to suppose, that there must be one more stage of development between the given axes.   

        We think, that according to the material discovered in the South Caucasus, Leninakan axe dates back to the second half of the 22^nd century B.C. Therefore, it is followed by Shamshadin-Navur axes, which can be assumed as the samples of the period of the third Dynasty of Ur (2132-2024 B.C. [The history...1988:67]). According to our point of view, Shamshadin-Navur axes are followed by the sample from an unknown place, which was dated (the 20^th century B.C.) by K. Kushnariova and M. Risin. Hence, we suppose the existence of one more sample between the axes from Shamshadin-Navur and an unknown place. In contrast to the above mentioned samples, Natakhtari and Ghrmaghele axes could date back to the first half of the 19^th century B.C. The given idea is supported by K. Kushnariova and M. Risin’s supposition about the origin of Ghrmaghele and Bodorna axes, which could date back not later than the 18^th century B.C. [Кушнарева..., 2001: 113]. We think, that Bodorna axe appeared after Ghrmaghele and Natakhtari samples concerning the interrelation of the shaft hole and the upper part of the body. Parts of shafts of Ghrmaghele and Bodorna axes have a similar form. These details are more widened at the place of their connection with the blade (in contrast to Natakhtari sample).  

      We disagree with K. Kushnariova and M. Risin over chronological “approach” of Ghrmaghele and Bodorna axes to the samples similar to Kirovakan and Khoreji Serik. It can be supposed, that in contrast to Bodorna axe, they date back to the later period of time. This supposition is facilitated by a comparative analysis of Kirovakan and Khoreji axes with Natakhtari, Ghrmaghele, Bodorna and Central Transcaucasian samples of the Late Bronze Age. We think, that Kirovakan, Khoreji and Central Transcaucasian type axes developed from earlier originated “Ghrmaghele type” axes from an unknown place. Moreover, the massiveness and a special form of the upper tip of the blade liken them to the samples of the later period. We think that later two winged axes did not develop from Natakhtari, Ghrmaghele and Bodorna ones. Supposedly, there is one more sample of development and modification between the axes from the unknown place and Kirovakan. Among two later axes, Dagestan sample is more ancient [Котович... 1973:83]. The shaft of Khoreji axe is widened at the place of its connection with the blade (a characteristic feature of the above mentioned early axes). A sample from Kirovakan kurgan has a rectangular shaft [Пиотровский, 1949:46-47; Devedjian, 2006:260]. Moreover, in contrast to Kirovakan axe, the upper tip of the blade of the South Caucasian axe is lowered. Therefore, Kirovakan axe “approaches” two winged axes of the Late Bronze Age. 

       We think, that one type of the Near Eastern axes (which is spread in the Trialeti Culture) has four chronological stages of development. The first stage is presented by Tepe Gawra (VI layer), Tall Billa, Kars and Leninakan axes. Hence, the latter is discussed separately for the special form of its blade. Moreover, it can be singled out as a subgroup, because trapezium form of the blade is not met before and after Leninakan sample. The second stage of development is presented by two axes from Shamshadin-Navur. The third stage unites the so-called “Ghrmaghele type” axes from the unknown place, Natakhtari, Ghrmaghele and Bodorna, while the fourth one unites Khoreji and Kirovakan axes.

      The first stage:

1. Tepe Gawra – the second half of the 23^rd century B.C.
2. Tall Billa - the second half of the 23^rd century B.C.
3. Kars - the first half of the 22^nd century B.C.
4. Leninakan - the second half of the 22^nd  century B.C

   The second stage:

1. Two axes from Shamshadin-Navur - the period of the third Dynasty of Ur

   The third stage:

1. The unknown place – the 20^th century B.C.
2. Natakhtari – the first half of the 19^th century B.C.
3. Ghrmaghele - the first half of the 19^th century B.C.
4. Bodorna - the 19^{th –} 18^th centuries B.C.

      The fourth stage:

1. Khoreji - the 18^th century B.C.
2. Kirovakan - the 18^th century B.C.

        After presenting four stages of development, three types of axes can be singled out and discussed.

       The first type is presented by the samples from Tepe Gawra, Tall Billa and Kars. They have the following characteristic features: the straightness of the upper part of the blade, the blade directed to the inner side, an oval between the upper tip of the blade and a socket, a sharp and a high step from the socket to the upper part of the blade, the same height tips of the upper blade and the step from the socket to the upper part of the blade, a lower tip of the blade set lower (in contrast to the lower part of the blade), a round shaft hole. Leninakan axe can be regarded as a subtype of the first type of axes. Moreover, some similarities and differences can be revealed. The similarities are: the straightness of the upper part of the blade, a sharp and a high step from the socket to the upper part of the blade, a round hole of the blade, an oval between the upper tip of the blade and a socket. The differences are: an attempt of making six faceted body of the axe (the most prominent difference), a trapezium blade, rounded tips of the blade, the upper tip of the blade is higher that the tip of the step from the socket to the upper part of the blade, the lower tip of the blade is on the same line with the lower part of the blade. It’s worth mentioning, that Leninakan axe looks like Tepe Gawra (VI layer) sample with the form of its blade. Hence, a trapezium blade was not met in the South Caucasus after that period of time.

      The second type is presented by the axes from Shamshadin-Navur, an unknown place, Natakhtari, Ghrmaghele and Bodorna. We think, that the first samples of this type are Shamshadin-Navur axes. They  have characteristic features of the first type (the same height tips of the upper blade and the step from the socket to the upper part of the blade, the upper tip is not very sharp) as well as of the new type (a lower tip of the blade is curved towards the socket and makes a half circle, the upper tip of the blade gradually upraises, the body is well faceted, a hole of the handle is oval (the most important feature, which shows the progress)). Hence, the features of Shamshadin-Navur axes gradually disappear. For example, the angled step of a high sharp “passage” from the socket to the upper part of the blade takes more rounded shape. This transformation is represented in Bodorna sample.

     The third type is presented by the axes from Khoreji and Kirovakan kurgan, which can be regarded as the prototypes of Central Caucasian axes of the Late Bronze Age. They have the following characteristic features: massive, large rectangular socket with an oval shaft hole, two winged blade, the lower tip of the blade set closer to the socket, that makes almost a whole circle.

      Despite the categorization into three different types, all South Caucasian axes can be regarded as the representatives of a long chain of one type of development. It begins with Tepe Gawra (VI layer) and Tall Billa axes and ends with Bodorna sample. The “entrance” of Khoreji axe facilitated the creation of a new type, which was spread during the Late Bronze Age. The appearance of the above mentioned types was caused by the technical progress of a weapon of a specific type. Therefore, it was not connected with the “entrance” of a new type.

       We suppose, that the above mentioned axes (especially, Natakhtari, Ghrmaghele and Bodorna axes) were used as weapons by noble warriors. Their perfected design and refined ornament reinforces the idea, that their owners were representatives of the best social circles. Moreover, they were used as attributes of a parade.

[1] It’s worth mentioning, that it was found with human bones.