Mobile pastoralism is widely evoked when discussing technological developments, resource procurement, trans-regional interactions, and exchange networks in the South Caucasus. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive multiproxy investigation of faunal and botanical remains from the Middle to Late Chalcolithic in southern Armenia, at the high altitude Yeghegis-1 site, to directly assess herd mobility and human subsistence practices. Our findings indicate that, alongside intensified interregional connectivity, the inhabitants practised a rather sedentary form of multi-resource pastoralism, while maintaining herds at the site year-round. These results complement and expand upon models of pastoral mobility and its perceived crucial role in sustaining inter- and intra-regional connectivity. We argue that alternative models of increased intra-regional connectivity, focused on exchange between different specialised settled economies, need to be considered and further research is essential to unravel the complex interplay between subsistence, trade, and socio-economic dynamics.Introduction Results Site and Chronology Macrobotanical remains Morphology and taphonomy of faunal material Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry Collagen stable isotope analysis of herd animals Bulk tooth enamel stable isotope analysis of herd animals Sequential tooth enamel stable isotope analysis of herd animals Discussion Subsistence ecology Herd mobility Herd management Reassessing pastoral mobility Resource Availability Limitations of Stud
