Archaeology in Georgia 1980-1990 (Post-Prehistoric to Pre-Mediaeval)

Author(s): D. Kacharava
Source: Archaeological Reports, No. 37 (1990 - 1991), pp. 79-86
Published by: The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/581171
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 Archaeological Reports 37, 1990-91, 79-86, Printed in Great Britain

ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-1990 Gora, situated on the territory of the village of Ergeta (10km
(Post-prehistoric to pre-mediaeval) E of the sea). Five cultural layers were identified, the two
uppermost being of the period under discussion. Both con-
tained remains of burnt-down wooden structures of log-cabin
The present information is an attempt to continue the report type. The bulk of the archaeological finds is made up of
published in AR 1983-84. As distinct from that earlier one, pottery of local production, its closest analogies found in
abundance in the Colchian settlements of the end-6th/5th Ct.
this report surveys the work done by the Georgian archae-
ological institutions in both the western and eastern parts ofBC.
theIn addition to local pottery Greek amphorae and Egyptian
scarabaei of the same date were also found. (Field Archaeo-
Georgian Republic (Fig. 1). Large-scale investigations of the
remains of the post-prehistoric to pre-mediaeval period were logical Studies in 1984-1985, Tbilisi 1988, 39, plates XLVI-
continued in Western Georgia (the area of ancient Colchis). LII, in Russian).
Sites on the Black Sea coastal line have been intensively
studied. Underwater surveys have been made in the vicinity of Poti
(seaport - v. Grigoleti - Lake Paliastomi) by the hydroarch-
The Batumi Research Institute Expedition (directed by aeological
A. expedition organized by the Centre for Archae-
ological Studies (directed by G. Gamkrelidze). Most important
Kakhidze) continued excavations of the Pichvnari necropoleis,
is the settlement of the 3rd-7th Ct. AD discovered in the NW
though on a small scale. Notable among the finds are Attic
part
vases of the second quarter of the 5th Ct. BC (wg lekythoi ofof Lake Paliastomi. The settlement is identified with the
the Beldam Painter, a rf owl-skyphos). Also of interest ruins
is a of Phasis of the 3rd-7th Ct. AD, mentioned by several
burial with tiled roofing, almost completely robbed.Byzantine
(A. authors. (G. Gamkrelidze, 'Hydroarchaeological
survey in the area of ancient Phasis', in The Black Sea littoral
Kakhidze, 'A burial with tiled roofing', in Remains of South-
in the 7th-5th Cts BC: Literary sources and archaeology
Western Georgia, XII, Tbilisi 1983, 53-63; T. Sikharulidze,
(Problems of authenticity), Tbilisi 1990, 215-219).
'New specimens of Attic painted pottery from the Pichvnari
necropolis', in Remains of South-Western Georgia, XVII,
Excavations (directed by S. Shamba) at the Ochamchire
Tbilisi 1988, 62-71 - in Georgian, with summaries in Russian).
settlement, identified with the city of Gyenos (Ps-Scylax 81),
The collection of Attic painted pottery found in Pichvnari,
were resumed by the Ochamchire Archaeological Expedition of
a Sinopean drachma of c. 500 BC and a bronze jug of the mid-
the Abkhasian Institute of Language, Literature and History, of
5th Ct. BC have recently been discussed in Remains of South-
Western Georgia, XVI, Tbilisi 1987, 44-46, 47-50, 51-108,the(inAcademy of Science, Georgian Republic. The object of
Georgian, with Russian summaries). study was again an artificial hill located in the E part of the
settlement. A novelty in the recent excavations was the
Since 1984 the Kolkheti Archaeological Expedition of discovery
the of A pottery, including bf Attic vases, Ionian banded
ware, Chian amphorae. (S.Shamba, Gyenos, I, Tbilisi, 1988, in
Centre for Archeological Studies (directed by T. Mikeladze)
Russian).
has conducted fieldwork on the many-layered hill Mamuliebis

THE

Fig. 1

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80 D. KACHARAVA

Fig. 2

Several sites were discovered both along the coastal line and territory of the village Balan (Ochamchire district) is worth
in the hinterland by the archaeological expedition of the Centre noting, though very damaged by agricultural activities. It is
for Archaeological Studies, directed by M. Baramidze. dated from the end-4th/first half of the 3rd Ct. BC. Among the
In the village of Pichori (400m N of the sea coast) a burials, one containing an Attic-type helmet, iron weapons
settlement embracing 12 artificial mounds was brought to light, (arrowheads, spearheads, axes) and gold ornaments (bracelets,
the central one 5m high, its diameter reaching 60m. Eight plaques, rings, buttons) deserves special attention.
cultural layers were detected, covering the period from the last
quarter of the 3rd mill. to the 4th-3rd Ct. BC. The material An expedition from the Centre of Archaeological Studies
obtained is of considerable importance for studying the (directed by G. Lordkipanidze) continued work at Bichvinta,
architecture, metallurgy, and various branches of handicraft in 58 km N of Sukhumi. The R-Byz city site, brought to light
BA and IA Colchis. At the nearby necropolis, dated to the here many years ago, is identified with the Pityus of ancient
end-7th/beginning-5th Ct. BC, one collective pit-grave was authors (Strabo, XI, 2, 14; Plin., NH, VI, 16; Arrian, Periplus
studied, evidently a secondary burial. The pit was encircled by Ponti Euxini, 17; Anon. PPE, 14 and others). In the period
a pebble stone 'ring', with traces of the funerary feast detect-
under discussion excavation has been largely confined to the
able. The Jvaralebi and Nakargali settlements were necropolis of the 2nd-4th Ct AD. Pit-graves, amphora-graves
uncovered 2km and 4km respectively to the N of the above and burials constructed of tiles were identified, and finds
site. The former contained H material, while the latter proved included a silver arm-band with the representation of Fortuna-
to have been settled from the MBA up to the A period Tyche (Fig. 2). Their connection with the R provincial world
inclusively. is attested by the character of the burial goods as well as by
Excavations of the Gudava dune settlement have turned up the burial ritual (individual inhumations in extended pose,
three construction periods datable to the 8th-6th Ct. BC. A facing either E or W). The habit of covering burials with
settlement containing materials of the same period has been concrete layers is thought to be of practical rather than
discovered in the SW part of the village of Gagilo (Gali religious purpose.
district). Archaeological data provided by the study of the
Abazhu settlement, recorded on the territory of the village of The archaeological explorations of 1980-1990 also embraced
Pirveli Gali (Gali district), belongs to the H, C and PC sites of the inner part of Colchis. The Vani archaeological
periods. A lodging cut in the ground with an area exceeding Expedition (directed by O. Lordkipanidze) carried out a
1000m2 is worth noting. It is hypothesized that this construc- complex study of the Vani city site proper and its urbanized
tion was connected with cult rites. The Shesheleti settlement zone. Field-explorations were continued on all terraces of the
(Gali district) has yielded archaeological finds of the H period, site. On the lower terrace a new trench with an area of 600m2
as well as of the 8th-7th Ct. BC. has been cut along the NE facade of the temple architectural
A site of the 1st mill. BC was uncovered in the SE part ofcomplex of the 2nd-lst Ct. BC which was studied in previous
the village of Tamishi (Ochamchire district), 200m N of the years. In the area immediately adjoining the complex, rem-
sea coast. The settlement represents a complex of artificialnants of a ruined mud-brick structure were unearthed. The
hills connected by a system of canals. A necropolis on thecontinuation of the ritual ditch, crossing the central building of

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 ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-90 81

the temple complex, was traced. In the E part of the trench

ruins of the mud-brick wall overlaid the remnants of a tiled
roof. The ritual ditch was found to end near the gully.
In the NE part of the central terrace, while digging the
remains of H structures and drainage channels, a sacrificial
area of the 8th-7th Ct. BC was discovered. Unearthed here
were several hundreds of broken vessels, fragments of minia-
ture earthenware altars and figurines of various animals such
as deer, ram, pig, bull-calves and fantastic creatures, as well as
ashes and bones of cattle and pigs. Of special interest are the
terracotta sculptural representations of fantastic creatures: four-
footed figures with two heads on opposite sides, along with
two- and three-headed creatures (Fig. 3). Among the H finds,
mention should be made of a bronze foundry datable, judging
by the stratigraphic context, to the 2nd-lst Ct. BC.

Fig. 3

In the SW part of the central terrace archaeological excavations

have brought to light H cult buildings belonging to different
construction phases. Considered the latest are 12-step altars,
a treasury, and remnants of a mud-brick building. Sacrificial
pits cut in the rocky ground and two buildings preserved in the
form of 'nests' (cut in the rocky ground and meant to hold the
first course of stone masonry), are connected with the earlier
construction period. Cultural layers yielded rich and various
H archaeological material such as limestone and sandstone
architectural details, cult items, parts of various cast bronze
statues, and pottery sherds. A fragment of a Greek inscription
constitutes one of the most outstanding finds. The inscription
is believed to be a temple legislative document made in the 3rd
Ct. BC. (T. Qaukhchishvili, 'A Greek inscription on a bronze
plaque from Vani', Local ethnopolitical entities of the Black
Sea littoral in the 7th-4th Ct. BC. (Materials of the Fourth Fig. 4
Symposium on the ancient history of the Black Sea littoral),
Tbilisi 1988, in Russian).
In the middle of the central terrace the main object of study The most outstanding finds made recently at Vani were on the
was a cult complex of the 4th-3rd Ct. BC, containing a ritual E slope of the central terrace. Resting on the debris of
ground paved with pebbles, a cult ditch cut in the rocky structures destroyed in the mid-lst Ct. BC, a truncated life-
ground, and a structure built of limestone blocks (jeweller's
sized bronze statue of a youth was discovered (Fig. 4). It is
workshop?). The cultural layer of the 2nd-lst Ct. BC, dam- badly damaged, with the head, arms, and legs below the knees
aged by medieval burials, was also studied. missing. The torso is tentatively attributed to the circle of the
A burial of the second half of the 4th Ct. BC was
so-called classicising monuments of the H period, oriented to
uncovered in the E part of this terrace. The gravethe goods
Severe style (O. Lordkipanidze, 'A new find in Vani
feature Colchian clay vessels, a bronze phiale and two Col- report)', Vestnik drevnei istorii, 1989, N 3, 178-
(Preliminary
chian triobols. Jewellery includes gold necklaces with crescent
182). Several fragments of other bronze sculptures were found
pendants, as well as earrings with miniature sculptural repre-
close by, including female hands, a knee and gilded inlays.
sentations of birds.
Besides these, special attention attaches to several niches cut

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82 D. KACHARAVA

in the rocky ground and containing materials of the 3rd-2nd

XI,11,17), as well as by Ct.
Byzantine authors (Procop., BP, 12,
BC (Colchian amphorae and tableware, golden beads,
11,29; BG, frag-
VIII, 13,16; Menandr. Prot., fr. 1; Just., Nov. XXX 1-
ments of terracotta statues). To the same period
XXX 11).belongs
According toalso
the ancient Georgian literary sources
a roadway paved with sandstone slabs. Shorapani fortress was founded by King Paravaz, the first
Bronze statuettes of a man (18cm high)king and a woman
of Iberia (eastern Georgia).
(16cm) were unearthed in the E part of the upperTheterrace. Both
fortress appears to have consisted of two main parts:
statuettes lay face down in pits cut in the rocky ground.
the lower They
town, situated on a promontory at the confluence of
are decorated with golden torques, bracelets, earrings
the Rivers Dzirula andand
Qvirila, and the upper citadel located on
wreaths. The finds belong to the 3rd Ct. BC (D. hilltop.
a rocky Kacharava,
The main object of study was the medieval
'Bronze statuettes from the ancient city site fortress
of Vani', Dzeglis
where cultural layers of the closing centuries BC were
Megobari, 63, Tbilisi 1983, 33-34, in Georgian, with
uncovered, as well sum-
as fragments of stone masonry dating to the
maries in Russian and English). One of the novelties
lst-2nd Ct. AD. Of dis-
special interest is the discovery of a
covered in the recent Vani excavations was fragmentary
a jar-burial (i.e. sherds of Colchian pottery dated
layer containing
burial in a pithos) dated to the first half of the 3rd
to the Ct. Ct.
6th-4th BC. BC. The lower town has been only partly
The Vani archaeological expedition also studiedcontinued the The earliest layer unearthed there
archaeologically.
investigation of the surrounding area. According belongs to theto the In the area occupied today by a
H period.
evidence provided by archaeological excavations on the
moder settlement (to the E of the medieval fortress) excava-
Sakakile hill near the village of Sulori (16km from Vani)a Colchian
tions revealed there site dating from the 6th-4th Ct. BC.
existed a settlement in the 8th-4th Ct. BC. TheWorth noting
site also yielded LH remains as well as those of the 4th-
among the casual finds from Sulori are a Colchian 6th Ct. AD bronze
and evenaxelater times. (V. Japaridze, 'On the
of the 7th Ct. BC, ornamented with figures archaeological of riders, and
study a
of Sarapanis-Shorapani', Dzeglis Mego-
hoard of silver coins, consisting largely of Colchian triobols
bari, N 63, Tbilisi 1983, 49-54, in Georgian, with a summary
(Fig. 5). in Russian; V. Japaridze, New archaeological data on Shora-
For the results of the recent archaeological excavations at pani (Sarapanis) in the antique period, Tbilisi 1990, in
Vani see: Vani: Archaeological Excavations, VIII, Tbilisi, 1986 English).
(in Georgian, with summaries in Russian). The 5th volume of
the same series is. dedicated to the local pottery of the 6th-4th The Georgian State Museum of Arts renewed work in the
Ct. BC, while the Colchian jewellery and the Greek imports upper reaches of the River Qvirila. Archaeological explora-
are discussed in the 6th and 7th volumes respectively. tions (directed by J. Nadiradze) have shown that this region
was densely populated in the 1st mill. BC. Approximately 40
The archaeological expedition of the Centre for Archaeological settlements have been brought to light in an area with a radius
Studies (directed by V. Japaridze) has begun work at Shora- of 80km, to the N of the town of Sachkhere. The Sairkhe
pani, identified with Sarapanis - a significant fortress on the settlement is the largest among them, occupying an area of
eastern border of Colchis, mentioned by Strabo (Geogr. XI,3,4; 70ha. The excavations were carried out on Sabaduri hill,

Fig. 5

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where three cultural layers have been identified, of the 8th-7th,
6th-4th and 3rd-lst Ct. BC. Of particular interest are the
remains of workshops specializing in ferrous and non-ferrous
metallurgy. Along with the city site, burials have been found
dating from the 5th to the turn of the 4th-3rd Ct. BC. The
burial constructions are of oak logs, fastened with large iron
nails. This oak-log construction has an outer layer of corbelled
drystone vaulting. The burial-chambers consist of two parts.
Together with the main interments there are those of servants,
as well as horses. The burial inventory is quite rich, consisting
of vessels, pottery and gold, and silver ornaments (diadems,
necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, beads, plaques). (J.
Nadiradze, Sairkhe - an ancient town of Georgia, Tbilisi 1990,
in Georgian, with summaries in Russian and English).
......
i
W
Fig. 6
An archaeological expedition of the State Museum of Georgia
(directed by E. Gogadze) has been exploring since 1982 two
synchronous (8th-6th Ct. BC) manufacturing settlements of
Central Colchis. One of them is located in the village of
Mukhurcha (Martvili district), the other is in the village of
Ochkhomuri (Chkhorotsque district). Both sites have yielded
remains of a diversified handicraft industry, in which the
manufacture of coloured stone beads (comelian, agate, jasper)
proved to be particularly intensive (Fig. 6). The cultural layers
abound in raw materials and waste, as well as in stone tools
and devices for bead-making, and abrasive quartz (Fig. 7). A
large number of billets (semi-finished beads) has been found
along with completed ones, and bronze rods for drilling billets
were identified. Mass finds point to large-scale treatment of
flint.
The Ochkhomuri site shows clear traces of metallurgical
production (bronze, iron). Its large-scale character is attested
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ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-90 83
Fig. 7
by the discovery of a considerable quantity of bronze ingots
and iron blooms and fragments of spilled metal. A splendid
find from Ochkhomuri is a rich founder's hoard consisting of
146 bronze items, including damaged and worn tools, weapons
of various types and ingots.
In the eastern part of Georgia (ancient Iberia) several sites of
the period in question have been subjected to excavation.
Since 1975 Mtskheta and its vicinity have been worked on
annually. Over the period 1980-1990 archaeological sites have
been found and studied at the confluence of the Rivers Mtkvari
and Aragvi, as well as in the Mukhrani valley.
In the Samtavro valley a settlement of the 1st Ct. BC with
an area of 800m2 was excavated. Notable among the finds is
a building consisting of two compartments, built of mud bricks
on a stone socle. Imbrices and flat tiles constituted the roofing
of the building. The Mtskheta Expedition (directed by V.
Nikolaishvili) also resumed the exploration of the Samtavro
necropolis. Among the finds mention should first be made of
a tomb built of sandstone slabs, containing two corpses. The
burial inventory included 37 coins and a large quantity of
silver and gold ornaments (Fig. 8). On the basis of the
inventory, the tomb is dated to the second half of the 2nd/first
half of the 3rd Ct. AD. Further, the Samtavro necropolis
yielded coins, gems, and various items of gold, silver and glass
all characteristic of the 4th Ct. BC.
In Baiatkhevi, situated N of Samtavro, a necropolis of the
3rd Ct. AD was found, the burial structures being of flat tiles.
In Ghartiskari (N of Mtskheta), where the N gate of
Mtskheta was discovered in previous years, the study of
fortifications was continued. The adobe structures of the
curtain walls and quadrangular towers were erected on a stone
socle. Especially noteworthy are the remains of an archi-
tectural complex dug up in the interior of the defensive system,
consisting of an inner yard and a suite of rooms (Fig. 9).
Near Tsitsamuri (identified as the Seusamora of Strabo)
a necropolis of the 1st Ct. BC-lst/2nd Ct. AD was brought to
light; a bronze batillum and an Italic oenochoe were among the
finds.
84 D. KACHARAVA

Fig. 8

own systems of sewage and water-supply. The swimming pool

i/P2I - 1986 (36m x 11.5m) is a quadrangular structure cut in the ground
(Fig. 10). The walls, faced with ashlar, are built of pebble.
Both the palace with the atrium and the swimming pool belong
to the 2nd-4th Ct. AD. The structure with apses is believed to
be of basilica type. It is dated to the 5th Ct. AD while the
peristyle palace has been found to be one of the earliest
buildings of the city site, dating to the turn of the pre-Christian
and Christian eras.
The material obtained has demonstrated that the communal
economy of the site was highly developed. The sewage
system, as well as 10 water-mains have been brought to light.
A considerable amount of pottery, fragments of glass vessels,
tiles and bricks were found. There were also several Parthian
and Roman coins. (A. Bokhochadze, 'New finds on the
territory of Dzalisi city site', Dzeglis Megobari, 1987, N 4, 25-
30, in Georgian, with a Russian summary).

An archaeological expedition directed by S. Margishvili of the

Fig. 9 Centre for Archaeological Studies has begun explorations in the
Algeti valley. Over the period 1980-1990 five archaeological
sites have been discovered - four necropoleis and one settle-
The Dzalisi city site is situated near Mtskheta, in the vicinity ment. The earliest necropolis came to light near the village of
of the modem village of Dzalisi. It is identified with the town Enageti (end 5th-4th Ct. BC), revealing 17 burials - largely
of the same name mentioned by Ptolemy (Geogr., III,1). cist-type. Notable is the discovery of a glass kohl-tube in one
Long-standing excavations have been conducted here by the of the burials (Fig. 11). At the Papigora necropolis (1.5km W
Centre for Archaeological Studies expedition (directed by A. of the village of Asureti) 79 burials were excavated. These
Bokhochadze). In the period under review emphasis has been are mostly cist-burials, but several pit-graves and a jar-burial
on the study of the lower town, where a palace with an atrium, were also found. As a rule, the interments are individual
a swimming pool, a structure with apses, and a peristyle palace inhumations. The burial inventory is not rich, consisting of
have been unearthed. Occupying an area of 2500m2, the palace pottery, bronze ornaments and beads; silver ornaments and iron
with the atrium consists of more than 30 halls and rooms ofweapons are extremely rare. The necropolis is dated to the
4th/first half of the 3rd Ct. BC.
various dimensions and purposes. It was furnished with a hot
air heating system, the hypocaust of which was uncovered. A
lavatory of two compartments was found, provided with its

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 ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-90 85

Fig. 10

The 97 burials dug up at the Shavsaqdara I necropolis (near

the village of Shavsaqdara) are datable to the 4th/beginning of
the 3rd Ct. BC. The construction-type of graves, burial rites
and composition of inventory have their closest analogies with
relics found at the Papigora necropolis. Both necropoleis are
thought to belong to the rank-and-file stratum of the popula-
tion.
The burials found at the Shavsaqdara II necropolis (700m
W of Shavsaqdara I) are relatively large-sized. The corpses
are laid on wooden couches and horses are almost invariably
found with them. The inventory consists of gold ornaments,
silver and bronze vessels, glass unguentaria and pottery of
excellent quality (Fig. 12). It is believed that we are dealing
here with the burials of representatives of the local elite. The
necropolis is dated to the turn of the 4th-3rd Ct. BC and is
connected with the settlement of the H-R periods, the archae-
ological investigation of which has begun only recently. (N.
Tushishvili, S. Margishvili, 'Algeti valley archaeological
expedition in 1983-1985', Dzeglis Megobari, N 4, 1987, 44-47;
S. Margishvili, 'The Enageti necropolis', Dzeglis Megobari, N
1, 1990, 46-51, both in Georgian, with a summary in Russian.)

Archaeological study was started at a many-layered hilltop site

named Dedoplis Gora near the town of Kareli by an expedi- ....
tion from the State Museum of Georgia directed by Ju. -
Gagoshidze. It has been ascertained that the first communities
settled the site in the 5th/4th mill. BC. From this time on, the
Fig. 11

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86 D. KACHARAVA

Fig. 12

hill was occupied nearly continuously up to the EByz period.

The excavations have largely centred on the site of a building
which is said to be a palace. An area of 700m2 has been
excavated, embracing the W part of a peristyle inner yard
connected with household activities. The chronological range
of the archaeological material is from the 3rd/2nd Ct. BC to
the lst/2nd AD. We should mention here some engraved
plaques made of antlers, thought to be playing cards, some of
which bear Aramaic inscriptions (Fig. 13). The palace was
destroyed at the end of 1st Ct. BC, or somewhat later, and
seems to be linked with a nearby temple complex unearthed
between 1972 and 1982 within 3km of the hill. The complex
is believed to be a royal sanctuary of the kings of Iberia.
Hence the above palace may also be royal.

The archaeological expedition of the Centre for Archaeological

Studies (directed by V. Licheli) has recently begun the
exploration of two townships. One of them is located on the
territory of the moder village of Atsquri (Akhaltsikhe
district). The finds attest that the site was inhabited from the
5th Ct. BC-lst Ct. AD. A rich burial of the turn of the 4th-3rd
Ct. BC contains items made of gold, silver, bronze, cornelian
and glass. Lastly trial fieldwork in the village of Abastumani
(Adigeni district) has uncovered material belonging to the 3rd-
1st Ct. BC.

D. Kacharava
Centre for Archaeological Studies
Tblisi, Georgia

Fig. 13

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