Archaeology in Georgia 1980-1990 (Post-Prehistoric to Pre-Mediaeval)Author(s): D. KacharavaSource: Archaeological Reports, No. 37 (1990 - 1991), pp. 79-86Published by: The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic StudiesStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/581171Accessed: 13/11/2009 09:25

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Archaeological Reports 37, 1990-91, 79-86, Printed in Great Britain

ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-1990 (Post-prehistoric to pre-mediaeval)

The present information is an attempt to continue the report published in AR 1983-84. As distinct from that earlier one, this report surveys the work done by the Georgian archae- ological institutions in both the western and eastern parts of the Georgian Republic (Fig. 1). Large-scale investigations of the remains of the post-prehistoric to pre-mediaeval period were continued in Western Georgia (the area of ancient Colchis). Sites on the Black Sea coastal line have been intensively studied.

The Batumi Research Institute Expedition (directed by A. Kakhidze) continued excavations of the Pichvnari necropoleis, though on a small scale. Notable among the finds are Attic vases of the second quarter of the 5th Ct. BC (wg lekythoi of the Beldam Painter, a rf owl-skyphos). Also of interest is a burial with tiled roofing, almost completely robbed. (A. Kakhidze, 'A burial with tiled roofing', in Remains of South- Western Georgia, XII, Tbilisi 1983, 53-63; T. Sikharulidze, 'New specimens of Attic painted pottery from the Pichvnari necropolis', in Remains of South-Western Georgia, XVII, Tbilisi 1988, 62-71 - in Georgian, with summaries in Russian).

The collection of Attic painted pottery found in Pichvnari, a Sinopean drachma of c. 500 BC and a bronze jug of the mid- 5th Ct. BC have recently been discussed in Remains of South- Western Georgia, XVI, Tbilisi 1987, 44-46, 47-50, 51-108, (in Georgian, with Russian summaries).

Since 1984 the Kolkheti Archaeological Expedition of the Centre for Archeological Studies (directed by T. Mikeladze) has conducted fieldwork on the many-layered hill Mamuliebis

Gora, situated on the territory of the village of Ergeta (10km 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 type. The bulk of the archaeological finds is made up of pottery of local production, its closest analogies found in abundance in the Colchian settlements of the end-6th/5th Ct. BC. In addition to local pottery Greek amphorae and Egyptian scarabaei of the same date were also found. (Field Archaeo- logical Studies in 1984-1985, Tbilisi 1988, 39, plates XLVI- LII, in Russian).

Underwater surveys have been made in the vicinity of Poti (seaport - v. Grigoleti - Lake Paliastomi) by the hydroarch- aeological expedition organized by the Centre for Archae- ological Studies (directed by G. Gamkrelidze). Most important is the settlement of the 3rd-7th Ct. AD discovered in the NW part of Lake Paliastomi. The settlement is identified with the ruins of Phasis of the 3rd-7th Ct. AD, mentioned by several Byzantine authors. (G. Gamkrelidze, 'Hydroarchaeological survey in the area of ancient Phasis', in The Black Sea littoral in the 7th-5th Cts BC: Literary sources and archaeology (Problems of authenticity), Tbilisi 1990, 215-219).

Excavations (directed by S. Shamba) at the Ochamchire settlement, identified with the city of Gyenos (Ps-Scylax 81), were resumed by the Ochamchire Archaeological Expedition of the Abkhasian Institute of Language, Literature and History, of the Academy of Science, Georgian Republic. The object of study was again an artificial hill located in the E part of the settlement. A novelty in the recent excavations was the discovery of A pottery, including bf Attic vases, Ionian banded ware, Chian amphorae. (S.Shamba, Gyenos, I, Tbilisi, 1988, in Russian).

THE

Fig. 1

80 D. KACHARAVA

Fig. 2

Several sites were discovered both along the coastal line and in the hinterland by the archaeological expedition of the Centre for Archaeological Studies, directed by M. Baramidze.

In the village of Pichori (400m N of the sea coast) a settlement embracing 12 artificial mounds was brought to light, the central one 5m high, its diameter reaching 60m. Eight cultural layers were detected, covering the period from the last quarter of the 3rd mill. to the 4th-3rd Ct. BC. The material obtained is of considerable importance for studying the architecture, metallurgy, and various branches of handicraft in BA and IA Colchis. At the nearby necropolis, dated to the end-7th/beginning-5th Ct. BC, one collective pit-grave was studied, evidently a secondary burial. The pit was encircled by a pebble stone 'ring', with traces of the funerary feast detect- able. The Jvaralebi and Nakargali settlements were uncovered 2km and 4km respectively to the N of the above site. The former contained H material, while the latter proved to have been settled from the MBA up to the A period inclusively.

Excavations of the Gudava dune settlement have turned up three construction periods datable to the 8th-6th Ct. BC. A settlement containing materials of the same period has been discovered in the SW part of the village of Gagilo (Gali district). Archaeological data provided by the study of the Abazhu settlement, recorded on the territory of the village of Pirveli Gali (Gali district), belongs to the H, C and PC periods. A lodging cut in the ground with an area exceeding 1000m2 is worth noting. It is hypothesized that this construc- tion was connected with cult rites. The Shesheleti settlement (Gali district) has yielded archaeological finds of the H period, as well as of the 8th-7th Ct. BC.

A site of the 1st mill. BC was uncovered in the SE part of the village of Tamishi (Ochamchire district), 200m N of the sea coast. The settlement represents a complex of artificial hills connected by a system of canals. A necropolis on the

territory of the village Balan (Ochamchire district) is worth noting, though very damaged by agricultural activities. It is dated from the end-4th/first half of the 3rd Ct. BC. Among the burials, one containing an Attic-type helmet, iron weapons (arrowheads, spearheads, axes) and gold ornaments (bracelets, plaques, rings, buttons) deserves special attention.

An expedition from the Centre of Archaeological Studies (directed by G. Lordkipanidze) continued work at Bichvinta, 58 km N of Sukhumi. The R-Byz city site, brought to light here many years ago, is identified with the Pityus of ancient authors (Strabo, XI, 2, 14; Plin., NH, VI, 16; Arrian, Periplus Ponti Euxini, 17; Anon. PPE, 14 and others). In the period under discussion excavation has been largely confined to the necropolis of the 2nd-4th Ct AD. Pit-graves, amphora-graves and burials constructed of tiles were identified, and finds included a silver arm-band with the representation of Fortuna- Tyche (Fig. 2). Their connection with the R provincial world is attested by the character of the burial goods as well as by the burial ritual (individual inhumations in extended pose, facing either E or W). The habit of covering burials with concrete layers is thought to be of practical rather than religious purpose.

The archaeological explorations of 1980-1990 also embraced sites of the inner part of Colchis. The Vani archaeological Expedition (directed by O. Lordkipanidze) carried out a complex study of the Vani city site proper and its urbanized zone. Field-explorations were continued on all terraces of the site. On the lower terrace a new trench with an area of 600m2 has been cut along the NE facade of the temple architectural complex of the 2nd-lst Ct. BC which was studied in previous years. In the area immediately adjoining the complex, rem- nants of a ruined mud-brick structure were unearthed. The continuation of the ritual ditch, crossing the central building of

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 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 was a cult complex of the 4th-3rd Ct. BC, containing a ritual ground paved with pebbles, a cult ditch cut in the rocky ground, and a structure built of limestone blocks (jeweller's workshop?). The cultural layer of the 2nd-lst Ct. BC, dam- aged by medieval burials, was also studied.

A burial of the second half of the 4th Ct. BC was uncovered in the E part of this terrace. The grave goods feature Colchian clay vessels, a bronze phiale and two Col- chian triobols. Jewellery includes gold necklaces with crescent pendants, as well as earrings with miniature sculptural repre- sentations of birds.

Fig. 4

The most outstanding finds made recently at Vani were on the E slope of the central terrace. Resting on the debris of structures destroyed in the mid-lst Ct. BC, a truncated life- sized bronze statue of a youth was discovered (Fig. 4). It is badly damaged, with the head, arms, and legs below the knees missing. The torso is tentatively attributed to the circle of the so-called classicising monuments of the H period, oriented to the Severe style (O. Lordkipanidze, 'A new find in Vani (Preliminary report)', Vestnik drevnei istorii, 1989, N 3, 178- 182). Several fragments of other bronze sculptures were found close by, including female hands, a knee and gilded inlays. Besides these, special attention attaches to several niches cut

82 D. KACHARAVA

in the rocky ground and containing materials of the 3rd-2nd Ct. BC (Colchian amphorae and tableware, golden beads, frag- ments of terracotta statues). To the same period belongs also a roadway paved with sandstone slabs.

Bronze statuettes of a man (18cm high) and a woman (16cm) were unearthed in the E part of the upper terrace. Both statuettes lay face down in pits cut in the rocky ground. They are decorated with golden torques, bracelets, earrings and wreaths. The finds belong to the 3rd Ct. BC (D. Kacharava, 'Bronze statuettes from the ancient city site of Vani', Dzeglis Megobari, 63, Tbilisi 1983, 33-34, in Georgian, with sum- maries in Russian and English). One of the novelties dis- covered in the recent Vani excavations was a jar-burial (i.e. burial in a pithos) dated to the first half of the 3rd Ct. BC.

The Vani archaeological expedition also continued the investigation of the surrounding area. According to the evidence provided by archaeological excavations on the Sakakile hill near the village of Sulori (16km from Vani) there existed a settlement in the 8th-4th Ct. BC. Worth noting among the casual finds from Sulori are a Colchian bronze axe of the 7th Ct. BC, ornamented with figures of riders, and a hoard of silver coins, consisting largely of Colchian triobols (Fig. 5).

For the results of the recent archaeological excavations at Vani see: Vani: Archaeological Excavations, VIII, Tbilisi, 1986 (in Georgian, with summaries in Russian). The 5th volume of the same series is. dedicated to the local pottery of the 6th-4th Ct. BC, while the Colchian jewellery and the Greek imports are discussed in the 6th and 7th volumes respectively.

The archaeological expedition of the Centre for Archaeological Studies (directed by V. Japaridze) has begun work at Shora- pani, identified with Sarapanis - a significant fortress on the eastern border of Colchis, mentioned by Strabo (Geogr. XI,3,4;

XI,11,17), as well as by Byzantine authors (Procop., BP, 12, 11,29; BG, VIII, 13,16; Menandr. Prot., fr. 1; Just., Nov. XXX 1- XXX 11). According to the ancient Georgian literary sources Shorapani fortress was founded by King Paravaz, the first king of Iberia (eastern Georgia).

The fortress appears to have consisted of two main parts: the lower town, situated on a promontory at the confluence of the Rivers Dzirula and Qvirila, and the upper citadel located on a rocky hilltop. The main object of study was the medieval fortress where cultural layers of the closing centuries BC were uncovered, as well as fragments of stone masonry dating to the lst-2nd Ct. AD. Of special interest is the discovery of a fragmentary layer containing sherds of Colchian pottery dated to the 6th-4th Ct. BC. The lower town has been only partly studied archaeologically. The earliest layer unearthed there belongs to the H period. In the area occupied today by a moder settlement (to the E of the medieval fortress) excava- tions revealed a Colchian site dating from the 6th-4th Ct. BC. The site also yielded LH remains as well as those of the 4th- 6th Ct. AD and even later times. (V. Japaridze, 'On the archaeological study of Sarapanis-Shorapani', Dzeglis Mego- bari, N 63, Tbilisi 1983, 49-54, in Georgian, with a summary in Russian; V. Japaridze, New archaeological data on Shora- pani (Sarapanis) in the antique period, Tbilisi 1990, in English).

The Georgian State Museum of Arts renewed work in the upper reaches of the River Qvirila. Archaeological explora- tions (directed by J. Nadiradze) have shown that this region was densely populated in the 1st mill. BC. Approximately 40 settlements have been brought to light in an area with a radius of 80km, to the N of the town of Sachkhere. The Sairkhe settlement is the largest among them, occupying an area of 70ha. The excavations were carried out on Sabaduri hill,

Fig. 5

ARCHAEOLOGY IN GEORGIA 1980-90 83

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).

Fig. 7

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

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.

......

i

W

84 D. KACHARAVA

Fig. 8

i/P2I - 1986

Fig. 9

The Dzalisi city site is situated near Mtskheta, in the vicinity of the modem village of Dzalisi. It is identified with the town of the same name mentioned by Ptolemy (Geogr., III,1). Long-standing excavations have been conducted here by the Centre for Archaeological Studies expedition (directed by A. Bokhochadze). In the period under review emphasis has been on the study of the lower town, where a palace with an atrium, a swimming pool, a structure with apses, and a peristyle palace have been unearthed. Occupying an area of 2500m2, the palace with the atrium consists of more than 30 halls and rooms of 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

own systems of sewage and water-supply. The swimming pool (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 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- ment. The earliest necropolis came to light near the village of Enageti (end 5th-4th Ct. BC), revealing 17 burials - largely cist-type. Notable is the discovery of a glass kohl-tube in one of the burials (Fig. 11). At the Papigora necropolis (1.5km W of the village of Asureti) 79 burials were excavated. These are mostly cist-burials, but several pit-graves and a jar-burial were also found. As a rule, the interments are individual inhumations. The burial inventory is not rich, consisting of pottery, bronze ornaments and beads; silver ornaments and iron weapons are extremely rare. The necropolis is dated to the 4th/first half of the 3rd Ct. BC.

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

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