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- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- The archaeological site of Vani lies in the northern foothills of the lower Caucasus at the edge of the Phasis River plain, approximately 35 km southwest of Kutaisi and 4 km due south of the present-day course of the river. The site as excavated occupies a steep-sided hillock overlooking the left (west) bank of the Sulori River, a tributary of the Phasis. The hillock rises at its highest point to an elevation of 167 m asl, about 120 m above the plain below. As defined by its late Hellenistic fortification walls, the site occupies an area of approximately 6 ha, spread over three terraces (known as the Lower, Middle, and Upper Terraces). The site has been very extensively explored, but approximately 4 ha or two-thirds of the fortified area is still occupied by modern house plots and remains to be investigated. Vani is one of the most intensively studied archaeological sites in Colchis. Research at the site is ongoing and includes excavation and palaeoethnobotanical studies. Excavations have revealed a continuous occupation sequence extending from the 8th to the 1st centuries B.C. There is also some limited evidence for habitation in the Roman and Mediaeval periods. Especially notable are the rich and unusual graves of the Classical period (6th to 4th centuries), the monumental stone architecture of the Hellenistic period (3rd to 1st centuries), and the extensive evidence for interaction with the Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds, including not only commercial and luxury imports (Greek transport amphorae, fine bronze and silver utensils from both the Greek world and Persia), but also local production of bronze sculpture and one long Greek bronze inscription. Half a century of scientific excavation has produced a detailed model of the history of the site, and generated a rich series of hypotheses about its purpose and function in different periods. One of the more enigmatic features of Vani as currently understood is the very limited evidence for residential occupation at any time. Subjects of special interest include the regional significance of Vani in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, the nature of relations between this area and the Greek world, and the history of the region in Roman times. While it is clear that Vani was an unusually large and complex site in the 1st millennium B.C., it is less certain that it exercised the kinds of administrative control over local settlement and economic control over local commerce that have sometimes been attributed to it on the model of a Greek town. The purpose of the regional survey project begun in 2009 is to address these subjects by integrating existing knowledge about Vani and its environs into the kind of technological and conceptual framework characteristic of contemporary American survey archaeology. Of particular importance is the use of Geographic information Systems (GIS) as an organizational and analytical tool, and geophysical prospection both in the immediate environs of Vani and at regional sites. In 2009 the survey project investigated an area just outside the archaeological site of Vani to the south using two methods of geophysical prospection, electrical resistivity and magnetic survey. In 2010 excavations were carried out in one of these areas, Area B (B001).
- Keyword:
- Early Hellenistic, Iron Age, Classical, Late Hellenistic, Hoard, Settlement, Sanctuary, Roman, Burial, Fortification, and Mediaeval
- Citation to related publication:
- Archaeological remains at Vani were known as early as the 1850s, and the first report on assemblages found at the site was produced in 1880. First formal excavations began in 1896, but lasted only a few years. Stray finds of gold jewellery were reported in 1929 and 1940. A new intensive program of survey and excavation was carried intermittently from 1936 to 1946. In 1947, the Vani Archaeological Expedition was established. It was first led by Nino Khostaria (until 1963). Otar Lordkipanidze directed the activities from 1966 until 2002, and was succeeded by Darejan Kacharava after his death in 2002. Active excavations at the site concluded in 2007. Bibliography below is not exhaustive; rather, it lists major volumes on the archaeology of Vani. For a complete list of works published until 1995, see Vani IX volume (1996)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1972. Vani I. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi (1947-1969) [Vani I. Archaeological excavations (1947-1969)], vol. I. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1976. Vani II. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani II. Archaeological excavations], vol. II. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1977. Vani III. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani III. Archaeological excavations], vol. III. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian summaries.), Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1979. Vani IV. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani IV. Archaeological excavations], vol. IV. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian and English summaries)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1981. Vani V. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani V. Archaeological excavations], vol. VI. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian and English summaries)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1981. Vani VI. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani VI. Archaeological excavations], vol. VI. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian and English summaries)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1983. Vani VII. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani VII. Archaeological excavations], vol. VII. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian summaries)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, ed. 1986. Vani VIII. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani VIII. Archaeological excavations], vol. VIII. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with Russian summaries)., Lordkipanidze, Otar, Darejan Kacharava, and Arrian Chanturia. 1996. Vani IX. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi [Vani IX. (Archaeological excavations: Analytical bibliography: 1850-1995)]. Tbilisi. (Parallel texts in Georgian and English.), Lordkipanidze, Otar and Pierre Lévêque. Eds. 1996. Sur les traces des Argonautes. Actes du 6e symposium de Vani (Colchide) 22-29 septembre 1990, edited and translated by A. Fraysse, E. Geny and T. Khartchilava. Paris : Diffusé par les belles letters., Lordkipanidze, Otar and Pierre Lévêque. Eds.1999. La mer Noire, zone de contacts : actes du VIIe Symposium de Vani (Colchide), 26-30 IX 1994. Besançon: Presses universitaires franc-comtoises. , Lordkipanidze, Otar and Pierre Lévêque. Eds.1999. Religions du Pont-Euxin : actes du VIIIe Symposium de Vani, Colchide, 1997. Translated and edited by Arlette Fraysse et Évelyne Geny. Paris : Diffusé par Les Belles letters., Lordkipanidze, Otar. 2000. Phasis. The River and City in Colchis. Geographica Historica 15. Stuttgart: Steiner., Faudot, M., Fraysse, A. and É. Geny, eds. 2002. Pont-Euxin et commerce : la genèse de la Route de la soie : actes du IXe Symposium de Vani, Colchide, 1999. Besançon: Presses universitaires franc-comtoises., Kacharava,Darejan, Faudot, M. and E. Geny, eds. 2002. Autour de la Mer Noire: Hommage á Otar Lordkipanidze. Besançon : Presses universitaires franc-comtoises., Kacharava,Darejan, Faudot, M. and E. Geny. Eds. 2005. Pont-Euxin et Polis. Polis Hellenis et Polis Barbaron. Actes du Xe Symposium de Vani 23-26 septembre 2002: hommage à Otar Lordkipanidzé et Pierre Lévêque. Besançon: Presses universitaires Franc- Comtoises., and Kacharava, Darejan, Guram Kvirkvelia, and Jennifer Chi. 2008. Wine, Worship, and Sacrifice: the Golden Graves of Ancient Vani. Princeton: Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, in association with Princeton University Press.
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- In 2009, an American-Georgian team of four archaeologists, four archaeology students, and a geophysicist carried out a four-week season of “extensive” survey of known archaeological sites, together with geophysical prospection at selected locations. In a second four-week season in 2010, with the additions of a geologist and an archaeobotanist, we continued our program of documentation of known sites and of exploratory geophysical prospection, and we also carried out limited test excavations at a number of sites. We returned for a shorter (one- to two-week) study seasons in 2011 and 2014, focusing on museum and archival research in Vani, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi., The area covered by our survey extends 15 km both east and west of Vani, and as far as 10 km south of Vani, from the Phasis River plain at approximately 50 m above sea level to the lower slopes of the lesser Caucasus, at approximately 1000 m above sea level. The purpose of the program was to visit all the previously identified archaeological sites in the region, and to integrate existing knowledge into a database of sites and a Geographical Information System. Each entry into this database is recorded as a dataset in this deposit. Entries recorded in 2009 are prefaced with the letter “A,” those recorded in 2010 are prefaced with the letter “B.” A single entry added in 2011 received the preface, “C.” In carrying out the survey, we depended heavily on the unpublished dissertation by Sulkhan Kharabadze, “Vanis Qveq’nis” Arqeologiuri Ruk’a (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) – Archaeological Map of the Territory of Vani (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD) (Ph.D. dissertation: Georgian Technical University 2008). A map showing the locations of all the sites recorded by the survey is attached to this dataset., Our procedure for each site visit was as follows: we drove to the nearest village and searched out a local guide who could take us to the place we wished to see. We drove as far as we could to each site, then got out and walked, using GPS-equipped field computers (Trimble Geo-XM) to make a continuous record of our path. We recorded the lay of the land and any artifacts we saw en route (pottery sherds, traces of burnt daub, lithics and stone objects, architectural features in situ). We designated as points of interest any significant archaeological remains (concentrations of pottery, in situ features, notable stray finds, etc.), and every place we could identify where earlier discoveries had been made or archaeological excavations carried out. For every point of interest, we recorded the latitude, longitude, and elevation; took a series of digital photographs; and made a grab bag collection of pottery and other finds if possible. Where appropriate, we took basic measurements of architectural features (e.g., of Mediaeval towers). We also kept records of local place names, the names of our local guides, and any miscellaneous information they gave us. , Certain sites were selected for further investigation. These included Saqanchia A001, where we carried our geophysical survey and limited excavation; Shuamta, Melashvilebisgora A033, where we also carried out geophysical survey and limited excavation; Kveda Bzvani A047, where we carried out controlled collection of surface finds; and Zeda Bzvani, Meskhebisgora, A053, where we also carried out controlled collection of surface finds., The datasets recorded in this deposit include basic descriptions of each site, citations to previous publications, and links to relevant maps, photographs, and drawings. Where they exist, maps for individual datasets are labeled according to the name and number of the site, e.g., DapnariA002Map.jpg. The labels for photographs taken during the field season record their numbers in the sequence of photographs taken that season, e.g., Vani09.0047.jpg. A complete list of all photographs recorded in this way is available for download. Photographs and drawings of artifacts from individual sites made after the season are labeled with the names of the sites followed by the numbers assigned to the objects, with photographs saved as jpeg files, and drawings saved as tiff files; thus KvedaBzvani11-14.jpg is a photograph of objects 11-14 from the site of KvedaBzvani, while KvedaBzvani11-14.tif is a set of drawings of the same objects. Finally, drawings of sites where excavations were carried out are labeled with the name of the site, the number of the trench (if applicable), and the type of drawing, so that Shuamta2010.1Plan is a plan of Trench 2010.1 at Shuamta., and In addition, the collections in this deposit group datasets together according to important characteristics such as period (Bronze Age, Iron Age, etc.) or type (settlement, fortification, burial, and so on).
- Citation to related publication:
- Kharabadze, S.(2008). “Vanis Qveq’nis” Arqeologiuri Ruk’a (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) – Archaeological Map of the Territory of Vani (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD). (Ph.D. dissertation).Georgian Technical University.
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- Area B occupies a northeast-southwest oriented, peninsula-like area south of the ancient site of Vani at an elevation of 100 masl. It is bordered on its northwest and southeast sides by gorges through which run perennial streams. Following the initial recommendation of Sulkhan Kharabadze, the area was deemed appropriate for geophysical survey because it was a large plot of accessible, open pasture; it was close to the ancient site of Vani; and ancient features had been reported in the vicinity, including a wall of large blocks of dressed sandstone on the southeast side of the peninsula and pithoi on the northwest side. In 2009 geophysical survey of an area of approximately 3000 sq m (three complete 30 x 30 m survey units, and two partial units) was completed; the entire area was covered with the gradiometer and two of the 30 x 30 m units with the resistivity meter. In the northeast survey unit, the gradiometer revealed a U-shaped rectangular feature, oriented southeast-northwest, and approximately 15 m long and 10 m wide. Centered within this feature was a smaller rectangular feature. Resistivity survey revealed the outlines of this feature as low-resistivity anomalies, suggesting that they were not built out of stone but of some other material such as wood or mudbrick. In 2010 two trenches in Area B (B2010.1 and B2010.2) were opened. The purpose of excavation was to investigate the anomalies revealed by the geophysical survey of 2009. Both anomalies turned out to be natural, and neither trench revealed ancient features of any kind, although the topsoil in both trenches contained a scatter of sherds and tiles. The stone wall and attested pithoi are probably late (Mediaeval or modern), but pottery and tiles provide evidence for activity of the 1st millennium B.C. in Area B.
- Keyword:
- 1st Millennium BCE
- Citation to related publication:
- No archaeological work has previously been conducted in this particular area of the site.
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- The southeastern hill investigated at Kveda Bzvani actually belongs to the village of Zeda Bzvani to the southeast, but because it is much closer to the complex of sites recorded in Kveda Bzvani (A047, A048, A049) than to the other points of interest identified in Zeda Bzvani (A052, A053), we have grouped it with the former. The hill is occupied by a church and modern cemetery, but ancient pottery is visible in many places on the top and sides of the hill. Of particular interest were large fragments of a Colchian amphora on the southern slope of the hill, and a significant quantity of pottery visible in the slumped scarp of a modern grave plot on the southwestern side of the hill. According to local informants, objects such as bracelets from pithos burials found in this area are now held in the Kutaisi Museum.
- Keyword:
- Classical, Hellenistic, and Settlement
- Citation to related publication:
- Surveys were carried out here in 1936, 1978, 1984, ans 2008. Stray finds were reported here in 1925, 1936, and 1977., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 150-51, pl. II, 2. (In Russian.), Lordkipanidze, O. D., R. V. Puturidze, D. D. Kacharava, V. A Tolordava, M. S. Pirtskhalava, A. M. Chqonia, N. N. Matiashvili, D. V. Akhvlediani, G. Sh. Naridze, and G. A. Inauri. 1987. Raboty Vanskoi ekspeditsii [Work of the Vani archaeological expedition]. Polevye arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v 1984-85 godakh [Field archaeological investigations in 1984-85]. Tbilisi. p. 55. (In Russian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 21-23. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- The modern settlement of Zeda Bzvani lies in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus east of Vani, approximately 4 km south of the main east-west road on the south side of the Phasis River plain, and approximately 1 km west of Inashauri (A054). The village is located in the Vani administrative district. We identified six points of interest. On the eastern edge of the village is a hill called Meskhebisgora, which is crowned by the remains of a fortress built of mortared rubble masonry (A052), and has pottery scattered across the agricultural fields on its southwestern slopes (A053). Local informants in Inashauri said that there was a tunnel from the fortress on Meskhebisgora to Inashauri (A054, A055, A056). Pottery noted on a hill to the northwest with a church and modern cemetery (A050) is technically part of Zeda Bzvani, but because it is so close to the sites in Kveda Bzvani mentioned above, the hill has been grouped with the latter.
- Keyword:
- Modern Settlement
- Citation to related publication:
- Surveys were carried out here in 1936, 1978, 1984, ans 2008. Stray finds were reported here in 1925, 1936, and 1977., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 150-51, pl. II, 2. (In Russian.), Lordkipanidze, O. D., R. V. Puturidze, D. D. Kacharava, V. A Tolordava, M. S. Pirtskhalava, A. M. Chqonia, N. N. Matiashvili, D. V. Akhvlediani, G. Sh. Naridze, and G. A. Inauri. 1987. Raboty Vanskoi ekspeditsii [Work of the Vani archaeological expedition]. Polevye arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v 1984-85 godakh [Field archaeological investigations in 1984-85]. Tbilisi. p. 55. (In Russian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 21-23. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- On the eastern edge of Zeda Bzvani is a hill called Meskhebisgora, which is crowned by the remains of a fortress built of mortared rubble set in hard, white mortar and faced with limestone slabs. The fortress, densely overgrown and very difficult of access, appears to be rectilinear in plan, with at least one tower incorporated into its exterior circuit on the west side. The tower is approximately 5 meters wide with large blocks forming its lower courses and a small window on one side. On top of the hill inside the fortress is a deep circular structure, possibly a cistern. Local informants in Inashauri said that there was a tunnel running from the fortress on Meskhebisgora to Inashauri (A054, A055, A056).
- Keyword:
- Fortification, Mediaeval, and 16th-17th century CE
- Citation to related publication:
- Surveys were carried out here in 1936, 1978, 1984, ans 2008. Stray finds were reported here in 1925, 1936, and 1977., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 150-51, pl. II, 2. (In Russian.), Lordkipanidze, O. D., R. V. Puturidze, D. D. Kacharava, V. A Tolordava, M. S. Pirtskhalava, A. M. Chqonia, N. N. Matiashvili, D. V. Akhvlediani, G. Sh. Naridze, and G. A. Inauri. 1987. Raboty Vanskoi ekspeditsii [Work of the Vani archaeological expedition]. Polevye arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v 1984-85 godakh [Field archaeological investigations in 1984-85]. Tbilisi. p. 55. (In Russian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 21-23. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- The agricultural fields on the southwest slope of the hill crowned by a Mediaeval fortress on the eastern edge of Zeda Bzvani (Meskhebisgora, A052) are rich in surface pottery, including Classical pithos fragments, Sinopian ware, and late Hellenistic ware.
- Keyword:
- Classical, Late Hellenistic, and Settlement
- Citation to related publication:
- Surveys were carried out here in 1936, 1978, 1984, ans 2008. Stray finds were reported here in 1925, 1936, and 1977., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 150-51, pl. II, 2. (In Russian.), Lordkipanidze, O. D., R. V. Puturidze, D. D. Kacharava, V. A Tolordava, M. S. Pirtskhalava, A. M. Chqonia, N. N. Matiashvili, D. V. Akhvlediani, G. Sh. Naridze, and G. A. Inauri. 1987. Raboty Vanskoi ekspeditsii [Work of the Vani archaeological expedition]. Polevye arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v 1984-85 godakh [Field archaeological investigations in 1984-85]. Tbilisi. p. 55. (In Russian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 21-23. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- The modern settlement of Zeda Gora lies 15 km southeast of Vani, and 3.5 km south of the main east-west road on the south side of the Phasis River plain. It is located in the Vani administrative district. It is nestled in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus, south of the long, low terrace that overlooks the Phasis River plain east of Vani. On the southwestern edge of the settlement is located a hill called Natsikhvarisgora, with remains of an Iron Age settlement on its eastern slope (A064) and of a fortress called Natatralitsike on its summit (A065). In addition, a Roman pit grave was excavated on the northern slope of a hill in the northwestern part of the village (A066).
- Keyword:
- Modern Settlement
- Citation to related publication:
- Metal objects were found by chance in the general area of Zeda and Kveda Gora in 1945. Extensive surveys were carried out in 1999-2001 and an excavation of a pit grave was conducted in 2003., Koridze, D. 1965. Dzolkhuri dzulturis istoriisatvis. Tbilisi. pp. 15-16, 107-108. (In Georgian)., Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 28-30, fig. 21-5, 110-118. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2003. Akh. ts. I-II ss-is samarkhi sopel Zeda Goradan (Vanis r-ni) [The 1st-2nd cent. A.D. grave from the village of Zeda Gora (Vani district)]. Iberia-kolkheti, No. 1. Dziebani, Damatebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 164-169. (In Georgian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 11-14. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- On the northern slope of Gachechiladzeebis Ubani, a hill on the northwestern edge of Zeda Gora, a Roman pit grave was excavated by Sulkhan Kharabadze in an agricultural plot owned by Paata Gachechiladze. The grave was exposed when the owner cut into the hillslope to create a terrace for growing tomatoes. It is dated to the 1st-3rd century A.D. by its grave goods, which included an iron sword, a number of iron arrowheads, an iron axe, a bronze bracelet, and a ceramic jug and phiale.
- Keyword:
- Roman and Burial
- Citation to related publication:
- Metal objects were found by chance in the general area of Zeda and Kveda Gora in 1945. Extensive surveys were carried out in 1999-2001 and an excavation of a pit grave was conducted in 2003., Koridze, D. 1965. Dzolkhuri dzulturis istoriisatvis. Tbilisi. pp. 15-16, 107-108. (In Georgian)., Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 28-30, fig. 21-5, 110-118. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2003. Akh. ts. I-II ss-is samarkhi sopel Zeda Goradan (Vanis r-ni) [The 1st-2nd cent. A.D. grave from the village of Zeda Gora (Vani district)]. Iberia-kolkheti, No. 1. Dziebani, Damatebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 164-169. (In Georgian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 11-14. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
-
- Creator:
- Vani Archaeological Survey
- Description:
- On the southwestern edge of Zeda Gora lies a hill known as Natsikhvarisgora, with the remains of a fortress called Natatralitsike on its summit. The fortress consists of a rectangular structure or enclosure on the top of the hill, with a well preserved tower including an interior postern at its southwest corner (the northwest corner of the fortress is curved on the exterior). There is a gate on the south side of the enclosure, and there are two preserved windows on the north side. In the center of the enclosure are the poorly reserved remains of some kind of interior structure or keep. The lower parts of the walls of the fortress are built of large ashlar foundation blocks, about 0.7 m wide by 0.5 m high, topped by rubble masonry with smaller, irregularly shaped stones widely ranging in size, set in hard white mortar. In most places, even this upper facing has been removed, exposing the mortared rubble core of the walls. The walls are roughly 2.5 m thick, while the preserved height of one of the standing segments is 5.1 m.
- Keyword:
- Fortification, Mediaeval, and 16th-17th century CE
- Citation to related publication:
- Metal objects were found by chance in the general area of Zeda and Kveda Gora in 1945. Extensive surveys were carried out in 1999-2001 and an excavation of a pit grave was conducted in 2003., Koridze, D. 1965. Dzolkhuri dzulturis istoriisatvis. Tbilisi. pp. 15-16, 107-108. (In Georgian)., Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 28-30, fig. 21-5, 110-118. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2003. Akh. ts. I-II ss-is samarkhi sopel Zeda Goradan (Vanis r-ni) [The 1st-2nd cent. A.D. grave from the village of Zeda Gora (Vani district)]. Iberia-kolkheti, No. 1. Dziebani, Damatebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 164-169. (In Georgian.), and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveqnis” Arqeologiuri Ruka (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.) [Archaeological Map of the “Vani Region” (8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)]. Tsardgenilia Doqtoris Akademiuri Khariskhis Mosapoveblad. Saqartvelos Teqnikuri Universiteti. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqtemberi. p. 11-14. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
- Discipline:
- Social Sciences and Humanities