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  • Zeda Bzvani A050

    work
    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

  • Zeda Bzvani A051

    work
    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

  • Zeda Bzvani, Meskhebisgora A052

    work
    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

  • Zeda Bzvani, Meskhebisgora A053

    work
    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

  • Inashauri A054

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Inashauri lies in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus within the valley of the Kvintsqali, 14 km 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 east of Zeda Bzvani. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. On the southwestern edge of the village, Jemal Futkaradze reported finding pithoi in the yard of his house (A055), and in the 1970s, Bejan Genelidze found a bronze figurine (the “tamada”) in his vineyard, which still exhibits abundant surface pottery (A056). Local informants in Inashauri said that there was a tunnel from the fortress on Meskhebisgora (A052) to Inashauri. A church with sculpted figural decoration (B017) and the findspot of a Roman grave (B018) are also located in the modern village of Inashauri.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Early research at Inashauri reported a number of stray finds discovered in 1926. Graves were discovered here by chance in 1958 and 1978., Ivashchenko, M. 1941. Materialyi k izucheniiu kulyturyi kolkhov. Mski, No. 2. Tbilisi. pp. 8-10. (In Russian.) , Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 35, fig. 32. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2007. “Wine Drinker” from Inashauri Village (Vani district). Dziebani 17-18. Tbilisi. pp. 145-50. (In Georgian with an English summary.), 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. 27-29. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Inashauri A055

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Jemal Futkaradze occupies a house overlooking the Phasis River plain in the village of Inashauri. When his father was building his wine cellar in the yard outside the house (i.e., digging pits in which to bury modern pithoi), he found ancient pithos graves containing pottery and jewelry. Jemal Futkaradze has also found bones about 0.20-25 m below the current ground surface, and he believes that the raised earth in his yard may cover the foundations of a structure. In addition, he and other local informants said that there was a tunnel running from the fortress on Meskhebisgora (A052) to this part of Inashauri.
    Keyword:
    1st Millennium BCE and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    Early research at Inashauri reported a number of stray finds discovered in 1926. Graves were discovered here by chance in 1958 and 1978., Ivashchenko, M. 1941. Materialyi k izucheniiu kulyturyi kolkhov. Mski, No. 2. Tbilisi. pp. 8-10. (In Russian.), Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 35, fig. 32. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2007. “Wine Drinker” from Inashauri Village (Vani district). Dziebani 17-18. Tbilisi. pp. 145-50. (In Georgian with an English summary.), 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. 27-29. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Inashauri A056

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Bejan Genelidze found a bronze figurine dated to the 8th-7th century B.C. in his vineyard, which is published by Sulkhan Kharabadze (2007) and currently at the Georgia National Museum (the famous “tamada”). We collected various 1st millennium B.C. pottery from the same field.
    Keyword:
    Iron Age, Classical, Settlement, and Stray Find
    Citation to related publication:
    Early research at Inashauri reported a number of stray finds discovered in 1926. Graves were discovered here by chance in 1958 and 1978., Ivashchenko, M. 1941. Materialyi k izucheniiu kulyturyi kolkhov. Mski, No. 2. Tbilisi. pp. 8-10. (In Russian.), Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 35, fig. 32. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2007. “Wine Drinker” from Inashauri Village (Vani district). Dziebani 17-18. Tbilisi. pp. 145-50. (In Georgian with an English summary.), 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. 27-29. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta A057

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Phereta lies 16 km southeast of Vani and 4.5 km south of the main east-west road on the south side of the Phasis River plain. The village 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. The settlement includes a house where the coin of a Parthian king was found in 1954 (A058); a house (belonging to the Latchqebiani family) where a pit grave and much pottery has been found (A059); and an area to the south known as Serisdziri, in which a Medieval settlement (A060), an Iron Age settlement (A061), and a Roman pit grave (A062) have been identified.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta A058

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    In 1954 Qishvardi Shikvaidze found a coin of Parthian king Orodes II (57-37 B.C.) in the yard of his house on the southern slope of a hill at the western edge of the modern settlement of Phereta. The coin, now held in the Vani Archaeological Museum, is from a Roman pit grave and indicates a date in the 1st or 2nd century A.D. The daughter-in-law of Shikvaidze currently lives in the house.
    Keyword:
    Stray Find and Roman
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta A059

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    There is abundant evidence for Iron Age to Hellenistic occupation on the property of the Latchqebiani family on the eastern side of the modern village of Phereta. The Latchqebiani house is located on the northern slope of a small hill oriented east-west and extending westwards from a larger chain of hills. In the yard in front of the house, members of the family have found bones as well as metal bracelets and other metal fragments. Sulkhan Kharabadze suggests that these materials probably came from one or more pit graves, since no pithos fragments were found with them. This would indicate a date in or after the 2nd-1st century B.C., when pithos burials were replaced by pit graves in this region. Substantial quantities of pottery and bones were also found in a vineyard on the southern slope of the hill, behind the house. Sergo Latchqebiani had collected many sherds, which he showed us, including a zoomorphic handle (8th-7th century B.C.), a hatched pitharion rim (6th-4th century B.C.), a body fragment from a black-glazed plate (4th century B.C.?), a Hellenistic tile fragment, various pithos and pitharion fragments, a brick (11 cm wide by 5 m thick) with an V-shaped impression, some obsidian flakes, and a stone cannon ball 12-13 cm in diameter. On the southern slope of the hill above the vineyard are located the remains of a wall, possibly part of a terrace, built of limestone, sandstone, and other materials but with no trace of mortar. The wall is preserved to a length of 3 m. Its date is uncertain.
    Keyword:
    Iron Age, Classical, Late Hellenistic, and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta, Serisdziri, Prasoula Hill A060

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Phereta includes an area called Serisdziri, which itself includes a smaller area called Gverda. In the general region of Gverda is a hill oriented east-west known as Prasoula Hill, after the regionally specific variant of corn grown along its slopes. On the northwest side of this hill, we recorded a surface scatter of Mediaeval pottery, as well as an in situ pithos set in lime mortar. Similar fragments of pithoi set in lime mortar were found to the east and to the west along the hillslopes, suggesting the existence of a Medieval settlement on the hill.
    Keyword:
    Settlement and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta, Serisdziri, Prasoula Hill A061

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Phereta includes an area called Serisdziri, which itself includes a smaller area called Gverda. In the general region of Gverda is a hill oriented east-west known as Prasoula Hill, after the regionally specific variant of corn grown along its slopes. On the north-northwest side of this hill, we recorded a surface scatter of Iron Age pottery and fragments of burnt mud plaster (in an agricultural plot owned by a man named Devidze, A060). Iron Age pottery has also been found on the northeastern side of the hill (by Sulkhan Kharabadze).
    Keyword:
    Iron Age, Classical, and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Phereta, Serisdziri A062

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    In addition to the surface scatters on the slopes of Prasoula Hill, antiquities previously found at Serisdziri and studied by Sulkhan Kharabadze include a Roman pit grave, exposed in the southern bank of a stream running through the area. The grave is dated to the 1st century B.C. or later by a coin of Polemon I. The owner of the plot in which the pit grave was found is Paata Arveladze. Also in this area, along the northern base of Prasoula Hill in the general area known as Gverda, Sulkhan Kharabadze had previously found a Late Roman amphora toe. During our visit in 2009, we recorded fragments of a Medieval pithos set in lime mortar as well as a stone mortar fragment (0.04 m thick).
    Keyword:
    Roman and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds from Phereta were reported in 1954. Short surveys followed in 1998 and 2005., Abramishvili, T. 1974. Sakartvelos sakhelmtsipo muzeumis p’artuli monetebis katarogi. Tbilisi. p. 101. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2002. Bvianantikuri khanis samarkhi Peretadan. Dziebani IX. Tbilisi. pp. 81-87. (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. 37-40. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Zeda Gora A063

    work
    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

  • Zeda Gora, Natsikhvarisgora A064

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    On the southwestern edge of Zeda Gora is located a hill called Natsikhvarisgora. On the northeast slope of the hill, in a recent road cut, Sulkhan Kharabadze found a bronze hoe dated to the 8th-7th century B.C., and reported finding Classical materials as well. Pottery (including a Colchian amphora toe) and many fragments of burnt mud plaster have also been recorded by Sulkhan Kharabadze on the top of the hill, as well as on its northern and southern slopes.
    Keyword:
    Iron Age, Classical, and 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

  • Zeda Gora, Natatralitsike A065

    work
    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

  • Zeda Gora A066

    work
    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

  • Qumuri A067

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Qumuri is perched on the west (left) bank of the Qumuri River, about 8 km upstream of Shuamta, and 7.5 km south-southwest of Vani. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. It lies at the beginning of the higher foothills of the Lesser Caucasus, above and beyond the zone of low hillocks overlooking the Phasis River plain. In recent years, a local resident named Raphiel Kartvelishvili has identified a number of points of interest nearby, including a possible iron smelting site (A068) and, on the evidence of a dense sherd scatter, at least one Iron Age settlement (A069). Both sites are situated in and around the upland pastures upstream of the modern village at elevations approaching 1000 masl.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    No official archaeological work has been previously conducted at the site., Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 33. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Qumuri A068

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    In a small clearing on the east side of a narrow valley on the right bank of the Qumuri River, there were exposed embedded in the roots of a fallen tree large quantities of what appeared to be iron slag.
    Keyword:
    Quarry
    Citation to related publication:
    No official archaeological work has been previously conducted at the site. , Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 33. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Dutskhuni A070

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Dutskhuni is a small modern settlement above the left bank of the Qumuri River. According to Raphiel Kartvelishvili, the pithos burial of a child had been found on the steep slopes rising above the modern village of Dutskhuni (A071). Pottery, possibly modern, was also reported in the area.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    No archaeological work has previously been conducted at the site.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Dutskhuni A071

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    According to Raphiel Kartvelishvili, the pithos burial of a child had been found on the steep slopes rising above the modern village of Dutskhuni. Pottery, possibly modern, was also reported in the area.
    Keyword:
    1st Millennium BCE and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    No archaeological work has previously been conducted at the site.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Maisauri A072

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Maisauri is a modern settlement on the west side of the valley of the Qumuri River. According to Raphiel Kartvelishvili, Classical pottery and the remains of a structure built out of ashlar masonry, possibly a church, were found to the west of the settlement on a ridge called Nadarbazevi, which offers a view both northeastward to the Phasis River valley and southwestward to the valley of the Supsa and beyond it to the Black Sea (A073).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    No archaeological research has previously been conducted at the site.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Vani A074

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Vani. For a complete description of archaeological work carried out at the ancient site see entry A075.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    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). See entry for site A075.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Vani A075

    work
    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

  • Vani, Area B B001

    work
    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

  • Dzulukhi, Aptarauli Hill B002

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Aptarauli hill lies on the northeast edge of the modern settlement of Dzulukhi, which is located approximately 11 km southeast of Vani at 322 masl, on the banks of a tributary of the Sulori River, called the Dzulukhura (or, locally, the Dzlukhura). A scatter of pottery extends a couple of hundred meters along the edge of a series of cornfields and a hazelnut grove covering the northeast slope of a hill that rises above the left (west) bank of the Dzulukhura. Identifiable pottery includes Classical pithos fragments, as well as burnt mud plasters.
    Keyword:
    1st Millennium BCE and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Chance finds were reported in 1950 and 1951. A brief survey was conducted at the location in 2008., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. “Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeologicalstudies in Vani and Vani district in 1952].” Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the Archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. p. 150. (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. 43-44. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Zeda Tsikhesulori B003

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Zeda Tsikhesulori lies approximately 0.75 km as the crow flies west of the ancient site of Vani at 200 masl, and approximately twice that distance by road. It is located in the Vani administrative district. At the east edge of the modern settlement lies a hill called Natsikharigora, which is crowned by a masonry fortress; the east slope of the hill is covered by a cornfield containing ancient pottery (B004).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    The area was known as an archaeological location already in the 1950s, and excavations were carried out on Natsikharigora in 1968, 1970, and 1973. Chance finds were reported in 1952 and 2001, both were pithos burial., 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. Table XIII2. (In Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. N. 1971. Arkheologicheskiye raskopki srednevekovoi kreposti Tsikhe Sulori [Archaeological excavations of the medieval fortress Tsikhe Sulori]. Tezisy dokladov, posvyashchennykh itogam polevykh arkheologicheskikh issledovanii v 1970 g. v SSSR [Abstracts of the papers devoted to the results of the field-archaeological studies in the USSR in 1970]. Tbilisi. p. 245-46. (In Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. 1973. Arkeologiuri getkhrebi Tsikhe Suloris natsikharze [Archaeological excavations on the Tsikhe Sulori Castle site]. Vanis arkeologiuri expeditsiis 25 tseli (1947-1972), sametsniero sesiis tezisebi da bibliograpia, 27-28 tebervali 1973 tseli [The 25th anniversary of the Vani archaeological expedition (1947-1972), Abstracts of the scientific session and bibliography, the 27-28th of February, 1973]. Tbilisi. pp. 21-22. (Parallel texts in Georgian and Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. 1976. Tsikhe-suloris natsikharze tsarmoebuli arkeologiuri tkhris shedegebi [Results of the archaeological excavations of the Tsikhe-Sulori castle site]. Vani II. Tbilisi. pp. 32-47. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Mitsishvili, M. 1977. 1973 tsels Tsikhesuloris natsikharis tkhris angarishi [Report on the excavation of Tsikhe Sulori castle site in 1973]. Vani II. Tbilisi. pp. 43-57, pls. 1-20. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1977. Monetebi vanidan. [Money from Vani.] Vani III. Tbilisi. p. 130., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1983. Denezhnoe obrashchenie Tsentralnoi Kolkhidy [The circulation of coins in central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 44., Mitsishvili, M. 1983. Antikuri importi vansa dam is midamoebshi. TsikheSulori. [Classical imports from Vani and its surroundings. Tsikhe-Sulori.] Vani VII. Tbilisi. p. 126. (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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Zeda Tsikhesulori, Natsikharigora B004

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The Mediaeval citadel at Zeda Tsikhesulori occupies the north end of the top of a hill called Natsikharigora just a few degrees south of due west of Vani, 0.75 km as the crow flies from the ancient site, and at an elevation of 207 masl. The fortress consists of a triangular enclosure wall, two sections of which survive, with a square tower attached at the southeast corner. Where measured, the wall is approximately 1.2 m thick and is built of irregular and roughly squared sand- or mudstone blocks with an occasional large cobble set in coarse lime mortar. The average height of the courses is 0.2 m. The slopes of the hill on which the fortification stands fall away steeply on all sides except on the east, where there is a gently sloping cornfield littered with pottery. In the area of the cornfield, one fragment of a large Colchian pithos was found. A large Mediaeval pithos was noted in situ at the north end of the fortification. Previous excavations in this area during the 1970s identified Hellenistic pottery and tiles, as well as material from the Mediaeval period.
    Keyword:
    Hellenistic, Fortification, Mediaeval, and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    The area was known as an archaeological location already in the 1950s, and excavations were carried out on Natsikharigora in 1968, 1970, and 1973. Chance finds were reported in 1952 and 2001, both were pithos burial., 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. Table XIII2. (In Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. N. 1971. Arkheologicheskiye raskopki srednevekovoi kreposti Tsikhe Sulori [Archaeological excavations of the medieval fortress Tsikhe Sulori]. Tezisy dokladov, posvyashchennykh itogam polevykh arkheologicheskikh issledovanii v 1970 g. v SSSR [Abstracts of the papers devoted to the results of the field-archaeological studies in the USSR in 1970]. Tbilisi. p. 245-46. (In Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. 1973. Arkeologiuri getkhrebi Tsikhe Suloris natsikharze [Archaeological excavations on the Tsikhe Sulori Castle site]. Vanis arkeologiuri expeditsiis 25 tseli (1947-1972), sametsniero sesiis tezisebi da bibliograpia, 27-28 tebervali 1973 tseli [The 25th anniversary of the Vani archaeological expedition (1947-1972), Abstracts of the scientific session and bibliography, the 27-28th of February, 1973]. Tbilisi. pp. 21-22. (Parallel texts in Georgian and Russian.), Mitsishvili, M. 1976. Tsikhe-suloris natsikharze tsarmoebuli arkeologiuri tkhris shedegebi [Results of the archaeological excavations of the Tsikhe-Sulori castle site]. Vani II. Tbilisi. pp. 32-47. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Mitsishvili, M. 1977. 1973 tsels Tsikhesuloris natsikharis tkhris angarishi [Report on the excavation of Tsikhe Sulori castle site in 1973]. Vani II. Tbilisi. pp. 43-57, pls. 1-20. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1977. Monetebi vanidan. [Money from Vani.] Vani III. Tbilisi. p. 130., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1983. Denezhnoe obrashchenie Tsentralnoi Kolkhidy [The circulation of coins in central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 44., Mitsishvili, M. 1983. Antikuri importi vansa dam is midamoebshi. TsikheSulori. [Classical imports from Vani and its surroundings. Tsikhe-Sulori.] Vani VII. Tbilisi. p. 126. (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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)  
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Dikhashkho, Tsikhe on the plain B005

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The remains of a masonry tower are located 3.5 km northeast of the modern village of Dikhashkho at 50 masl, just north of the main east-west road running south of the Phasis River. The standing remains of a small rectangular or possibly hexagonal tower are situated on a small mound just east of a dirt road running north-south, and surrounded by the level river plain, which is planted with corn. Only the eastern wall of the structure is well preserved. The overall exterior dimensions of the structure are 4.7 m (on the east side) by 6.8 m (on the south side). The maximum preserved height of the structure at the southeast corner is 1.55 m. The walls of the tower are built of limestone blocks set in hard white mortar, facing a core of mortared rubble. The facing blocks are preserved on the interior side of the east wall, but not on the exterior. The facing is approximately 0.2 m deep, making the total original thickness of the walls 1.6 m. The facing blocks are approximately 0.3 m in height, 0.5 m in length, and 0.2 m in depth; the stones of the rubble fill vary from 0.2-0.4 m in length. This structure has a sightline to nearby Isriti Tsikhe on top of the hill to the southwest (A044).
    Keyword:
    Fortification and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    A brief survey was conducted at the site by S. Kharabadze in 2008. and Kharabadze, S. 2008. “Vanis Qveq’nis” Arqeologiuri Ruk’a (dzv.ts. VIII – akh.ts. III ss.). (Archaeological Map of the Vani Land, 8th Century BC – 3rd Century AD). Tsardgenilia Doqt’oris Ak’ademiuri Khariskhis Mosap’oveblad. Saqartvelos T’eqnik’uri Universit’et’i. Tbilisi, 0175, Saqartvelo. Seqt’emberi, 2008.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Isriti B006

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Isriti is located approximately 7 km southeast of Vani and 1.7 km east of the Sulori River at 310 masl. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. Investigation focused on an area near a modern cemetery where pithos burials had reportedly been found (B007).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    No earlier archaeological research has been conducted at the site.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Isriti B007

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    On the west side of a hill located on the western outskirts of the modern village of Isriti is situated a modern cemetery below a lightly wooded area, where pithos burials have reportedly been found. In the wooded area, located at 250 masl, a number of pottery sherds were collected, all of which were locally made. Above the wooded area at approximately 350 masl is an open ridge, and running from a hollow to the top of the ridge, or just below it, and turning at an acute angle back down, is a wall built of limestone rubble. The stones are carefully chosen and unworked, but more or less equal in size and substantial; the wall is probably a modern fieldwall but is remarkable in a region where few such fieldwalls are made of stone. The explanation likely lies in the fact that the bedrock of the entire hill is easily accessible limestone visible just below the surface. At the very top of the ridge lies a cornfield at the summit of the hill, where a piece of burnt mud plaster and a pithos fragment were found. Below the ridge to the south is a grand modern farmhouse, and in the garden of the farmhouse is a sandstone column base (Mediaeval or modern) and a certain amount of Mediaeval pottery. Upstream from Isriti is a modern lime kiln. There are supposedly modern limestone quarries in the region. There are a number of large limestone outcroppings on the road that runs by Isriti along the Sulori River. These outcroppings were sampled by Giorgi Jaoshvili.
    Keyword:
    1st Millennium BCE, Settlement, and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    No earlier archaeological research has been conducted at the site.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Kveda Tsikhesulori, Ketchinara B008

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Kveda Tsikhesulori is located 3 km west of Vani at 40 masl and is in the Vani administrative district. The area of Ketchinara is a residential zone at the eastern outskirts of the modern village of Kveda Tsikhesulori, located directly below the Vani Archaeological Museum, along the west (left) bank of the Tchishura stream. In 2010 six points of interest were documented in this area: the findspot of a pithos burial dated to the 6th-4th centuries B.C.; Hellenistic and Classical pottery eroding from the landslide deposit on the west (left) stream bank of the Tchishura by the village of Kveda Tsikhesulori; the findspot of a pithos burial of a child dated to the Hellenistic period (4th-3rd centuries B.C.); the findspot of a red-figure skyphos; the findspot of a third pithos burial; and a hoard of coins of the 11th century A.D. All of these places are included within the site designation B009.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Survey carried out in the 1950s at Ketchinara identified pottery, burnt daub, and metal objects as well as pithos graves. Stray finds are known from the area, including coins and an Attic red-figure skyphos (found in 1985)., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in 1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 149-162, pls. I-XIX. (In Russian.) p. 149-150., Ghambashidze, G. 1963. Arkeologiuri dazvervebi ketchinarashi (soph. tsikhesulori, vani r.) [Archaeological Surveys in Ketchinara (the village Tsikhesulori, Vani region)]. Summaries of reports of the 25th scientific conference of Tbilisi University students. P. 21-23., Dundua, G. 1973. Sakartveloshi gavtselebuli alexandre makedonelisa da lisimakes sakhelit motchrili monetebi vanidan. [The coins known from Georgia struck by the names of Alexander the Macedonian and Lysimmachus in Vani.] Matsne [Herald] no. 1, 1973. p. 54., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1977. Monetebi vanidan. [Money from Vani] Vani III. Tbilisi. p. 131., Phuturidze, R. 1983. Antikuri importi vansa dam is midamoebshi. tsikhesulori. [Classical import in Vani and its environs. Tsikhesulori] Vani VII, Tbilisi, p. 126., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. Plates IV, 1; XI, 1., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1983. Denezhnoe obrashchenie Tsentralnoi Kolkhidy [The circulation of coins in central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 52., Dundua, G. 1987. Numizmatika antichnoy Gruzii. [Numismatics of classical Georgia]. Tbilisi. p. 44., Kharabadze, S. 2005. Samarkhebi soph. kveda tsikhesuloris teritoriidan. [Graves from the Territory of Kveda Tsikhesulori] Iberia-Colchis No. 2: 30-38., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Kveda Tsikhesulori, Ketchinara B009

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Six points of interest have been documented in the area of Ketchinara at approximately 50 masl. First is the findspot of a pithos burial dated to the 6th-4th centuries B.C., located in the backyard of one of the houses in the area, approximately 200 m north of the museum along a cobblestone road leading to Tchishura stream. Second is a landslide deposit containing Classical and Hellenistic pottery on the west (left) stream bank of the Tchishura by the village of Kveda Tsikhesulori. Third is the findspot of a pithos burial of a child dated to the Hellenistic period (4th-3rd centuries B.C.) located approximately 50 m uphill from the landslide deposit by Tchishura stream. The burial was discovered and excavated by Sulkhan Kharabadze (Kharabadze ND). Fourth is the findspot of a red-figure skyphos in the front yard of a house on the top of the hill at the end of the cobblestone road. The skyphos, which was found in 1958, is of Attic production of the Fat Boy Group and is now held in the Vani Archaeological Museum (inv. # 2:985-676). Sulkhan Kharabadze carried out excavations here three years ago and did not find a cultural layer. The elderly woman living in the house indicated that she had also found ceramics in the cornfield next to her house. Fifth is the findspot of a third pithos burial found in the woods behind the same house at the base of the hill south of the museum. The burial was found by a man who had worked in the Vani Museum as an electrician and who donated all of the artifacts to the museum. Sixth is a hoard of thirteen coins of the 11th century A.D. found approximately 50 m uphill from a house.
    Keyword:
    Classical, Hoard, Hellenistic, Settlement, Mediaeval, and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    Survey carried out in the 1950s at Ketchinara identified pottery, burnt daub, and metal objects as well as pithos graves. Stray finds are known from the area, including coins and an Attic red-figure skyphos (found in 1985)., Khoshtaria, N. V. 1959. Arkheologicheskiye issledovaniya v Vani i Vanskom rayone v 1952 g. [Archaeological studies in Vani and Vani district in 1952]. Masalebi sakartvelos da kavkasiis arkeologiisatvis [Materials for the archaeology of Georgia and the Caucasus], vol. II. Tbilisi. pp. 149-162, pls. I-XIX. (In Russian.) p. 149-150., Ghambashidze, G. 1963. Arkeologiuri dazvervebi ketchinarashi (soph. tsikhesulori, vani r.) [Archaeological Surveys in Ketchinara (the village Tsikhesulori, Vani region)]. Summaries of reports of the 25th scientific conference of Tbilisi University students. P. 21-23., Dundua, G. 1973. Sakartveloshi gavtselebuli alexandre makedonelisa da lisimakes sakhelit motchrili monetebi vanidan. [The coins known from Georgia struck by the names of Alexander the Macedonian and Lysimmachus in Vani.] Matsne [Herald] no. 1, 1973. p. 54., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1977. Monetebi vanidan. [Money from Vani] Vani III. Tbilisi. p. 131., Phuturidze, R. 1983. Antikuri importi vansa dam is midamoebshi. tsikhesulori. [Classical import in Vani and its environs. Tsikhesulori] Vani VII, Tbilisi, p. 126., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. Plates IV, 1; XI, 1., Dundua, G., and G. Lordkipanidze. 1983. Denezhnoe obrashchenie Tsentralnoi Kolkhidy [The circulation of coins in central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 52., Dundua, G. 1987. Numizmatika antichnoy Gruzii. [Numismatics of classical Georgia]. Tbilisi. p. 44., Kharabadze, S. 2005. Samarkhebi soph. kveda tsikhesuloris teritoriidan. [Graves from the Territory of Kveda Tsikhesulori] Iberia-Colchis No. 2: 30-38., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Amaghleba B010

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Amaghleba is located 10 km east of Vani at 80 masl and just south of the main east-west road that runs south of the Phasis River. The Kvintsqali runs through the village and powers a corn mill and small hydroelectric generator. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. Previous investigation in an area called Khumlari revealed pottery and rooftiles of the Hellenistic period; Classical period pottery was also found elsewhere in the area of Amaghleba. In 2010 four points of interest were documented in the area of Amaghleba: a Mediaeval pithos located in situ in the yard of Murman Kakamidze (B011); an 11th-century A.D. church (B012); an area on Terduradzisgora that may be Khumlari, where Hellenistic pottery was collected (B013); and the remains of a Mediaeval fortress located on a hill on the southern outskirts of the modern settlement (B016).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    A survey was carried out in Amaghleba in 1962, and additional survey in 1986 in an area of Amaghleba known as Khumlari., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. p. 84., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Amaghleba B011

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Murman Kakamidze occupies a house on the northeast side of Amaghleba. In the yard of the house, a large Mediaeval pithos lies buried in situ. According to the house owner, the pithos has an improbable volume of 1200 l.
    Keyword:
    Settlement and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    A survey was carried out in Amaghleba in 1962, and additional survey in 1986 in an area of Amaghleba known as Khumlari., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. p. 84., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Amaghleba B012

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    A church built during the 11th century AD is located on the east side of the modern village of Amaghleba.
    Keyword:
    Church and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    A survey was carried out in Amaghleba in 1962, and additional survey in 1986 in an area of Amaghleba known as Khumlari., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. p. 84., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Amaghleba, Khumlari B013

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    A hill called Terduradzisgora is located on the southern outskirts of Amaghleba at 120 masl overlooks the north (right) bank of the Kvintsqali. This area may be the place known as Khumlari, where Hellenistic pottery was found during earlier survey. In a cornfield on a level terrace between Terduradzisgora and the Kvintsqali, Hellenistic pottery was collected, including roof tiles and two Colchian amphora toes. The owner of the land is Murman Kapanadze.
    Keyword:
    Hellenistic and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    A survey was carried out in Amaghleba in 1962 and additionally in 1986 in an area known as Khumlari., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. p. 84., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Kveda Gora B014

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Kveda Gora is situated 13 km southeast of Vani at 240 masl in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus. It located in the Vani administrative district. A Mediaeval tower stands on the top of a hill on the western edge of the modern village, between Kveda Gora and Inashauri (B015).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    A stray find was found in Kveda Gora in 1958. No formal archaeological work has been conducted at the site. 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

  • Kveda Gora, Tsikhe B015

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    On the western edge of of the modern village of Kveda Gora is a hill rising to an elevation of 220 masl and topped by a fortress that is essentially a triangular enclosure with a tower at the east end. It is located on the high point of a southeast-northwest oriented ridge, which falls away steeply to the north, east, and southwest. The structure is built of mortared rubble and is oriented east-west on its longitudinal axis. The enclosure is approximately 20 m in length with a maximum width of about 15 m. The square tower is 5 m on each side. The heavily damaged walls are at least 1.1 m thick, and may have originally been thicker.
    Keyword:
    Fortification and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    A stray find was found in Kveda Gora in 1958. No formal archaeological work has been conducted at the site. 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

  • Amaghleba, Tsikhe B016

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    On the southern outskirts of the modern village of Amaghleba is a hill which rises to an elevation of 160 masl and is crowned by a Mediaeval fortress. Visible in the slope of the hill above the modern road is a substantial quantity of pottery and tiles, some at least Hellenistic. The topsoil here is quite shallow, and the bedrock, a type of conglomerate, is visible in outcroppings in numerous places. A square tower, oriented north-south east-west, occupies the highest point of the hill, just northwest of a modern cemetery. The preserved structure has a maximum height of 2.7 m at its southwest corner. The north and best preserved wall is 5.1 m long, and the west wall is 4.14 m long and is pierced by break that is not a doorway. The preserved thickness of the west wall is 0.67-0.7 m. The interior face of the walls is slightly curved. The tower is constructed of crude lime mortared masonry. The tower has a spectacular view over the Kvinsquali toward the Phasis River plain, including the area of Khumlari. Hellenistic pottery was collected from the area surrounding the tower.
    Keyword:
    Fortification and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    A survey was carried out in Amaghleba in 1962 and additionally in 1986 in an area known as Khumlari., Lordkipanidze, G. 1970. K istorii drevney Kolkhidy. Tbilisi. p. 84., 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Inashauri B017

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    One of the many hills within the area of Inashauri is topped by a small church and surrounding cemetery, at an elevation of 314 masl. The church has no foundation stone with a founding date, and the name of the hill is unknown. The masonry church has ashlar corner quoins and sculptured stone figural decoration of angels and crosses above its southern doorway.
    Keyword:
    Church and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    Early research at Inashauri reported a number of stray finds discovered in 1926. Graves were discovered here by chance in 1958 and 1978., Ivashchenko, M. 1941. Materialyi k izucheniiu kulyturyi kolkhov. Mski, No. 2. Tbilisi. pp. 8-10. (In Russian.), Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 35, fig. 32. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2007. “Wine Drinker” from Inashauri Village (Vani district). Dziebani 17-18. Tbilisi. pp. 145-50. (In Georgian with an English summary.), 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. 27-29. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Inashauri B018

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    In 1958 Boris Chorbadze unearthed a Roman grave in the yard of his house, located within the modern village of Inashauri at 252 masl. The findspot of the grave is within a small plot of corn within the confines of his yard. The grave contained an iron dagger now held in the Vani Archaeological Museum (inv. # 2281), along with one large and one small spearhead, an axe, fragments of a belt, a curved knife, a stone bead, a clay phiale, a clay pot, fragments of a clay jug, some tools for hammering, fragments of a glass vessel, fragments of a ring, and one coin (Kharabadze 2008). These have all been lost. The coin was stamped with a double portrait of one old and one young man.
    Keyword:
    Roman and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    Early research at Inashauri reported a number of stray finds discovered in 1926. Graves were discovered here by chance in 1958 and 1978., Ivashchenko, M. 1941. Materialyi k izucheniiu kulyturyi kolkhov. Mski, No. 2. Tbilisi. pp. 8-10. (In Russian.), Jikia, L. 1988. Brinjaos sameurneo iaraghebi kutaisis muzeumdan. Kiemm, V. pp. 35, fig. 32. (In Georgian.), Kharabadze, S. 2007. “Wine Drinker” from Inashauri Village (Vani district). Dziebani 17-18. Tbilisi. pp. 145-50. (In Georgian with an English summary.), 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. 27-29. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Saprasia B019

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Saprasia is situated 20 km southeast of Vani at 400 masl in the valley of the Kvintsqali in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus. It is located in the Vani administrative region. Pottery was collected from a series of hillslopes in the area of Jijouri-Saprasia (A020).
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    A chance find was reported in an area known as Jijouri in 1999. Otherwise no archaeological work has been conducted here. 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Saprasia B020

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    B019 ( https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/data/concern/generic_works/c534fp131?locale=en) and A series of cornfields on the southeast slopes of a hill in the region of Saprasia known as Jijouri was investigated for pottery, but the high corn made visibility very low. Pottery was collected along the northeast side of a hill south of Inashauri at approximately 340 masl, including Classical period pithos fragments. Once in Inashauri, pottery sherds of local fabric were discovered in a small tomato patch (”Lower Saprasia”). A bronze hoe of the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age was found accidentally in 1999 in the region of Saprasia called Jijouri and is now held in the Vani Archaeological Museum (Kharabadze 2008). In this area pottery of the Classical period has also been found.
    Keyword:
    1st Millennium BCE, Settlement, and Burial
    Citation to related publication:
    A chance find was reported in an area known as Jijouri in 1999. Otherwise no archaeological work has been conducted here. 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Mshvidobisgora Tsikhe C001

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    On the eastern edge of the modern town of Vani, just across the Sulori river from the town’s central traffic circle, lies a hill called Mshvidobisgora, the northeastern edge of which is crowned by a Mediaeval fortress. Mshvidobisgora comprises a long chain of hills rising to an elevation of 175 masl and oriented northwest-southeast, separating the right (east) bank of the Sulori from the Phasis river. The fortress is situated at the northeast edge of the westernmost hill in this chain. The fortress forms the focal point of a modern recreational park. It is roughly square in plan, oriented north-south, east-west, and is constructed of lime mortared rubble masonry, consisting mainly of smoothed cobblestones. All four of the walls are preserved to a height of about 1 m. The wall thickness is about 0.4 m. The length of the east wall is 3.25 m, while that of the south wall is 3.40 m. It is unclear whether a break approximately 1 m wide piercing the south wall near the southeast corner was once a doorway. The hill on which the fortress stands is visible due almost directly east from the “Stepped Altar” on the Middle Terrace at the site of Vani.
    Keyword:
    Fortification and Mediaeval
    Citation to related publication:
    Hughes, R. C. 2015. The Archaeology of a Colchian Landscape: Results of the Eastern Vani Survey. Ph.D. Dissertation. The University of Michigan. p. 144-145.
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Qumuri, Mskhaltavake A069

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    In an upland clearing occupied partly by agricultural fields, partly by farmland, Raphiel Kartvelishvili showed us a cornfield dense with pottery ranging in date from Iron Age to Mediaeval. Local farmer Anzor Tchapodze told us that there was also pottery on both sides of the hill to the north called Nasaqdrigora.
    Keyword:
    Iron Age, Classical, and Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    No official archaeological work has been previously conducted at the site., Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. p. 33. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), 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. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Documentation for the PASH Collection

    work
    Creator:
    Galaty, Michael L. and Bejko, Lorenc
    Description:
    This work contains documentation for the entire Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës (PASH) data set, which has been organized into a series of collections and works in the Deep Blue Data repository to facilitate access and navigation. The data presented here accompany a two-volume research report, published by the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology Press (Galaty and Bejko 2023--see below).
    Keyword:
    archaeology
    Citation to related publication:
    Galaty, M. L., & Bejko, L. (Eds.). (2023). Archaeological Investigations in a Northern Albanian Province: Results of the Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës (PASH) (Vol. 1). University of Michigan Press.  https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12201317 and Galaty, M. L., & Bejko, L. (2023). Archaeological Investigations in a Northern Albanian Province: Results of the Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës (PASH) (Vol. 2). University of Michigan Press.  https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12208577
    Discipline:
    Humanities

  • Vani Archaeological Survey Goals and Methods

    work
    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

  • Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës (PASH)

    User Collection
    collection
    Creator:
    Galaty, Michael
    Description:
    The data presented here were collected in the course of archaeological survey and excavation in the region of Shkodër in northern Albania, carried out between 2010 and 2014, with a follow-up visit in 2016. The Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës (PASH) was co-directed by Michael L. Galaty (University of Michigan) and Lorenc Bejko (University of Tirana) and was sponsored by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF BCS1220016), The University of Tirana, Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, and the University of Michigan. The data presented here accompany a two-volume research report, published by the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology Press (Galaty and Bejko 2023) - Volume 1 ( https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12201317) and Volume 2 ( https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12208577)., The county (Alb. qarqe) of Shkodër is located in northern Albania. It is bordered to the south by the Adriatic Sea and to the northwest by the country of Montenegro. The counties of Lezhë and Kukës are situated to the south and east, respectively. Shkodër Lake is situated along the border with Montenegro. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans. The city of Shkodër is the fifth largest in Albania. It was founded in the Bronze Age and became a Roman colony in 168 BC, following the Illyrian Wars. Several major rivers intersect at Shkodër, including the Buna, which exits Shkodër Lake, the Drin, and the Kir. The latter two rivers flow from the Bjeshkët e Nemuna, the Albanian Alps, and provide access across the mountains, to the Balkan interior, including metal-rich Kosovo. Several very important ancient sites are located to the south of Shkodër, close to the Adriatic coast: Lezhë (ancient Lissus), Apollonia, and Durrës (ancient Epidamnus, Dyrrachium under the Romans). The latter two cities were Greek colonies, founded during the Archaic period. All three became Roman colonies., and PASH was designed to investigate shifts, through time, in Shkodër towards increased social stratification and hierarchy. These shifts commenced during prehistory and are marked by two dramatic changes in the regional landscape: new settlement in defensible “hillforts” and burial in rock and earth mounds. We wondered what factors – environment, settlement, status, conflict, subsistence, trade, migration – might have allowed or encouraged these changes.
    Keyword:
    archaeology
    Discipline:
    Science and Humanities
    5Sub-collections
    1Works

  • Central Mali documentary videos

    User Collection
    collection
    Creator:
    Heath, Jeffrey G.
    Description:
    Short documentary videos of practical activities and cultural events of Dogon, Fulbe, Songhay, and Bangande ethnic groups of eastern Central Mali. The videos were byproducts of linguistic research on the local language. They are presented here in three formats: wmv, avi, and either qt or mov. See the "readme" files in each work for a summary of the videos in it. and The footage was shot with various digital cameras. The oldest videos (2010 and one or two from 2011) were edited using iMovie. The later videos were edited using AVS editing software. Several of the 2010 videos, referred to as "compilations," are simple sequences of short clips that combine to illustrate a complex activity such as extracting oil from nuts. The later videos are in more flowing documentary form with overlaid titles in English. In some cases, vocabulary from the relevant native language is included in the titles.
    Keyword:
    Mali and Dogon
    Citation to related publication:
     www.dogonlanguages.org
    Discipline:
    Humanities
    7Works