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  • 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“B.” A single entry added in 2011 received the preface, “C.” In carrying out the survey, we depended heavily on the unpublished dissertation by Sulkhan Kharabadze, “Vanis Qveq’nis” Arqeologiuri Ruk’a (dzv.ts.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

  • Qumuri, Mskhaltavake A069

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    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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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