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  • Dzulukhi, Melaurisgora A041

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Southeast of the modern settlement of Dzulukhi lies a hill called Melaurisgora, oriented north south and bounded on the west by the narrow stream called the Dzulukhura (or Dzlukhura). The hill rises to an elevation of about 450 m, 150 meters above the settlement and stream below. We recorded and collected pottery and burnt mud plaster fragments from a cornfield and from the eroded scarps of the west slope of the hill, which we approached first, as well as from the terraces on the east slope, just below the summit. Identifiable pottery from the west slope included one possible body fragment of a Sinopian amphora, as well as Classical and early-late Mediaeval material. The pottery collected from the east slope of the hill (directly below the mediaeval fortress, A042) was all Classical. It is unclear from the surface materials whether occupation extended down the slopes of the hill, or whether these materials have washed down from a small settlement on top.
    Keyword:
    Classical, Settlement, and Mediaeval
    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

  • Dzulukhi A040

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement Dzulukhi lies approximately 11 km southeast of Vani, on the banks of a tributary of the Sulori River, called the Dzulukhura (or, locally, the Dzlukhura). This stream flows through a valley in between the zone of low hillocks overlooking the Phasis River plain, and the beginning of the higher foothills of the Lesser Caucasus. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. Southeast and upstream of the modern village is a hill called Melaurisgora. The hill is oriented north-south and rises to an elevation of about 450 m, 150 meters above the settlement and stream below. A Mediaeval fortress known as Melauritsike crowns the top of this hill (A042), and sherd scatters on both the east and west sides of the hill attest occupation in the Classical period as well (A041). In 2009 a young man named Merab Kheladze from Dzulukhi showed us the road to the fortress on top of the hill and stayed with us for the entire trip, joining us even for a dip in the Dzulukhura. In 2010 we returned to Dzulukhi to conduct geophysical survey on Melaurisgora. At this time we documented pottery scattered across the southeast slope of Aptarauli hill (B002). Identifiable pottery included Classical pithos fragments, as well as burnt mud plasters, extending the area of known occupation from Melaurisgora down to the banks of the Dzulukhura.
    Keyword:
    Modern 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

  • Sulori A038

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The Sulori River runs roughly northwest-southeast between two chains of hills that rise steeply up from the valley and are covered with a mixture of forest and agricultural fields. The modern settlement of Sulori is located approximately 9 km southeast of Vani on a road that runs east of and parallel to the Sulori River. The settlement is not situated directly on the river but about 800 m to the east. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. The road that runs along the river offers one of the few routes of travel between Vani and the regions to the southwest and south. Chance finds and excavations carried out in the 1970s revealed substantial traces of an ancient settlement in a place called Sakakile (”Place of Beads”), 3 km upstream of the modern village (A039, Inaouri 1990). Today it is the site of a log bridge crossing the river. The region around the river crossing is divided topologically into three distinct areas: Kvabiskari (”Place of the Cave/Gorge”), located downstream of the crossing and on the right (north) bank of the river; Sakakile, located on the promontory upstream of the crossing and on the left (south) bank of the river; and Likheti, located upstream of and uphill from Sakakile.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    In 1984, a chance find of a bronze axe was reported from the area known as Sakakile. In the following year, the Vani excavation team began excavations on the northern slope of the hill south of the river. In 1990 a hoard of 607 coins was found in the village of Sulori. A brief survey of the are was conducted in 2008., Lordkipanidze, O. 1986. Argonavtika da dzveli kolkheti [Argonautics and ancient Colchis]. Tbilisi. pp. 82-83. (In Georgian.), 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. pp. 54-55. (In Russian.), Inauri, G. 1990a. Arkheologicheskiye razvedki v s. Sulori [Archaeological explorations in the village of Sulori]. Prichernomorye v VII-V vv. do n. e. Pismennye istochniki i arkheologiya. Materialy V Mezhdunarodnogo simpoziuma po drevnei istorii Prichernomorya. Vani – 1987 [The Black Sea littoral in the 7th-5th centuries B.C. Literary sources and archaeology (Problem of authenticity). Materials of the 5th International symposium dedicated to the problems of the ancient history of the Black Sea littoral. Vani – 1987]. Tbilisi. pp. 276-279. (In Russian.), Inauri, G. 1990b. Le territoire de Vani. Un compte rendu des recherches archéologiques. Le Pont-Euxin vu par les grecs. Sources écrites et archéologique. Symposium de Vani (Colchide), Septembre-Octobre 1987, Otar Lordkipanidze et Pierre Lévêque, ed. Tea Khartchilava et Evelyne Geny. Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Ancienne, Vol. 100. Paris: Annales Littéraires de l’Université de Besançon. pp. 249-252. (In French.), Lébanidzé, L. 1999. Le trésor monétaire de Sulori. La Mer Noire zone de contacts. Actes du VIIe Sympsium de Vani (Colchide) – 26-30.IX.1994. Paris. p. 155-158., Lordkipanidze, Otar. 2002. Dzeli kartuli civilizaciis sataveebtan [The sources of ancient Georgian civilization]. Tbilisi. pp. 206-7. (In Georgian.), 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. p. 20. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Mikelaponi A037

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Approximately 5.5 km south (and upstream) of Shuamta lies a sandstone quarry on the east (right) bank of the Qumuri River. The quarry sits at the confluence of the Qumuri and a small tributary stream. Pickmarks are preserved on some of the rock faces, although it is unclear whether these are ancient or modern. This stone resembles the material used in the Hellenistic temples and fortifications of Vani. Guram Kvirkvelia noted that local stone throughout the region was quarried to build the Hellenistic-period temples at Vani, though it is not possible to identify this quarry as one such source.
    Keyword:
    Quarry and Modern
    Citation to related publication:
    Metal and ceramic stray finds were found in the village of Mikelaponi in 1951. No further archaeological work has been conducted at the site., 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. p. 153. (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. 31. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Mikelaponi A036

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Mikelaponi is located on the Qumuri River, southwest of Vani and approximately 6 km south (upstream) of Shuamta. In the 1950s, a local resident named Mose Beltadze found a coin hoard in the vineyards on his property and gave it to the Vani Museum. The Beltadze family house lies at the base of the hills on the east (right) bank of the river. The vineyard where the coin hoard was found is situated on the hill directly above the house, called Nasakhligora (“Settled in the Past” Hill). Mose Beltadze’s son, Sergo Beltadze, reported finding bones in the same general area; according to him, a church and a cemetery also once occupied this spot.
    Keyword:
    Hoard and Hellenistic
    Citation to related publication:
    Metal and ceramic stray finds were found in the village of Mikelaponi in 1951. No further archaeological work has been conducted at the site., 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. p. 153. (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. 31. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Mikelaponi A035

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Mikelaponi is located on the Qumuri River, southwest of Vani and approximately 6 km south (upstream) of Shuamta. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. In the 1950s, a local resident named Mose Beltadze found a coin hoard in the vineyards on his property, and gave it to the Vani Museum (A036). The Beltadze family house lies at the base of the hills on the east (right) bank of the river. The vineyard where the coin hoard was found is situated on the hill directly above the house, called Nasakhligora (“Settled in the Past” Hill). Mose Beltadze’s son, Sergo Beltadze, reported finding bones in the same general area; according to him, a church and a cemetery also once occupied this spot. Approximately 500 m northwest and downstream of the Beltadze house lies a limestone quarry, also on the east (right) bank of the Qumuri River (A037). It is unclear whether this quarry was used in antiquity, although marks resembling ancient pickmarks are preserved on some of the rock faces.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Metal and ceramic stray finds were found in the village of Mikelaponi in 1951. No further archaeological work has been conducted at the site., 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. p. 153. (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. 31. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Shuamta, Melashvilebisgora, Natsikhvara A034

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Melashvilebisgora or Melashvilebis Ubani is located south of the modern settlement of Shuamta and is oriented roughly north-south. On top of the hill stands a middle-late Mediaeval fortress of mortared rubble masonry (mainly cobblestones set in hard white mortar), large pieces of which have fallen down the slopes of the hill. Most of the visible masses of masonry appear to have fallen into their current position rather than have remained in situ. The structure measures approximately 20 m by 15 m. The fortress was strategically located to exploit clear sightlines over the Qumuri River and upstream to the hills and beyond to Vani.
    Keyword:
    Fortification, Mediaeval, and 16th-17th century CE
    Citation to related publication:
    Archaeological knowledge of Shuamta dates to the late 1970's. Formal archaeological work in the form of surveys took place in 1981 and 1986. No further work has been done in the area., Beradze, T. 1977. Vanis raionis istoriuli geograpiidan [From the historical geography of the Vani district]. Vani III. Tbilisi. pp. 238-40. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), Kacharava, D. 1983. Mokhatuli, shavlakiani da sada keramika. Vani VII. Tbilisi. pp. 26-51, p. 29. (In Georgian.), Kvirkvelia, G. 1990. La Région de Vani aux VIIIème – Vème Siècles. In Le Pont-Euxin Vu Par les Grecs, Sources Écrites et Archéologique, Symposium de Vani (Colchide), Septembre-Octobre 1987, Otar Lordkipanidze et Pierre Lévêque, ed. Tea Khartchilava et Evelyne Geny, pp. 253-56. Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Ancienne, Vol. 100. Paris: Annales Littéraires de l’Université de Besançon., Kvirkvelia, G. T. 1990. Vanskii region v VII-V vv. do n. e. [The Vani Region in the 7th-5th cent. B.C.] Prichernomorye v VII-V vv. do n. e. Pismennye istochniki i arkheologiya. Materialy V Mezhdunarodnogo simpoziuma po drevnei istorii Prichernomorya. Vani – 1987 [The Black Sea littoral in the 7th-5th centuries B.C. Literary sources and archaeology (Problem of authenticity). Materials of the 5th International symposium dedicated to the problems of the ancient history of the Black Sea littoral. Vani – 1987]. Tbilisi. p. 280. (In Russian.), 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. p. 42-43, Plate XXXII. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Shuamta, Melashvilebisgora A033

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    Melashvilebisgora or Melashvilebis Ubani is located south of the modern settlement of Shuamta and is oriented roughly north south. Pottery was noted both during previous survey work and during the present investigation over all sides of the hill, suggesting that it was the site of an extensive settlement. In particular, ploughed agricultural fields on the west slope of the hill yielded a rich assemblage of pottery, including an Early Bronze Age tubular jug and miscellaneous sherds dating from the Iron Age through the Late Hellenistic period, burnt mud plaster, fragments of flint and obsidian, a bronze bracelet, and glass fragments, including one fragment of a glass bracelet. On the east slope of the hill, large fragments of burnt mud plaster were noted together with a Colchian pan tile fragment of the Hellenistic period. In 2009 the survey project investigated the area using two methods of geophysical prospection, electrical resistivity and magnetic survey. In 2010 excavations were carried out to investigate anomalies detected by geophysical prospection. A series of four trenches revealed significant concentrations of pottery and burnt daub from wattle-and-daub structures, in three cases associated with pit features. One of these, a circular pit approximately 2 m wide and 60 cm deep is too small to have been used for habitation, and was perhaps a dugout storage feature or waste pit of some kind, partly subterranean, partly rising above grade on wattle and daub walls. Another, 1.5 m wide and at least 2.5 m long, may have belonged to a dugout house. Alternatively, these features may be quarry pits resulting from the collection of clay-rich soils appropriate for constructing the kind of wattle-and-daub structures that are found here and at sites throughout the region. These quarry pits would then have been filled with waste materials such as burnt mud plasters during the occupation of the site. With the exception of one trench that contained some debris that had apparently washed down from later habitation at a higher elevation, the small finds from these excavations were exclusively Iron Age in date, including three terracotta animal figurines.
    Keyword:
    Early Hellenistic, Iron Age, Classical, Late Hellenistic, Settlement, and Early Bronze Age
    Citation to related publication:
    Archaeological knowledge of Shuamta dates to the late 1970's. Formal archaeological work in the form of surveys took place in 1981 and 1986. No further work has been done in the area., Beradze, T. 1977. Vanis raionis istoriuli geograpiidan [From the historical geography of the Vani district]. Vani III. Tbilisi. pp. 238-40. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.) , Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), Kacharava, D. 1983. Mokhatuli, shavlakiani da sada keramika. Vani VII. Tbilisi. pp. 26-51, p. 29. (In Georgian.) , Kvirkvelia, G. 1990. La Région de Vani aux VIIIème – Vème Siècles. In Le Pont-Euxin Vu Par les Grecs, Sources Écrites et Archéologique, Symposium de Vani (Colchide), Septembre-Octobre 1987, Otar Lordkipanidze et Pierre Lévêque, ed. Tea Khartchilava et Evelyne Geny, pp. 253-56. Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Ancienne, Vol. 100. Paris: Annales Littéraires de l’Université de Besançon. , Kvirkvelia, G. T. 1990. Vanskii region v VII-V vv. do n. e. [The Vani Region in the 7th-5th cent. B.C.] Prichernomorye v VII-V vv. do n. e. Pismennye istochniki i arkheologiya. Materialy V Mezhdunarodnogo simpoziuma po drevnei istorii Prichernomorya. Vani – 1987 [The Black Sea littoral in the 7th-5th centuries B.C. Literary sources and archaeology (Problem of authenticity). Materials of the 5th International symposium dedicated to the problems of the ancient history of the Black Sea littoral. Vani – 1987]. Tbilisi. p. 280. (In Russian.), 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. p. 42-43, Plate XXXII. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Shuamta A032

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern settlement of Shuamta lies 5 km west of Vani at the point where the main east-west road south of the Phasis River crosses the Qumuri, a major tributary of the Phasis. The village is located in the Vani administrative district. Our investigations centered on a hill south of the village center, overlooking the left (west) bank of the Qumuri River. The hill is named Melashvilebisgora or Melashvilebis Ubani and is oriented roughly north-south. We approached the hill by driving south around its west side, stopping at a ploughed field very rich in pottery (A033). We then walked to the top of the hill from this field. On the highest point rests a Mediaeval fortress built of mortared rubble masonry, large chunks of which have fallen down the surrounding slopes (A034). Pottery was noted during both previous survey work and during the present investigation over all sides of the hill, suggesting that it was the site of an extensive settlement. Of special note was a fragment of a 6th-century B.C. Chiote chalice.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Archaeological knowledge of Shuamta dates to the late 1970's. Formal archaeological work in the form of surveys took place in 1981 and 1986. No further work has been done in the area., Beradze, T. 1977. Vanis raionis istoriuli geograpiidan [From the historical geography of the Vani district]. Vani III. Tbilisi. pp. 238-40. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.) , Gamqrelidze, G. 1982. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), Kacharava, D. 1983. Mokhatuli, shavlakiani da sada keramika. Vani VII. Tbilisi. pp. 26-51, p. 29. (In Georgian.), Kvirkvelia, G. 1990. La Région de Vani aux VIIIème – Vème Siècles. In Le Pont-Euxin Vu Par les Grecs, Sources Écrites et Archéologique, Symposium de Vani (Colchide), Septembre-Octobre 1987, Otar Lordkipanidze et Pierre Lévêque, ed. Tea Khartchilava et Evelyne Geny, pp. 253-56. Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Ancienne, Vol. 100. Paris: Annales Littéraires de l’Université de Besançon., Kvirkvelia, G. T. 1990. Vanskii region v VII-V vv. do n. e. [The Vani Region in the 7th-5th cent. B.C.] Prichernomorye v VII-V vv. do n. e. Pismennye istochniki i arkheologiya. Materialy V Mezhdunarodnogo simpoziuma po drevnei istorii Prichernomorya. Vani – 1987 [The Black Sea littoral in the 7th-5th centuries B.C. Literary sources and archaeology (Problem of authenticity). Materials of the 5th International symposium dedicated to the problems of the ancient history of the Black Sea littoral. Vani – 1987]. Tbilisi. p. 280. (In Russian.), 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. p. 42-43, Plate XXXII. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
    Discipline:
    Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Mtisdziri A031

    work
    Creator:
    Vani Archaeological Survey
    Description:
    The modern village of Mtisdziri lies 10 km west of Vani on the main east-west road south of the Phasis River at the edge of the river plain. Mtisdziri is located on the border between the Samtredia and Vani administrative districts. The main area of archaeological interest is a cluster of small hills, southeast of the center of the settlement, which rise to elevations 80-120 m above the valley. These include three hills running in a row from east to west, Adeishvilebisgora, Mtisdzirisgora, and Nabambevisgora, together with a fourth, higher hill, known as Naktsevigora, which rises behind the first two. In recent years (beginning in 1978), substantial landslides from this last hill have partially filled the valley (Geperidzeebis Ghele) between Adeishvilebisgora and Mtisdzirisgora. To the west, running between Mtisdzirisgora and Nabambevisgora, there is a small stream, whose name is the Tsabla Ghele. The area to the west of this stream, on the east slope of Nabambevisgora, is called Nashuebi. These hills were the foci of excavations carried out in the 1970s, which yielded remains dating from the 7th century B.C. to the early Mediaeval period (Gamkrelidze and Knauss). Mtisdziri was visited on 20 and 21 June 2009. In the area of Adeishvilebisgora, we recorded three points of interest: the site of an old excavation trench in the saddle between Adeishvilebisgora and Naktsevigora (the area known as Geperidzeebis Namosakhlari; A023); the location of the timber frame structure in Trench 11 on the east side of the hill (A024), where we saw traces of stone foundations; and the location of the Late Roman and Mediaeval structure in Trench 12 on top of the hill (A025), where a stone wall 0.7 m wide was visible. The path leading up the hill the east side, now planted with hazelnut trees, is littered with fragments of burnt mud plaster and pottery. On Mtisdzirisgora, we recorded a possible disturbed pithos burial, visible in an eroded scarp (A026) and a surface scatter of pottery and small cobbles just below the top of the hill (A027). As noted above, landslides have filled much of the valley between Adeishvilebisgora and Mtisdzirisgora. We climbed up Naktsevigora, the source of the landslides, but saw no ancient remains. In the area of Nashuebi, we picked up a 4th c. B.C. Thasian amphora toe on the west bank of the Tsabla Ghele (A029); this point also marks the general area in Nashuebi where a pit grave was accidentally found and excavations were carried out. In walking around Nabambevisgora, we found several pottery sherds on the east slope and fragments of burnt mud plaster on the north slope (A030) but nothing on the top of the hill, where lies a grassy meadow called the “Airport.” Further to the north at the base of the hill, in an area known as Nikuradzeebis Ubani (or Samkharadzeebis Ubani), our local informant told us that a number of pithos burials had been found (A028), but we observed no traces of ancient occupation in this area.
    Keyword:
    Modern Settlement
    Citation to related publication:
    Archaeological research at Mtisdziri began with the chance discovery of a rich assemblage of objects above the west bank of the Tsabla Ghele in the area known as Nashuebi in 1952. Later chance discoveries include two pithos burials found in 1958 in the western part of the village, north of Nabambevis Gora, in the area known as Nikuradzeebis Ubani (or Samkharadzeebis Ubani), presumably of the early Hellenistic period. In 1971 and 1972, the Vani expedition team collected surface pottery. Excavations were conducted in 1973-1977., 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., 1971. Chronicles. Herald of Kutaisi Historical-Ethnographical Museum. Vol. 2. P. 135-136. (In Georgian.), Ramishvili, A., and O. Lanchava. 1973. Vanis kveqana [The “kveqana” of Vani]. Twenty-five Years of the Vani Archaeological Expedition. Summaries of the Scientific Session. Tbilisi. p. 20. (In Georgian.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1976. Mtisdzirshi napovni qants -ritoni [Horn-rhyton found in Mtisdziri]. Dzeglis megobari, N 41. Tbilisi. pp. 17-20. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1977a. Arkeologiuri gatkhrebi sop. Mtisdziris midamoebshi [Archaeological excavations in the environs of the village of Mtisdziri]. Arkeologiuri dziebani. Akhalgazrda mkvlevarta sametsniero sesiis masalebi [Archaeological investigations. Materials of the scientific sessions of young researchers]. Tbilisi. pp. 74-78. (In Georgian.), Gamqrelidze, G. A. 1977b. K izucheniyu drevnekolkhidskikh oboronitelnykh sooruzhenii [Towards the study of the ancient Colchian defensive structures]. Sakartvelos metsnirebata akademiis moambe [Bulletin of the Georgian Acad. Sci.], vol. 88, N 2. Tbilisi. pp. 501-505. (In Russian with summaries in Georgian and English.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1977c. Mtisdziris arkeologiuri dzeglebi [Archaeological monuments of Mtisdziri]. Vani III. Pp. 58-70, pls. 25-44. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1978. Vanis mtisdziris akhlad aghmochenili adreuli shuasaukuneebis nageboba [Recently discovered building in Mtisdziri of Vani of the early Middle Ages]. Matsne (Istoriis, arkeologiis, etnograpiis da khelovnebis istoriis seria) [Herald of the Academy of Sciences (Series of history, archaeology, ethnography and history of art)], N 3. Tbilisi. pp. 109-123. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1979. Drevniye poseleniya v srednem techenii reki Rioni (Mtisdziri v VII v. do n. e. – VII v. v. e.). Avtoreferat dissertatsii na soiskaniye uchenoi stepeni ckandidata istoricheskikh nauk [The ancient settlements in the middle part of the river Rioni (Mtisdziri in the 7th cent. B.C. – 7th cent. A. D.). Synopsis of thesis to defend the scientific degree of candidate of historical sciences]. Tbilisi. (In Russian.), Tolordava, V. 1980. Dakrdzalvis tsesebi elinisturi khanis sakartveloshi [The burial rites in Georgia of the Hellenistic period]. Tbilisi. pp. 6-23, pls. II-XVIII. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1982a. Adreshuasaukuneebis samshenenblo keramika adeishvilebis goridan [The early medieval pottery from the Adeishvili hill]. Arkeologiuri dziebani. Akhalgazrda mkvlevarta II da III sametsniero sesiis masalebi [Archaeological investigations. Materials of the 2nd and 3rd scientific sessions of young researchers]. Tbilisi. pp. 115-122. (In Georgian.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1982b. Tsentraluri kolkhetis dzveli namosakhlarebi [Ancient settlements of Central Colchis]. Tbilisi. (In Georgian with summaries in Russian and English.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1983a. Antikuri importi vansa am is da mis midamoebshi. Mtisdziri [Classical import in Vani and its environs. Mtisdziri]. Vani VII. Tbilisi. pp. 127-128, pl. 52. (In Georgian with a Russian summary.), Gamqrelidze, G. 1983b. Sop. Mtisdziris arkeologiuri dzeglebi [Archaeological monuments of the village of Mtisdziri]. Kartuli sabchota entsiklopedia [The Georgian Soviet Encyclopaedia], vol. 6. Tbilisi. p. 672. (In Georgian.), Gamkrelidze, G. 1990. From Colchian mythology (Ochopintre – a Pantype God). Preprinter. Tbilisi. (Summary in Russian.), Kvirkvelia, G. 1990. La Région de Vani aux VIIIème – Vème Siècles. In Le Pont-Euxin Vu Par les Grecs, Sources Écrites et Archéologique, Symposium de Vani (Colchide), Septembre-Octobre 1987, Otar Lordkipanidze et Pierre Lévêque, ed. Tea Khartchilava et Evelyne Geny, pp. 253-56. Centre de Recherches d’Histoire Ancienne, Vol. 100. Paris: Annales Littéraires de l’Université de Besançon., Gamkrelidze, G. 1992. K arkheologii doliriy doliny Phazisa (Rioni) [Towards the archaeology of the Phasis (Rioni) valley]. Tbilisi. pp. 11, 20-25, 49-100. (In Russian.), Gamkrelidze, G. 1998. Ein Rhyton mit Götterdarstellung aus der Kolchis. Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran und Turan 30. Pp. 211-16., Knauß, F. S. 1999a. “Ein silbernes Trinkhorn aus Mtisdziri. Die Kolchis zwischen Achämeniden und Griechen.” In R. F. Docter and E. M. Moormann (eds.), Proceedings of the XVth International Congress of Classical Archaeology, Amsterdam 12. – 17. July 1998. Amsterdam. p. 218-222., Knauß, F. S. 1999b. Bocksdämon und Perserin. Untersuchungen zur Ikonographie und Chronologie der späten graeco-persischen Glyptik, Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran und Turan 31. Pp. 161-189., Gamkrelidze, G. 2001. Kolkhologiuri narkvevebi [Colchological sketches]. Tbilisi. (In Georgian.), Knauss, F. 2006. “Ancient Persia and the Caucasus.” Iranica Antiqua XLI: 79-118., 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. Seqtemberi. P. 29-31. (In Georgian with an English summary.)
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