Archaeology

Archaeology (in Greek arcaios means old and logos — word, doctrine) is a science that studies the history of mankind on the basis of the monuments of material culture. Archaeological monuments are the only source for studying the ancient period of the history of human society. Archaeology is also of great importance for studying the history of eras when writing already existed. The results of the archaeological research complement and clarify the references of the written sources. Archaeologists have discovered ancient monuments of writing itself. Archaeology uses its own methods for age determination and classification of material monuments. After this type of study, archaeological monuments become historical sources. The culture and socioeconomic conditions of ancient societies are reconstructed on the basis of data from material sources.

People have been interested in antiquities since ancient times. In the 6^th century BC, the ruins of palaces were excavated in Babylon and the finds were recorded. Plato (4^th century BC) was the first to use the term “archaeology” in the sense of paleology. Great attention was paid to paleology in ancient Rome. The Roman poet Lucretius (1^st century BC) hypothesized the alternation of the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. Interest in archaeological antiquities was revived during the Renaissance and the following era, especially in the 18^th century. Archaeological excavations began for scientific purposes in the same century. The excavation of Pompeii, which began in 1748, was of particular importance. In the 18^th century, the first archaeological societies and journals were created, a large number of archaeological collections were accumulated in museums. In the 19^th century, the era of “great archaeological discoveries” began, which actually continues to this day.

The first attempts of scientific analysis of archaeological facts in Georgia took place from the middle of the 19^th century in the works of T. Bagrationi, M. Baratashvili, P. Ioseliani, D. Bakradze and others. The activities of the Caucasian Department of the Russian Imperial Geographical Society (1850), the Museum of Caucasus (1852) and the Caucasian Archaeological Society (1873) are also related to this period. Archaeological research has intensified since the 1860s. In connection with the relocation and expansion of the Georgian military road, the so-called Vespasian's inscription of the year 75, Samtavro necropolis and others were discovered. But at that time, there was neither a trained archaeologist in Georgia, nor a special archaeological scientific institution, so scientists of a wide historical profile (D. Bakradze, E. Takaishvili, P. Ioseliani, M. Baratashvili and others) dedicated themselves to the advancement of paleology.

Since the beginning of the 20^th century, archaeological works have been led by the Museum of Georgia (until 1919, by the Museum of Caucasus) and the Historical and Ethnographic Society of Georgia. In the 1920s, the work for the planned development of archaeological science, training of learned archaeologists began. For this purpose, G. Nioradze was sent to Russia and Germany for a long time. In 1925, G. Nioradze, Doctor of History, led the archaeological research in the Museum of Georgia and at the same time took the lead in educating young archaeologists at Tbilisi State University (TSU) at the suggestion of I. Javakhishvili. Later on, these works were carried out by the Georgian Institute of Archaeology and for the most part by the Institute of Language, History and Material Culture. By the end of the 1980s, more than 300 scientific workers (including 100 doctors and candidates of Sciences) were involved in archaeological research in Georgia. In the Academy of Sciences, this field is represented by four academicians and corresponding members of the Academy. Scientific-research centers of archaeology are: Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, Archaeological Research Center of Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Department of Archaeology of TSU, Art Museum of Georgia, scientific-research institutes of Abkhazia, Batumi and Tskhinvali, as well as historical-ethnographic and local museums. Modern, scientific archaeological bases have been established in Mtskheta, Sighnaghi, Nastakisi, Tbilisi, Vani, Bichvinta, Kavtiskhevi and Mestia. The archaeological research is led by the Archaeological Commission of Georgia under the Presidium of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences.

The success of Georgian archaeology is largely connected to the new constructions in Trialeti (Khrami-river hydroelectric plant), Enguri Valley (Enguri Dam), Dusheti Municipality (Zhinvali Dam), Alazani Valley (irrigation system), Colchis Lowland (amelioration), Kartli Valley (irrigation systems), Kvemo Kartli (Marabda - Akhalkalaki railway) and others. Important archaeological findings have been discovered in Mtskheta, Zhinvali, Kakheti, Vani, the headwaters of Rioni, Abkhazia (Bichvinta), Adjara, Shida and Kvemo Kartli. The publication of newly discovered monuments and research results is expanding. Since the beginning of the 20^th century, approximately 2,000 archaeological works have been published in Georgian, Russian and foreign languages. Serial publications were also established (see the article Archaeological Journals). For the monographic research of newly discovered monuments B. Kuftin was awarded the USSR State Prize (1942), A. Apakidze was awarded the S. Janashia Prize (1964) and the State Prize of Georgia (1982), O. Japaridze was awarded the I. Javakhishvili Prize (1970), I. Kikvidze was awarded the S. Janashia Prize (1979), L. Chilashvili was awarded the S. Janashia Prize (1982) and T. Kiguradze was awarded the S. Janashia Prize (1988). A group of authors (A. Apakidze, A. Kalandadze, N. Berdzenishvili, G. Gobejishvili, G. Lomtatidze, N. Khoshtaria, O. Japaridze) created the first university textbook — Georgian Archaeology (1959), on the basis of the research of archaeological monuments of all levels of socioeconomic development and culture of the ancient society. Archaeological Dictionary (edited by A. Apakidze) was published in 1980. Paleolithic and Neolithic settlement ruins were monographically studied (G. Nioradze, A. Kanadadze, N. Berdzenishvili, D. Tushabramishvili, L. Nebieridze, G. Grigolia, L. Tsereteli, M. Gabunia, T. Kighuradze, M. Nioradze, K. Kalandadze, T. Bugianishvili, G. Javakhishvili, Z. Kikodze, L. Solovyov, G. Liubin and others). The periodization of the Stone Age settlement ruins was developed; The forms of productive farming and the Neolithic Revolution, the greatest advance in the history of society and which essentially ended the stage of primitive society, were characterized. The so-called Kura–Araxes culture of the early Bronze Age represented by classical monuments was studied (B. Kuftin, A. Javakhishvili, O. Japaridze, L. Ghlonti, T. Chubinashvili, I. Kikvidze, T. Kighuradze, G. Mirtskhulava, G. Pkhakadze, G. Kavtaradze, M. Baramidze, A. Ramishvili, K. Kakhiani and others). As a result of the discovery and study of classical monuments of the Middle and Late Bronze Age, the civilization of the Caucasus was revealed (A. Apakidze); Tumuli of the Middle Bronze Age were found in Trialeti (B. Kuftin, G. Gobejishvili, O. Japaridze, E. Gogadze, K. Kakhiani), Kakheti (K. Pitskhelauri, Sh. Dedabrishvili, O. Japaridze), Samtskhe-Javakheti (O. Japaridze, O. Ghambashidze) and in Colchis (G. Gobejishvili, G. Pkhakadze, M. Baramidze, E. Gogadze, T. Mikeladze, V. Bzhania, I. Tsvinaria). The tumuli of Bedeni were found and excavated, the archaeological culture of Bedeni was identified (G. Gobejishvili). Unique monuments of the Caucasian civilization of the Late Bronze Age were excavated in the village of Tlia (in the area of Java, B. Tekhovi).

The cultural and economic unity of historical Georgian communities was revealed. Deep roots were also observed in the later, clearer consolidation of Georgian tribes in the Late Bronze - Early Iron Age. (B. Kuftin, A. Kalandadze, K. Pitskhelauri, B. Tekhov, R. Abramishvili, G. Lomtatidze, D. Khoridze, G. Kavtaradze, A. Apakidze). Archaeological studies shed new light on the early stages of iron metallurgical development and the Caucasian roots of this greatest achievement of human civilization, its connection with local bronze metallurgy (A. Kalandadze, G. Gobejishvili, G. Lomtatidze, I. Gdzelishvili, P. Tavadze, N. Abesadze, T. Sakvarelidze, G. Inanishvili, D. Khakhutaishvili and others). Special attention was paid to the research of the city formation processes of ancient and feudal cities (Mtskheta, Phasis, Vani, Pitsunda, Nokalakevi, Dioskuria, Pichvnari, Urbnisi, Dmanisi, Rustavi, Cheremi, Gavazi, Tbilisi and others) (I. Javakhishvili, S. Janashia, G. Nioradze, G. Tsereteli, M. Ivashchenko, L. Muskhelishvili, A. Apakidze, D. Khakhutaishvili, L. Chilashvili, D. Muskhelishvili, P. Zakaraia, N. Lomouri, I. Gagoshidze, A. Kakhidze, O. Lortkipanidze, G. Lortkipanidze, I. Voronov, R. Puturidze, R. Ramishvili, G. Tskitishvili, A. Bokhochadze, M. Sinauridze, J. Jghamaia, B. Jorbenadze and others). The remains of a palace, a temple, a bathhouse and a pool of the Late Antiquity, decorated in Greco-Roman style, as well as mosaic pictures with Greek inscriptions depicting complex religious stories were discovered in the village of Dzalisi (A. Bokhochadze), early Iron Age settlement ruins were found in Mtskheta (Samtavro, Ghartiskari, Narekvavi and others). Temples of the 2^nd–1^st centuries BC and the palace complex of the 1^st century BC-1^st century AD were excavated at Dedoplis Mindori (Kareli Municipality) — in the village Orgora (I. Gagoshidze), signs of the close relation of the local components of the city formation with the Greco-Hellenistic and Roman world were also revealed (M. Inadze , O. Lortkipanidze). In the material culture of ancient Georgia (goldsmithing, urban arts and crafts), two powerful directions were distinguished: the culture of the working class of the local population and the culture of the upper class, which was essentially foreign, imported or created locally on the basis of foreign influence, i.e., was of ancient Greco-Georgian, Hellenistic-Georgian, Roman-Georgian origin. The further development of the local culture of the early Iron Age was delayed for some time, which coincided with the influx of western and eastern products into the Caucasus, including Iberia and Colchis. The most important epigraphic monuments have been discovered in Mtskheta, Bolnisi, Vani, Davati, etc. The decoding, interpreting and dating of these monuments played an important role in clarifying the history of Georgian culture, specifically Georgian writing, in a new way (I. Javakhishvili, G. Chubinashvili, S. Janashia, A. Shanidze, G. Tsereteli, L. Muskhelishvili, S. Kaukhchishvili, T. Gamkrelidze, T. Kaukhchishvili, G. Giorgadze, K. Tsereteli, Z. Aleksidze, G. Abramishvili, R. Pataridze and others).

The ruins of the pre-antique fortified city in the Gareja desert and the Vakhtang Gorgasli palace and monastery complex in Cheremi were discovered as a result of excavations (K. Pitskhelauri, N. Mamaiashvili); Archaeological research of “Kutaisi Country” started. Many collections (Mtskheta, Vani, Pitsunda, Tbilisi, Nokalakevi-Archaeopolis) and monographs (Sh. Meskhia, L. Muskhelishvili, S. Menteshashvili, A. Apakidze, L. Chilashvili, D. Khakhutaishvili, M. Trapshi, M. Inadze, A. Kakhidze, O. Lortkipanidze, G. Lortkipanidze, D. Muskhelishvili, V. Japaridze, P. Zakaraia, I. Gagoshidze and others) were dedicated to the problems of cities. Research was carried out in the fields of numismatics (T. Lomouri, D. Kapanadze, T. Abramishvili, G. Dundua, I. Jalaghania, M. Antadze, Ts. Ghvaberidze, T. Kutelia, I. Tsukhishvili), glyptics (M. Maksimova, S. Barnaveli, M. Lortkipanidze, K. Javakhishvili, K. Ramishvili, T. Surguladze), paleoanthropology (M. Abdushelishvili), speleology (G. Gaprindashvili) and archaeological technology (P. Tavadze, R. Bakhtadze, T. Sakvarelidze, Ts. Abesadze, G. Inanishvili and others).

A laboratory has been established at TSU, where the age of organic remains is determined using radiocarbon dating (G. Mirianashvili, V. Kokochashvili, A. Burchuladze, G. Togonidze); The foundation was laid for the use of archaeomagnetism in the dating of ceramic products (M. Nodia, Z. Chelidze) and the electrometric method in archaeological research (D. Tsitsishvili). Progress was made in the study of metal composition, technology and problems of its protection, research of ancient Georgian metallurgical origins and mining research in the headwaters of the Rioni River (G. Gobejishvili, T. Mujiri), the Colchis Lowland and Abkhazia (N. Khoshtaria, I. Gdzelishvili, D. Khakhutaishvili, Sh. Chartolani, G. Bghazhba and others), Shida and Kvemo Kartli (O. Ghambashidze, A. Apakidze, R. Abramishvili, I. Gdzelishvili), Kakheti (K. Pitskhelauri, Sh. Dedabrishvili, B. Maisuradze).

In recent years, electronic computing techniques have been widely introduced in archaeology: a test model of an automated information search system was created (B. Gugushvili, I. Gagoshidze, V. Licheli); Aerial photo-planning materials and cosmophotography data are now used more often to enhance the effectiveness of archaeological reconnaissance and search.

Monographic archaeological exhibitions, on the level of modern standards, are organized at the largest repository of archaeological monuments — the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, museums of Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, Zugdidi, Nokalakevi, Vani and Mtskheta (A. Javakhishvili, L. Chilashvili, P. Zakaraia, O. Lortkipanidze, D. Tushabramishvili, R. Puturidze, V. Licheli and others). Archaeological exhibitions were organized in Bichvinta, Mtskheta, Cheremi, and others (A. Apakidze, G. Lortkipanidze, K. Pitskhelauri). Georgian archaeologists participate in the work of international conferences, symposia, and congresses. International conferences, symposia and sessions, symposia devoted to the most important archaeological problems (Greek colonization of the Black Sea coast, chronology-periodization of Bronze Age cultures, etc.) are held here. The Archaeological Foundation of Georgia was established (1991) in order to develop archaeological research and strengthen the conservation of findings.

Literature: აბდუშელიშვილი მ., კავკასიის ანთროპოლოგია ბრინჯაოს ხანაში, თბ., 1982; აფაქიძე ა., ქართული საბჭოთა არქეოლოგიის განვითარების ნახევარსაუკუნოვანი გზა, თბ., 1972; გობეჯიშვილი გ., არქეოლოგიური გათხრები საბჭოთა საქართველოში, თბ., 1952; გოგაძე ე., კოლხეთის ბრინჯაოს და ადრეული რკინის ხანის ნამოსახლართა კულტურა, თბ., 1982; ინაძე მ., აღმოსავლეთ შავიზღვისპირეთის ბერძნული კოლონიზაცია, თბ., 1982; მაჩაბელი კ., ძველი საქართველოს ვერცხლი, , თბ., 1983; საქართველოს არქეოლოგია, თბ., 1959; საქართველოს არქეოლოგია, ტ. 1 - 2, თბ., 1990-92; ქავთარაძე გ., საქართველოს ენეოლით-ბრინჯაოს ხანის არქეოლოგიური კულტურების ქრონოლოგია ახალი მონაცემების შუქზე, თბ., 1981.

A. Apakidze