Necropolis of Etso
Necropolis of Etso is an archaeological site of the 4th-1st centuries BC near the village of Varkhuno, in the river Chivchavi Canyon, at the site “Etso” (Tetritskaro Municipality). It was excavated in 1986–1988 (Z. Shatberashvili). The graves are on a slope, at a depth of 0.2–1.3 m from the ground surface. 120 graves were studied — the majority are stone coffins, 9 are flat graves, one of which was covered with a fragment of a wine-jar (kvevri). The deceased were buried in a bent or curled-up positions. Three main chronological groups are distinguished in accordance with the material. The majority of the graves of the first group date back to the 4th-3rd centuries BC. They are characterized by pear-shaped ceramic jugs (some of them are painted with red paint), jars, iron bracelets, iron weapons (11 spears and 4 axes have been discovered). Statistically, it appears that every third man in Kvemo Kartli was armed. The majority of the excavated graves correspond to the material found at the synchronous monuments of Kartli. Only in one grave was a bronze bracelet found and it has a Colchian appearance.
The second chronological group includes graves from the 2nd century BC. They are characterized by oval or round-bodied jugs, painted ceramics, and glass beads with gold or silver lining. The third group includes graves dating back to the 1st century BC. The discovered material is similar to the material from the Samtavro jar burials.
The historical period of the 4th-1st centuries BC is very important in terms of the formation and development of Georgian statehood. The archaeological study of the necropolis of Etso provides interesting additional material for the study of the historical and material culture of the Kingdom of Iberia. The archaeological material is kept in the Tetritskaro Local Museum.
V. Shatberashvili
