Arkneti Necropolis

Arkneti Necropolis, or Vasastskaro Necropolis, is a 1st-century BC archeological monument near Arkneti Village (Kareli municipality) in a place called Vasastskaro. Archeological excavations in 1951 (headed by O. Japaridze) revealed numerous burial pits and jar burials. Two burial pits were covered by a layer of clay. In each grave, archeologists found one (in one case, three) body remains resting on the side with its hands and feet folded. In jar burials, there were instances of buried couples. In one large clay pitcher-shaped jar, there were two infant skeletons.

Inside the burials, archeologists found polished black pottery and red clay pitchers and bowls; bronze bracelets, bells, and round earrings; glass and carnelian beads; blue glass multisided seals; and Parthian silver coins of Sinatruces (77–70 BC), Phraates III (70–57 BC), and Orodes I (57–37 BC).

Litarature: ჯაფარიძე ო., არქეოლოგიური გათხრები სოფ. არკნეთში, «თსუ შრომები», 1956, ტ. 63.

I. Gagoshidze