Archaeology of the Beshtasheni Settlement and its Surroundings (Stratigraphy and chronology)

Ancient Near Eastern Studies, 2019

By Giorgi Bedianashvili, Claudia Sagona, Catherine Longford, Inga Martkoplishvili, with the assistance of Levan Losaberidze and Giorgi Kirkitadze Presented here is a preliminary account of excavations carried out at the site of Rabati (Meskhet-Javakheti region, southwest Georgia) in 2016 and 2018 by the Georgian-Australian Investigations in Archaeology (GAIA) project. At this multi-period site, architectural remains and a range of cultural artefacts span the Chalcolithic, through Bronze and Iron Ages, to the medieval period. Specific cultural finds have included Bedeni and Trialeti deposits characterised by distinctive pottery types and, importantly, contemporary common wares representing an otherwise little-known local domestic ceramic industry. Archaeobotanical and palynological analyses reflect on the agricultural economy at the site, which included cultivated cereals and other edible plants

The 2010-2011 activities of the Shida Kartli archaeological project by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum included excavation, the study of unpublished material, and a remote-sensing-assisted geomorphological survey. Two kurgans of the EBA (Bedeni) and LB period were excavated at Okherakhevi. At Natsargora, the study of the settlement material from the old Georgian excavation was completed, and a new excavation area was opened on top of the mound. In spite of the poor preservation of the EBA layers, important results were obtained concerning the relative and absolute chronology of the Kura-Araxes and Bedeni cultures.

Ancient Near Eastern Studies 50 (2013)

Once a restricted military zone, the Akhaltsikhe-Aspindza region within the Samtskhe-Javakheti province of Georgia is now the focus of archaeological investigations. This paper brings together the main data from three years of fieldwork at the ancient site of Chobareti, situated at 1610 metres above sea level, which has so far revealed a Kura-Araxes settlement and burials, and a late Antique/Medieval stronghold. * recorded artefacts then lodged them with the newly established museums of the Caucasus, enriching their collections. One such case occurred in the Akhaltsikhe region, close to the River Ockhe, where in 1886 pottery and coins were found during construction works. 3

w w w . b r e t s c h n e i d e r -o n l i n e . i t / r d a FARFALLE NELL'EGEO 2007] 5 Abstract The Shida Kartli Archaeological project is a collaborative endeavour of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the Georgian National Museum, dedicated to the investigation of the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age cultures of the Shida Kartli province of Georgia and of their relations with the contemporary cultures of the northern regions of the Near East. The paper presents the results of the first two field seasons (2009 and 2010) of the project. The main activities were the study of the unpublished material from the important EBA settlement and cemetery of Natsargora in the Khashuri district in the western part of the province, the excavation of two kurgans at Okherakhevi at its eastern border, between the Kaspi and Mtskheta districts, and a remote-sensing-assisted geo-morphological and archaeological survey of the province. A program of sampling for archaeometric analyses and radiometric dating of different Early Bronze Age sites of the region was also launched.

Anatolia Antiqua, 2014

TSU-ti — THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES (ed. Nana Gaprindashvili)

Archaeological excavations in the Samtskhe region in recent years have revealed many important discoveries, which in turn, significantly increased our knowledge of the prehistory of the Caucasus region in general. However, the results rose new questions related to various issues, mainly concerning the sequence of cultures and their relationship.In 2020, Archaeological excavations at the Irmis Rka settlement have revealed the layers of Kura-Araxes and Bedeni cultures and demonstrated a clear stratigraphic picture of how the Kura-Araxes deposit is covered by the layer of following Bedeni culture. Such continuity at one site is quite rare for Georgian archaeology – similar evidence has been confirmed at the few sites, but for the first time in southwest Georgia. This data provides an opportunity to investigate socio-cultural changes in the region during the 3rd millennium BC.Even though there is a chronological gap between Kura-Araxes and Bedeni cultures according to radiocarbon dates,...

* We would like to thank Giulio Palumbi who reviewed this lengthy paper and provided very useful feedback.

2011

w w w . b r e t s c h n e i d e r -o n l i n e . i t / r d a FARFALLE NELL'EGEO 2007] 5 Abstract The Shida Kartli Archaeological project is a collaborative endeavour of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the Georgian National Museum, dedicated to the investigation of the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age cultures of the Shida Kartli province of Georgia and of their relations with the contemporary cultures of the northern regions of the Near East. The paper presents the results of the first two field seasons (2009 and 2010) of the project. The main activities were the study of the unpublished material from the important EBA settlement and cemetery of Natsargora in the Khashuri district in the western part of the province, the excavation of two kurgans at Okherakhevi at its eastern border, between the Kaspi and Mtskheta districts, and a remote-sensing-assisted geo-morphological and archaeological survey of the province. A program of sampling for archaeometric analyses and radiometric dating of different Early Bronze Age sites of the region was also launched.

SPEKALI, 2019

Presented field work has been carried in frames of future Phd project scoped to recognize and catalogue late antique/early medieval defensive features. During autumn of 2017th author has undertaken, archaeological survey of the site located on western peripheries of Stepantsminda town. Site localization and its topography carrying pattern of immense artificial modifications, brought idea of possible site significance. Chronology of recorded features cannot be precisely established at this stage of research. None of dating artefacts have been collected from discovered archaeological structures. Paper published on 2019 on http://www.spekali.tsu.ge/index.php/en/article/viewArticle/13/209

2013

pp., 23 tables, 22 figures, reference list, 48 titles. This thesis presents the results of geoarchaeological investigations conducted at two new test pits, M11 and M12, at the paleoanthropological site of Dmanisi during the 2012 field season. This research is important for understanding the site formation processes occurring along the north-south axis of the Dmanisi site and how that affects the chronostratigraphic sequence and interpretation of archaeological materials here. With these excavations we can build a stronger interpretation for how broader areas of this site formed and changed both geologically and archaeologically. The geologic results of this study indicate that changes in sediment deposition and development episodes can affect interpretations of how long these sediments accumulated, how likely bones are to preserve, as well as how secondary gravel deposition can influence several archaeological interpretations. The archaeological results suggest that there could have been changes in occupation intensity between the stratum A and B phases although different rates of sediment deposition and surface stability could affect such artifact accumulations. In addition, during the stratum B phase there appears to be little change in artifact procurement behaviors and reduction characteristics by these hominins. The overall results of this research indicate that geologic factors should be addressed and cautions should be taken prior to making interpretations about archaeological assemblages.

Eurasia Antiqua, 2015

Brief investigations, conducted on the Akhalkalaki Plateau in South Georgia in 2012, sought to evaluate the archaeological potential of this strategic mountainous region located at the crossroad of several networks of communication. With a focus on the 4th and 3rd Millennium BCE, the combination of satellite imagery analysis, landscape observations, intensive surface collection, and cleaning of an exposed modern disturbance provide rich information on the Early and Late Bronze Age occupation of Baraletis Gora/Amagleba as well as on regional changes in landscape use. This newly acquired data offers solid ground for future research in this high-altitude environment.

saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi G e o r g i a n N a t i o n a l M u s e u m Tbilisi 2010 Tbilisi mTavari redaqtori gela gamyreliZe (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) inglisuri teqstis redaqtori maikl vikeri (oqsfordis universiteti, didi britaneTi) saredaqcio sabWo: nino erqomaiSvili (BP saqarTvelo) guram kvirkvelia (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) goderZi narimaniSvili (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) vaJa sadraZe (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) zurab cqvitiniZe (BP saqarTvelo) mixeil wereTeli (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) asistentebi: maia Carkviani (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) mariam kvaWaZe (saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi) Editor in-chief gela gamkrelidze (Georgian National Museum) Editor of English text Michael Vickers (University of Oxford) Editors: nino erkomaishvili (BP Georgia) guram kvirkvelia (Georgian National Museum) goderdzi narimanishvili (Georgian National Museum) Vazha sadradze (Georgian National Museum) Michael Tsereteli (Georgian National Museum) Zurab Tskvitinidze (BP Georgia) Assistants: Maia charkviani (Georgian National Museum) Mariam kvachadze (Georgian National Museum) © saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi, 2010 Georgian National Museum, 2010 ISBN 978-99940-980-4-0 saqarTvelos erovnuli muzeumi madlobas uxdis BP-s da M mis partniorebs mxardaWerisaTvis Georgian National Museum expresses gratitude to the BP and its Partners for their support V baqo-Tbilisi-jeihani samxreT kavkasiis milsadeni da arqeologia saqarTveloSi baqo-Tbilisi-jeihani samxreT kavkasiis milsadeni da arqeologia saqarTveloSi guram chikovani Zebede shatberashvili giorgi gogochuri development of Early Farming Cultures in Georgia). In L. Abramyan (ed.), Arkheologiya, etnografiya i fol'kloristika Kavkaza, 47-48. Echmiadzin. chikovani g. 2005: Glinianii sosud s sedmogo pogrebeniya iz rannezemledel'cheskogo poseleniya Arukhlo I (A ceramic vessel from Burial No. 7 at the Early Farming settlement Arukhlo I). In T. Bunyatov (ed.), Arkheologiya, etnografiya i folkloristika Kavkaza, 230-232. Tbilisi. chikovani g. 2005: bibilosebrpiriani tchurtchlebi aghrmosavlet sakartvelos adresamitsatmoqmedo kulturis namosakhlarebidan (Comb-rim vessels from East Georgian Early Farming Culture settlements).

The paper deals with the new radiocarbon dates of Tsikhiagora settlement, which are important because the appearance of the Bedeni culture and its coexistence with the Kura-Araxes culture was chronologically unclear. In the middle of the 3 rd millennium BC, the stable character of the Kura-Araxes culture in the South Caucasus, and in particular in Eastern Georgia, was disturbed, which, among other reasons, must have been caused by the appearance of new elements, northern and southern. The late period of development of the Kura-Araxes culture in Eastern Georgia and its relation to the early tombs was reflected in the materials of Early Bronze Age Tsikhiagora settlement. Stratigraphic data from the Tsikhiagora settlement and new radiocarbon dates allow us to assume the initial period of this cultural transformation in the first half of the 3rd millennium BC, which is important in the study of synchronization with other cultures and the genesis of the Bedeni culture.