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Archaeology
Fieldwork
Research
Reports
Site
Map
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Anglo-Georgian Expedition to Nokalakevi: Archaeology
Fieldwork
There are
presently two areas within the lower town under excavation.
Trench A,
located next to the 6th century gatehouse was opened in the 2001 season and extended in 2004 to a 14m
x 14m area. The early years of excavation saw a sequence of wall
collapse and construction layers dating to the Roman and Byzantine
periods. In 2003 and later in 2006 and 2007, furnished Hellenistic period burials were uncovered as well as indications of a structure of
the
3rd century
BC.
Trench
B was opened in 2002 (7.5m x 7.5m) and extended in 2003. Thus
far we have uncovered the part of the old ecclesiastical enclosure
and a number of burials of various dates from around the 6th
century to the modern period. Other finds from both trenches
include arrows and knives of the 4th through 6th century AD,
fragments of painted wall plaster, a great deal of glass, ceramics
and building materials, a fragment of cross with Greek inscription
(dated to the 6th century AD), and a small gold enamel object.
It is hoped that a third area will be opened within the next
few seasons in to investigate parts of the citadel.
Research
As the most important site in West Georgia during various periods, the
elaboration of the site chronology can be useful for understanding developments
in west Georgia as a whole. In particular, the archaeology holds the
potential to improve our understanding of a number of problems raised
by the lack
of historical documentation for certain periods of west Georgian history.
It is notable that the history of Lazika-Colchis is well documented for
the sixth century, but only sketchily recorded in other periods of literature.
The main sources for the history of West Georgia before the tenth century
are Greek, Roman and Byzantine historians and the East Georgian chronicle,
Kartlis Cxovreba, the earlier parts of which appear not to have been
written down in their present form before the tenth century.
Earlier archaeological work at sites across West Georgia suggests that
from Antiquity they followed a cyclical chronology of strong central
authority corresponding to economic development followed by the collapse
of central authority and the corresponding collapse of economic development
as illustrated by the wealth of burials and the survival of stone buildings
in occupational sites.
There are sufficient moments of historical documentation to allow us
to potentially tie together various site chronologies across Georgia.
What would be most helpful would be a pottery chronology that would allow
us to date the various phases of occupation more precisely and to link
events across sites. This work
will have
a
significant impact on both regional and national pottery
studies and will enable greater definition of inter-regional
trade and acculturation.
Future isotopic analysis of the skeletal material
will indirectly supplement the phasing of the archaeological
levels by determining the origin of the interred remains,
thus alluding to the occupational force of the time.
Reports
Follow this link to view site and specialists reports.
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