Two Cemeteries at Takhtidziri Georgia: Late Achaemenid-early Hellenistic and Late Hellenistic-early Roman

Description

Two Cemeteries at Takhtidziri (Georgia): Late Achaemenid-Early Hellenistic and Late Hellenistic-Early Roman publishes excavations at two cemeteries located near to the village of Takhtidziri in Shida Kartli, the central region of Georgia. The first features Late Achaemenid-Early Hellenistic graves belonging to the representatives of the ruling family of a minor territorial-administrative unit, part of the only state that the Persians (Achaemenids) encountered in the Caucasus and which was referred to as Kolkhida by the Greeks. The other cemetery dates to the 1st century BC-1st century AD and was used by non-elite members of the community. The grave goods recovered through excavation are diverse and point to the fact that the kingdom of Kartli (Caucasian Iberia) was involved in international trade and economic relations in the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman period. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents How this book was written Introduction Iulon Gagoshidze 1. The History of Archaeological Excavations of Takhtidziri Cemeteries Iulon Gagoshidze 2. The Late Achaemenid-Early Hellenistic Period Cemetery 2.1 Introduction (Iulon Gagoshidze) 2.2 The Structure of Graves and Burial Practice (Iulon Gagoshidze) The Structure of the Graves Coffins Insignia and Retainers Horse and Dog Offering Charon’s Obol (D. Kacharava) Gold Plates as Charon’s Obols Ingots Casket (N. Gogiberidze) 2.3 Grave Goods (Iulon Gagoshidze) Pottery Local Pottery (T. Chanishvili) Imported Ceramics Graffiti (M. Nasidze) Glassware Metalware Cymbals Standard Household Equipment and Weapons Horse’s Harness Toiletries Glyptic Artifacts Imported Gems (K. Javakhishvili) Jewellery (N. Gogiberidze) Bells (T. Chanishvili) Objects Connected with Apotropaic Magic ‘Calendar’ Coins (M. Sherozia) 2.4 Conclusion (Iulon Gagoshidze) 2.5 Catalogue (Iulon Gagoshidze, Nana Gogiberidze) Grave no. 1 Grave no. 2 Grave no. 3 Grave no. 4 Grave no. 5 Grave no. 6 Grave no. 7 Grave no. 8 (and no. 13) Group no. 1: material found in the south-west part of the burial (grave no. 13) Group no. 2: artefacts found near the horse’s skeleton Group no. 3: artefacts found near the skull of the child (no. 2) Group no. 4: inventory of the principal deceased no. 1 Group no. 5: south of skeleton no. 3, at the southern edge of the pit Group no. 6: the material found in the eastern part of the burial pit, east of skeleton no. 1, within the area described by coffin nails Grave no. 9 Grave no. 11 Grave no. 12 Grave no. 14 Grave no. 15 Grave no. 16 Grave no. 17 Grave no. 18 Grave no. 19 Grave no. 20 Grave no. 36 (32) Grave no. 37 Grave no. 38 Grave no. 39 Grave no. 40 Grave no. 41 Artefacts from the cultural layer Artefacts kept in Kareli Museum of Local Lore from Late Achaemenid - Early Hellenistic burials 3. The Late Hellenistic – Early Roman period Cemetery David Gagoshidze 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Structure of Graves and Burial Practice 3.3 Conclusion 3.4 Description of Burials and Grave Goods Grave no. 21 Grave no. 22 Grave no. 23 Grave no. 24 Grave no. 25 Grave no. 26 Grave no. 27 Grave no. 28 Grave no. 29 Grave no. 30 Grave no. 31 4. Technical Investigation of Metal Artifacts Discovered at Takhtidziri Nino Kalandadze, Nino Kebuladze 4.1 Research Methodology 4.2 Outcomes of Research Group I Group II Group III Group IV Group V Group VI 4.3 Conclusion References