The rugged mountains in the southern highlands of Georgia have long been perceived as a marginal region, disconnected from the broader developments of Ancient South Caucasian civilisation. However, extensive research by the Samtskhe-Javakheti Project, initiated in 2017, has challenged this perspective. Archaeologists, employing satellite imagery, GPS mapping, and systematic fieldwork, have identified at least 168 sites on the Javakheti Plateau, as detailed in a study by Cambridge University. These sites encompass diverse fortifications, burials, and domestic buildings, demonstrating the complexity and integration of the culture, linking it more closely to broader regional developments than previously thought. Instead of being viewed as barren and remote, the southern highlands of Georgia are now recognised as a vibrant cultural crossroads, marked by the remarkable resilience of humanity.
Advanced Technology Reveals Strategic Settlement Patterns
According to Cambridge University, the project utilised advanced remote sensing and GPS analysis to uncover settlement patterns, revealing strategic spatial organisation rather than random distribution. The findings indicate that people strategically positioned their communities on high ground to maintain visibility of other groups and enhance security. Furthermore, the 168 sites feature massive stone structures, known as Cyclopean architectural structures, underscoring the substantial effort invested in transforming this rugged landscape. The archaeological evidence suggests that groups of people inhabited these places seasonally or migrated, returning to the same strategic locations for several thousand years, adaptively responding to changing environmental and social conditions.
Ritualistic Roots of the Highland Past
Excavations at Baraleti Natsargora, meaning 'hill of ashes,' revealed distinct evidence of recurrent occupational fire events. The site contains multiple artefact layers dating between 3500 and 500 BCE. A notable artefact is a solar bronze disc featuring complex geometric decorative designs with perforations. Researchers suggest that items like this may have been used for ceremonial or religious purposes, indicating a continuous rich culture among highland populations connected to wider regional beliefs.
Meghreki Fortress: A Cultural Crossroads
The Meghreki Fortress provides unparalleled insight into continuous highland life, with evidence of occupation from the Early Bronze Age through the medieval era. Excavations have identified storage and living spaces, along with unique clay installations, most used as ovens, many adorned with decorative tops featuring incised geometric designs painted white, red, and dark blue. The rare evidence of painted colours on decorated plates in the South Caucasus indicates that Meghreki was not merely a remote defensive fortification but an important cultural and social centre.
