Archaeologists working in southern Georgia are uncovering new evidence that challenges long-held assumptions about life in the region’s highlands.
Fieldwork on the Javakheti Plateau has revealed a dense network of settlements, fortifications and burial sites, pointing to a forgotten civilisation that sustained human activity over thousands of years.
The research forms part of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Project, a Georgian–Italian collaboration underway since 2017. Results published by Cambridge University Press record more than 168 archaeological sites, dating from the Early Bronze Age through to the medieval era.
Earlier work in the Javakheti highlands was limited in scope. Recent surveys draw on satellite imagery, GPS mapping and ground recording to track how sites are distributed across the plateau. Fortified locations, domestic areas and necropolises appear in clusters, often positioned on elevated ground.
Large stone structures built from unworked blocks—described as “Cyclopean”—are common. Some of these sites were likely used on a temporary basis, possibly linked to seasonal pastoral activity. Evidence from several locations points to repeated occupation rather than permanent settlement.
Excavation at Baraleti Natsargora, a mound in the central plateau, has provided a clearer sequence. Archaeologists have identified multiple layers of occupation, along with traces of burning, defensive walls and domestic remains. The name of the site, often translated as “hill of ashes”, reflects these burn layers. Material recovered so far dates from around 3500–500 BC.
A bronze solar disk recovered in the area carries concentric decoration and perforations. Similar objects from southern Georgia are usually linked to burial contexts, often associated with female graves. The Baraleti example is thought to have originated from a nearby funerary setting.
At Meghreki Fortress, further east, excavation has revealed a long sequence of occupation extending from the Early Bronze Age through the Iron Age and into the medieval period. Structural remains include perimeter walls, storage areas and domestic buildings, showing repeated phases of construction and reuse.
Two domestic structures at the site contained clay installations, likely ovens or raised platforms, alongside decorated plaques. These plaques carry incised geometric designs with traces of red, white and dark blue pigment. Such decoration is uncommon in the region, though comparable finds elsewhere suggest links to spaces with particular status or function.
Taken together, the survey and excavation results point to a landscape shaped by movement, reuse and adaptation. Fortified sites appear to have served more than a single purpose, while material evidence indicates connections between upland and lowland communities.
Work on the project continues. Further excavation, radiocarbon dating and environmental analysis are planned, alongside more detailed study of ceramics and symbolic artefacts. The evidence now emerging places the Javakheti highlands within wider patterns of interaction across the South Caucasus, rather than on its margins.
Header Image Credit : Samtskhe-Javakheti Project
Sources : Antiquity – https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2026.10331
