Archeological Expedition of Lechkhumi
By Mariam Chanishvili
Monday, July 29
The archaeological team of Georgian National Museum is taking place in the archaeological expedition of Lechkhumi (on the territories of the villages Dekhviri and Tskheta).
Lechkhumi, a historic province in northwestern Georgia, comprises the area along the middle basin of the Rioni and Tskhenistskali and also the Lajanuri river valley.
Archeological excavations, which are underway at the legendary pre-historic site of Kolkheti and Dekhviri Fortress, are being implemented by Tsageri municipality financing since 2012.
The expedition began on July 20, 2019, and will end on 29 July.
During the ongoing expedition, cultural colonies of Colchis were found from different eras, including ceramics and old artifacts of metallurgy.
Also, a complex of Dekhviri Fortress has been studied where small Basilica churches have been found.
The discovered material will be transferred to the Tsageri Historical Museum.
The head of the expedition, Nino Sulava is the Doctor of Historic Science.
Archeological excavations on the territory of Dekhviri not only confirm the existing data but add new information every year.
The expeditions have been taking place annually for the 8th year. Archaeological expedition of Georgian National Museum has discovered the remains of medieval fortress together with a number of pitchers on the location.
Georgian National Museum was established at the end of 2004 and preserving the nation's rich, authentic content of cultural heritage provides learning experiences for everyone. It supports the care and management of the nation's collections, both material, and living, to expand and sustain access for current and future generations.
Tsageri Historical Museum houses archaeological collections from Lower Svaneti and Lechkhumi regions (West Georgia) mostly are dated Bronze Age and Antiquity periods. Among the items are: bronze horse rider, bronze treasury, stylized eastern and Cholchian bronze axes, Caucasian sickle, Hittite bridle, Stone Age implements – axes, arrowheads, knives; a collection of coins – the coin of Alexander the Great, Cholchian tetri, etc.; rare books (XIX c.).
