არქეოლოგიური გათხრები ილმაზლოს მრავალფენიან ნამოსახლარზე

Abstract

The settlement is located near the village of Ilmazlo in the Marneuli Municipality, on the right bank of the Mtkvari River (Fig. I_1-2). Excavations conducted at the site on multiple occasions have revealed cultural layers from various periods, spanning from the Early Bronze Age to the 9^th-10^th centuries CE.
In 2024, different levels of the cultural layer dating to the Early Middle Ages were revealed at the settlement, where remains of wooden and mudbrick structures, hearths, and storage pits were uncovered (Fig. II-IX). The majority of artifacts were ceramic vessels. Glassware and glass bracelets were also found. Among the stone materials, notable finds include millstones and stone lids, as well as a marble basin. From the category of jewellery, a bronze pin and a carnelian ring were discovered (Tab. X-XI).
The material dates from the 5^th to 9^th centuries CE. During excavation, samples of ceramics from the Classical period were frequently encountered; however, no intact cultural layers from this period were identified (Fig. XI_21,22,24). Nevertheless, it can be assumed that there was a relatively intensive settlement here during the 4^th-3^rd centuries BCE.
The excavated material represents a significant source for reconstructing the economic life of the population of Kvemo Kartli during the Early Middle Ages. Soil samples revealed the presence of two species of wheat, barley, millet, grapevine, flax, pea, lentil, ervil, broad bean, cotton, hemp, peach, and walnut. The analysis of osteological material indicates that, alongside other branches of agriculture, the population primarily engaged in the husbandry of small ruminants (sheep and goats). Cattle were kept to a lesser extent, while pigs were even less common. The proportion of wild animal remains is low, suggesting that the community’s demand for meat was met predominantly through the exploitation of domestic livestock. The settlement was affected by fire. Its destruction is presumably linked to the Arab commander Abul Qasim’s invasion in the South Caucasus in 914 CE.