A New Centre of Metallurgy in Kvemo Kartli

Abstract

In 2020, the expedition of the Otar Lortkipanidze Institute of Archaeological Studies of the Georgian National Museum undertook a reconnaissance survey (led by B. Murvanidze) in the Marneuli municipality on the right bank of the river Mtkvari (Tab. I1). Near the village of Pirveli Kesalo, a stone mould for chisel was discovered along with pottery (Tab. I2). Laboratory research revealed that bronze chisels were cast into the mould. Archaeological material dates back to the 8th-7th centuries BC (Tab. I3-17).

The stone mould found on the site indicates that in the 8th-7th centuries BC there was a metal workshop in this area. Thus, in the region of Kvemo Kartli, famous for the production of metal, another metallurgical centre has been discovered.