The Royal Tombs from Mtskheta, the Problem of the Location of the Royal Burial Site

Abstract

The Notice of Leonty Mroveli is the only historical source that specifies the location of the pagan kings and the graves of their family members. It is also the unique source that mentions that king Parnavaz was buried next to the feet of the statue of the Armazi idol. However, we do not know in reality how or where the kings were buried before the king Mirian, the first Christian king, or if there was any regularity in choosing the location of the graves.

According to common custom, before Christianity, the tombs of kings were mostly located near populated areas of the city. We think that the tombs of the Iberian kings should be located at Mtskheta town. Yet, no indications have been found of it in the excavated graves of Mtskheta. However, there were four graves which thought to be the representatives of the royal family. A tomb of the unknown queen was discovered near the railway line next to the Armazi castle, and dates to the second half of the I century A. D. The second is grave N905 from Samtavro Necropolis in which 2 individuals (females) were buried in tomb. The individuals are considered to be the family members of King Parsman II the Valiant. The grave dates back to the beginning of the II century A. D. The third grave is from the garden of Svetitskhoveli church. The tomb N14 belonged to queen Ulpia (the wife of king Ustam) dates back to the II half of the II century A. D. The last fourth tomb is also considered to be related to the family of King Ustam from the end of II and the beginning of the III century A. D. It was located next to the Armazi castle. Unfortunately, not a single skeleton was found in the tomb for further analysis.

As we see, in the course of past archaeological expeditions to Mtskheta, significant material was collected to discuss the answer to the question of whether the locations of the burial sites were based on some system. Considering all the circumstances, the royal family members were used to buried in the Armaztsikhe (near the railway). We also think that mentioned N905 and N14 tombs were placed right next to pagan temples. Those temples were located at the same place where nowadays Samtavro and Svetitskhoveli churches are situated. We think that the tradition of constructing tombs next to the pagan temples began with King Parnavaz when he was buried next to the feet of Armazi Idol.