Didnauri City
Archaeological Discoveries in Georgia
The Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age archaeological site in Georgia is located in the steppes of the Shiraki Plain, in the southeastern municipality of Dedoplis Tskaro. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, which supports ongoing fieldwork, has described it as "the largest ancient settlement ever discovered" in the South Caucasus. The site is included in Georgia's list of immovable cultural heritage monuments.
Didnauri City was discovered in 2014 through satellite imagery on the western part of the Shiraki Plain, used as agricultural land. Initial excavations revealed the ruins of a large settlement, which the team of Georgian archaeologists dated to the period between the 12th and 9th century BCE. The settlement is surrounded by a defensive wall 1.5 km long and 7 meters wide, made of clay and wooden beams. The wall's scale and design are unique, as described by the expedition led by archaeologist Konstantin Pitskhelauri. The nature of the wall's destruction suggests an unexpected natural disaster, presumably an earthquake. Among other damaged structures, several buildings were discovered, including those apparently used for religious rituals, water supply systems, and four tombs. Artifacts from the early 10th century BCE were found in the tombs, such as ceramic vessels, stone tools, and bronze items. One of the tombs belonged to a high-class warrior buried with his dagger, while an arrowhead of non-local origin was located in the area of his stomach.
Based on the artifacts and the honors with which the commander was buried, it can be assumed that the city successfully repelled foreign invaders.
The Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age archaeological site in Georgia is located in the steppes of the Shiraki Plain, in the southeastern municipality of Dedoplis Tskaro. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, which supports ongoing fieldwork, has described it as "the largest ancient settlement ever discovered" in the South Caucasus. The site is included in Georgia's list of immovable cultural heritage monuments.
Didnauri City was discovered in 2014 through satellite imagery on the western part of the Shiraki Plain, used as agricultural land. Initial excavations revealed the ruins of a large settlement, which the team of Georgian archaeologists dated to the period between the 12th and 9th century BCE. The settlement is surrounded by a defensive wall 1.5 km long and 7 meters wide, made of clay and wooden beams. The wall's scale and design are unique, as described by the expedition led by archaeologist Konstantin Pitskhelauri. The nature of the wall's destruction suggests an unexpected natural disaster, presumably an earthquake. Among other damaged structures, several buildings were discovered, including those apparently used for religious rituals, water supply systems, and four tombs. Artifacts from the early 10th century BCE were found in the tombs, such as ceramic vessels, stone tools, and bronze items. One of the tombs belonged to a high-class warrior buried with his dagger, while an arrowhead of non-local origin was located in the area of his stomach.
Based on the artifacts and the honors with which the commander was buried, it can be assumed that the city successfully repelled foreign invaders.
