Nigvziani - Studies on a Significant Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Cemetery of the Colchian Culture in Western Georgia

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Joni Apakidze
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 565664686

The Nigvziani cemetery is located in the eponymous village in the western Georgian municipality of Lanchkthuti, 18 kilometers from the Black Sea coast. The necropolis is one of the most outstanding archaeological sites of the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age Colchis Culture in Georgia and is considered exemplary for the whole of the Caucasus region. Although its finds and features offer enormous potential, the necropolis of Nigvzieni has so far been published only incompletely. The graves were excavated in 1974-1976 by the Colchis Archaeological Expedition led by Teimuraz Mikeladze and Malkhaz Baramidze. Unfortunately, both excavators have passed away, which is why the applicant has taken over their legacy with the processing of the material. Since the Nigvziani cemetery was not fully excavated by Mikeladze, we now plan to excavate areas so far not investigated, with the aim of uncovering another burial pit and documenting it using modern techniques. The main objective is to further clarify the chronology of the site and to obtain organic material for scientific analyses. Apart from clarifying the chronology of the Nigvziani cemetery, the overarching scientific objectives of the project are: examining the character, function, and socio-cultural significance of the collective pit graves; exploring the significance and role of hoards; investigating the supra-regional connections and interactions of the Colchis Culture; conducting typological classification and studies of bronze and iron objects as well as ceramics, beads, and jewelry; and utilizing the potential of methodologically innovative approaches. A total area of 200 m2 was previously excavated. One cult site and ten collective grave pits were uncovered. The original excavator referred to the cult site as the "Place of the Hoes", due to the large number of such tools found there. The number of metal finds is unique among the cult sites of the Colchis Culture. They represent an important chronological link to the bronze hoards of this culture and therefore deserve comprehensive re-documentation, analysis, and publication in the international research literature. The artefacts from the Nigvziani cemetery excavations are now kept in the Museum of the Colchis Culture in Poti (Georgia). Around 2000 objects will be reanalyzed, with the aim to produce a comprehensive volume on these materials. To achieve the outlined research objectives, we will apply the following investigations: archaeological excavations; digital topographic surveys (DEM, orthophotos etc.); 14C dating to help clarify the chronology of the Nigvziani graves; anthropological, palaeobotanical investigations and metal analyses; restoration and conservation of the finds; documentation and analysis of the artifacts and features. The final result will be a published monograph in German.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Georgia
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. David Lordkipanidze