Ancient treasures discovered in Mtskheta
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Treasures unearthed from a property in Mtskheta could change Georgia history.
A local man from Mtskheta discovered variety of ancient treasures and jewellery in a necropolis, located on his private property last month.
Photo by Georgia's National Museum.
Expert archaeologists then excavated the site and discovered a Medieval necropolis (ancient cemetery) and unearthed unique treasures, including gold hooks, pins, rings, clothing fasteners and a Byzantine Emperor Constantine VIII coin, who ruled the Byzantine Empire for three years from 1025 until 1028.
Photo by Ministry of Culture.
Now, Georgian authorities are questioning their understanding of Georgian history.
Photo by Ministry of Culture.
The country’s National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation said discovery of the gold coin proved locals were buried in Mtskheta earlier than previously thought. Until now it is believed people were buried there between the 4th and 6th Centuries but the discovery meant burials took place much earlier - in the Middle Ages.
The necropolis was studied and experts identified five types of burials: hole burial chamber, clay tile burial chamber, sandstone slabs stone burial chambers, stone built and stone slab burial tombs.
An Agency representative said some had been buried in a family crypt while others were laid in individual graves but they were all mostly buried in a Christian way.
The tombs were first discovered in July this year on private land. In accordance with Georgian law, work on the agricultural land was halted while archaeologists studied the area.
The items will go on display in Tbilisi later this year before being permanently exhibited in Mtskheta’s renovated museum, an Agency spokesperson said.
Photo by Ministry of Culture.
"The Cultural Heritage Agency has immediately begun work to allow the collected artefacts gain movable monument status,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, a project to establish a museum in Mtskheta has been agreed. By the end of this year the project is expected to be completed and rehabilitation - construction work on the building will begin in early 2015.
Rehabilitation of Mtskheta Museum is being funded by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
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