New tiers and caves have been discovered at the historical Vardzia complex in Georgia’s southwest by researchers, with artifacts also found at the site in a newly initiated project.
Two new tiers on the Western slope of the cave complex with ten previously unseen caves, storage facilities and items were revealed during the first stage of a five-year project for preservation and development of Vardzia. Beside residential and storage areas the explorers found items including ceramic dishes and accessories.
The dishes of "simple" shapes and decorations were found in pieces and glued together for interpretation by experts who said hey had also found tiles used to complete tombstones and roofs in the late 13th century.
New residential and storage areas were discovered during the research at Vardzia. Photo by Ministry of Culture of Georgia.
Areas of the new discovery were visited by Minister of Culture Mikheil Giorgadze and Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency director Nikoloz Antidze. The Culture Ministry said the research and conservation work was aimed to prepare a management plan for Vardzia and "comprehensively represent the monument within the UNESCO World Heritage list”.
The international project for preservation and development of the monument was initiated by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. The program receives state funding and is led by a group of international and Georgian experts.