New findings highlight ancient Petra Fortress, Georgia’s Black Sea tourist spot
Tweet 
Share
Fresh archaeological discovery at Georgia's ancient Black Sea coastline Petra Fortress has provided historians with insight of 6th century contest between the Byzantine and Sasanian empires, ahead of upcoming tourist development on the site.
The latest findings on the territory of the ancient stronghold were made "a few days ago", press office of Adjara Autonomous Republic Government Chair Zurab Pataridze announced today.
Located 25km north of regional capital Batumi, the fortress city dates back to 535AD and is located in today's Tsikhisdziri village, with latest round of archaeological work ongoing on its territory for the past two years.
Items and instruments discovered at Petra Fortress during recent archaeological works. Photo: Adjara government chair press office.
Today's announcement by the local government said the digs had resulted in discovery of ancient weapons, household items, work instruments and human remains.
The combat items include iron axes, short swords, spearheads and arrowheads, a helmet as well as fragments of chainmail armour and shield.
Silver coins were among the findings unearthed by archaeologists. Photo: Adjara government chair press office.
Other findings were ceramic items for daily usage, 95 silver coins and fragments of burnt human bones, indicating a destructive battle for one of the towers of the fort. The remains were well preserved due to absence of any effort to restore the tower following its destruction.
Archaeologists believe the battle on Petra territory was part of the 541-562AD Lazic War for the Egrisi Kingdom between the Sasanian and Byzantine empires.
The site of the excavation at the fort. Photo: Adjara government chair press office.
The Petra Fortress served as an East Roman outpost on Black Sea in the 6th century. The site is promoted as one of the primary tourist destinations in Adjara, and was highlighted in a recent state tourism ad on seven destinations to visit in the region.
The area of the ancient fortress city is now subject of a 2 million GEL (about 835,000 USD/710,000 EUR*) ongoing governmental plan that involves building a visitor centre and opening "other tourist spaces" near the fort.
* Currency rates are according to today's National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.
Yesterday Georgia’s Minister of Culture and Monument Protection visited the historic reserve and observed the excavation works with chairman of the Adjara Government , director of Georgia’s National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservationand director of Adjara’s Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
A unique ancient Roman mosaic has been discovered at the Gonio Castle site in the seaside region of Adjara in western Georgia during archaeological works by a joint Georgian-Polish team.
Latest findings at western Georgia's Pichvnari excavation site have given historians material to enrich their studies of ancient Black Sea settlements following series of recent discoveries in the region.
A new tourism destination has been added to the list of sightseeing in mountainous Adjara. Covered in green, the Black Lake will become available for tourists this time next year.
Restoration work in Georgia’s east has surprised historians with a fresh discovery of the grave of the prominent king of an 11th century eastern Georgian kingdom this week.
A joint work by Georgian and German archaeologists on a Bronze Age settlement of western Georgia's Colchis Kingdom has revealed multiple layers of traces of the ancient culture.
Poland will become the first country to have a permanent mission of archaeologists working in Georgia, as the two countries gear up for an expansion of cultural relations starting in 2018.
Tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy a new route in mountainous Adjara, in the country’s west, starting from next year.
Locals and travelers know Ajara for its summer holiday seaside attractions, however the western Georgian region has much more to offer its visitors, as a new video shows.
The Petra Fortress, remains of an early medieval fort on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, will soon boast brand-new infrastructure for visitors, cementing the place of the monument for the Adjara province.
Photos have emerged of the Petra Fortress - remains of a 6th century Roman outpost on the Black Sea coast - following a 2 million GEL ($584,000/€480,000) update of its visitor infrastructure, however the date of the reopening of the site is not yet established.
Visitors of Georgia’s medieval Khikhani Fortress in the Black Sea region of Adjara will enjoy new tourist infrastructure starting next year, the Adjara Tourism Administration announced on Wednesday.
A $135,000 grant from the United States Embassy in Georgia will support conservation of mosaics discovered at the remains of the 6th century coastline Petra Fort in western Georgia’s Kobuleti municipality and its surrounding area.