Samshvilde, Georgia. A Settlement of the Kura-Arax Culture in Georgia. The Excavations from 2021 to 2023

Abstract

Samshvilde is a site of the Kura-Arax culture. Research into this site began in the 1960s and resulted in the discovery of a settlement and a burial ground. The excavations resumed in 2021 was initially intended to record the extent of the site. It became clear that another burial ground to the northwest of the already known burial ground began immediately to the south of the settlement. Sections were made in three areas. As graves were found in all three areas, a second necropolis measuring approx. 130 × 200 m can be assumed. Among the grave finds, a so-called horseshoe-shaped grave is particularly noteworthy. The findings date back to the last quarter of the 4^th millennium BC.