Chalcolithic Settlement at Bronze Cave, Tsutskhvati Cave Complex (Republic of Georgia, Imereti).

Abstract

1.6.1.2.3. Chalcolithic Settlement at Bronze Cave, Tsutskhvati Cave Complex (Republic of Georgia, Imereti). /N. Tskvitinidze, N. Tsikaridze, E. Kvavadze, D. Lordkipanidze/. Bulletin of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences (Moambe). – 2020. – v. 14. – #2. – pp. 127-131. – eng.; abs.: geo., eng.

The present paper provides a brief research of new Chalcolithic materials discovered at the bronze cave, Tsutskhvati cave complex. A small number of Chalcolithic sites in West Georgia enhances importance of this discovery and makes it unique. The Chalcolithic culture of West Georgia is very distinct. It has close connections with both the earlier Neolithic culture, and the later Early Bronze. Compared to the Neolithic period, the Chalcolithic lithic and ceramic industries show change. Lithic techniques are more concentrated on pressure flaking, while pottery loses decorative elements and becomes focused on the utilitarian functionality without aesthetic embellishment. The discovery of copper objects and crucibles shows evidence of cold forging and the emergence of metallurgy. Previously, the upper layers of Bronze cave thought to belong the Early Bronze Age, but following a comparative-typological analysis of the discovered materials, we can conclude that the Bronze cave was inhabited in the Chalcolithic era and used as a permanent or temporary shelter. This discovery provides us with important update about West Georgian Chalcolithic period, enriches its scarce collections, is a novelty for the site and finally this research is important to qualify holistically the process of site formation. Fig. 4, Ref. 14.

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