Archaeological Excavations at Irmis Rka: An Investigation of a Multi-Layered Settlement in Southwest Georgia

This volume reports 2020 excavations at Irmis Rka in southwest
Georgia, revealing Early Bronze Age Kura‑Araxes and Bedeni culture layers, later Late
Bronze–Early Iron Age fortifications, and medieval activity. The site traces the full
development of the Kura‑Araxes tradition and provides valuable new data for ongoing
research.

This volume presents the results of the 2020 season excavations conducted by the Georgian National Museum at the multi-layered settlement of Irmis Rka, located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti province in southwest Georgia. Excavations on the site have confirmed the presence of pits and domestic architecture from the Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes Culture, as well as deposits of the subsequent Bedeni Culture, along with abundant related materials. The site reveals signs of occupation during the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age, with evidence of fortification and various artefacts. Additionally, medieval activities have been documented. The site demonstrates the full evolution of the Kura-Araxes tradition, offering perspectives to illustrate its gradual changes and development. One of the site’s most significant aspects is the presence of the Bedeni culture, marking its first appearance in this area. While excavations at Irmis Rka are ongoing, the results presented here contribute new data to a wide range of discussions.

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

List of Contributors

Introduction: Historical and geographical settings of the region

The site description

Excavations at the Irmis Rka Settlement

Excavation of lower debris: Pits

Excavation of the hill slope

Radiocarbon dates

Pottery Assemblage

Artefact Collections

Lithic Assemblage from the Irmis Rka Settlement (Nikiloz Tskvitinidze)

Bone tools from the Irmis Rka Settlement (Mariam Eloshvili)

Zooarchaeological materials from the Irmis Rka settlement (Nikoloz Vanishvili)

Palynology of organic remains obtained from the archaeological deposits and ceramic vessels of the Irmis Rka Settlement (Eliso Kvavadze and Maia Chichinadze)

Preliminary report of the archaeobotanical study of the Irmis Rka settlement (Nana Rusishvili)

Conclusions

Bibliography

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• By (author) Nikoloz Tskvitinidze
• By (author) Giorgi Kirkitadze
• By (author) Nikoloz Vanishvili
• By (author) Eliso Kvavadze
• By (author) Maia Chichinadze
• By (author) Marine Chkadua
• By (author) Nana Rusishvili