A 10th–11th century pottery workshop found beneath Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, archaeologists discovered a pottery workshop and fragments of vessels during repairs to Rustaveli Avenue, preliminarily dated to the period between the 10th and 11th centuries. The discovery was made at a depth of about six metres beneath one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Discovery beneath the central avenue
Work on Rustaveli Avenue began in the summer. The project includes the construction of pedestrian crossings, improved road navigation and other upgrades. The repairs caused traffic disruptions and complaints from residents, but also gave archaeologists a rare opportunity to explore the city’s past.
National Museum Director David Lordkipanidze noted that Tbilisi is rich in archaeological materials, so the discovery of workshops from different historical periods is to be expected. The National Museum is located near the excavation site.
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Dating the ceramics
A preliminary analysis of the ornaments indicates that the ceramic fragments may date from between the 10th and 11th centuries. According to the publication, during this period Tbilisi was under Arab rule and was an important point on the Silk Road. The finds are planned to be transferred to the National Museum for 3D scanning and further research.
Medieval Georgian chronicles date the founding of Tbilisi to the 4th century, when Vakhtang I ruled the Kingdom of Kartli in what is now eastern Georgia. During the medieval period, the city came under the control of, among others, the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, as well as the Seljuk Empire. Lordkipanidze described Tbilisi as a multicultural and important economic centre of the region.
The mayor of Tbilisi promised an “organized and modern” result of the repairs. Workers are also working at night to meet the November deadline.
