Samshvilde
Samshvilde – one of the oldest historic castle-towns in east Georgia, near the present Samshvilde village (Tetritskaro municipality) in historical Kvemo Kartli (coordinates: 41.302438 44.300540). It has survived as ruins. Naturally fortified cape, on two sides of which there are rocky vertical ravines (wall was built along the third side), located at the confluence of Chivchavi and Khrami (Ktsia) rivers was chosen for the town. It was built according to Georgian traditions by Georgian’s eponym Kartlos. Its initial name was “Tsikhe Orbisa” (the Eagle’s Castle). In historical sources it is also mentioned under general Georgian name of the main castle – “Dedatsikhe” (“Mother Castle”). With the formation of Kartli state (IV-III c.c. B.C.) it was the center of Samshvilde Saeristavo. From time to time it was the princes’ residence.
In 1968- 1970 early Bronze Age settlement and cemetery of early stage of Mtkvari- Araks culture was excavated near the ruined town. Ruined settlements were discovered on the south slope of Karknali mountain. The village had favorable natural conditions, in particular, are usable for extensive agriculture. 2 cultural layers were excavated. The buildings were located on the slope. Walls of the buildings of the first layer (middle of IV millennium) were ruined. Ceramic ware, found here (light color crockery of various tonalities) is distinguished by the smoothness of forms and archaism. Various obsidian instruments and exfoliated fragments, bearing the traces of use, were found (some of them are retouched). In the II layer (beginning of III millennium B.C.) semi-circular stone foundation of three-fold wall of cult structure of circular layout was discovered. Storage pits were found. Ceramic ware has certain relation to the crockery of the 1st layer and is similar to crockery found in the cemetery. Dark color and black ceramic ware predominates. Semi-spherical ears of crockery, etc. begin to appear. Arrow heads with obsidian eyes, fragments most of which have the traces of use and hand mill stones were found in the same layer. Is it supposed that one of the centers of handicraft manufacturing (crockery, faience, grass ware and adornments) existed in Samshvilde (mid feudal period, when Samshvilde was a town). Cemeteries discovered in Samshvilde (directions O-W and N-S) were arranged in four lines and basically represented large rectangular tombs built in pits with stone plates or boulders. These were family, collective cemeteries. The bodies were placed there with their arms and feet bent. Two tombs belonged to cult servants. Ware with obsidian “windows” as well as with astral symbols, pin with spiral bronze head, etc. were found there. Spiral temporal rings and multi-spiral pegs were found in the cemetery. The found crockery is similar to the ceramic ware discovered in the II layer of the ruined settlement. 5 cemeteries of feudal period were also discovered there.
