Gonio – Apsaros

Gonio – Apsaros

• Project name:

  Gonio–Apsaros Polish–Georgian Expedition /1

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• Type of site:

  Roman (later Byzantine and Ottoman) fortress

  Location:

  Georgia
  Autonomous Republic of Adjara
  Ancient Colchis

  Dating:

  – Roman period (Roman fortress, 2nd half of 1st century AD – 1st half of 3rd century AD)
  – Byzantine period (Byzantine fortress: 2nd half of 6th century AD – 8th century AD)
  – Turkish fortress – 2nd half of the 16th century – 1st half of the 18th century

Most interesting finds:

– Garrison granary (horreum) from the time of Nero (2nd half of 1st century AD)
– Garrison thermae (balneum) and latrine from the time of Trajan (early 2nd century AD)
– Garrison commander’s house (praetorium) from Hadrian’s time (30s 2nd century AD)
– Floor mosaics from the garrison commander’s house
– Roman period wine press discovered behind the fortress walls
– Commandery (principia) from the time of Trajan and Hadrian (1st half of the 2nd century AD)
– A kiln for firing construction ceramics from the time of Trajan (early 2nd century AD)
– Kiln for firing pottery (most likely amphoras) from the 2nd half of the 2nd or 1st half of the 3rd century AD
– Foundations of defensive walls not preserved on the surface from the time of Nero (2nd half of the 1st century AD) and from the time of Trajan and Hadrian (1st half of the 2nd century AD)

History of research:

Dates of PCMA mission’s work:

From 2022 – excavation research of the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, UW

2014-2021 – excavation research inside the Roman fortress Institute of Archaeology, UW

2012 – geophysical research of the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, UW / Institute of Archaeology UW

Type of research:

Research: geophysical, geological (including drilling), LIDAR Aerial Laser Scanning, surface research, excavations

Directors:

Radosław Karasiewicz-Szczypiorski (Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, UW)
Natalia Lockley (Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, UW)
Shota Mamuladze (Gonio-Apsaros Archaeological and Architectural Site)

Co-operating institutions:

– Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw
– Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw
– Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency of Ajara

Additional information:

Past research has been financed by the University of Warsaw from various sources: central funds, as well as funds of the Dean of the Faculty of History and the Director of the Institute of Archaeology. The cost was covered partly by the PCMA UW. Other sponsors included the University of Warsaw Foundation and the “Varia” Foundation of the Faculty of History, University of Warsaw. A non-financial contribution was made by the Rainbow Travel Agency and the “ARCHEOGATOS” Company.

The research was also funded by the National Science Center awarded under contract: UMO-2017/26/M/HS3/00758

Description of the site and research:

Gonio-Apsaros is considered the most important and valuable protected site in Adjara. The well-preserved defensive walls (Late Roman and Byzantine) are a particular attraction for tourists. The most significant discovery from the garrison commander’s house is the mosaic floor, which is not currently accessible to the public. In the future, the best-preserved mosaics will be displayed at the site of the find in a specially built pavilion. Fragments of other mosaics will be displayed in 2024 as part of a new exhibition at a museum in the fortress. Another special find is the so-called Golden Treasure of Gonio. A large collection of accidentally discovered gold objects, dating to the first centuries AD, is available at the Batumi Archaeological Museum.

Gallery: