In Lechkhumi, in the village of Dogurashi, Tsageri Municipality, archaeologists have discovered a unique Bronze Age metallurgical production complex dating back approximately 3,000 years.
The Ministry of Culture of Georgia reports that the complex was found by specialists from the National Museum of Georgia, alongside foreign researchers, during an archaeological expedition. The site, which the ministry notes is associated with metal smelting and was dated by an Oxford University laboratory to the 13th–9th centuries BC, is the largest known workshop of its kind to date in ancient Colchis.
Researchers reported that the complex fully reflects the complex process of metal production and confirms that during the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age, Lechkhumi was one of the most important metallurgical centers of mountainous Colchis and played a leading role in copper production in the Caucasus.
The archaeological expedition is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Georgia. The work is organized by the National Museum of Georgia under the leadership of Doctor of Archaeology Nana Rezesidze. The study of the ancient copper-smelting workshops is led by Doctor of Historical Sciences Nino Sulava. Specialists from the UK, Israel, and Italy are also participating in the excavations.
The discovered artifacts have already been viewed by David Lordkipanidze, Director General of the National Museum of Georgia, Papuna Margvelashvili, State Representative in the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, as well as representatives of local authorities and invited guests.
