History of Animal Husbandry in Georgia - Origins, Formation, Development from Prehistory to Modernity

Livestock husbandry represents one of the earliest and most enduring forms of economic activity among the Georgian people. Archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence indicates that the domestication and systematic management of animals began in prehistoric times, with roots extending back to the Paleolithic period.  Material evidence supporting early animal domestication has been recovered from numerous archaeological sites.

From the Neolithic period onward, significant transformations in subsistence strategies are observed. Animals were increasingly employed as draft power, facilitating agricultural intensification. Cultic architecture was also enriched with animal symbolism, including bull-headed figurines and decorated altar elements, such as pillar capitals discovered at Khovle and related sites.The advancement of dairy husbandry is confirmed by the abundance and diversity of milk-processing and storage vessels, including churns and specialized containers. Notably, many later settlements were established on sites originally used as animal enclosures, suggesting long-term continuity in land use.

Animal imagery is widely attested in the archaeological record. At the Brili burial ground (18th–14th centuries BC), sculptures depicting rams, dogs, snakes, riders, and horse-drawn chariots have been uncovered, alongside remains of woolen textiles. Bronze figurines representing shepherds and sheepdogs, as well as composite symbolic forms, reflect the cultural and ideological importance of pastoralism and nomadic traditions. Indigenous horse breeds of exceptional quality constituted valuable export commodities in antiquity.The distinctive characteristics of the Colchian sheep are reflected in one interpretative version of the myth of the Golden Fleece, linking animal husbandry  with broader cultural and mythological narratives. Moreover, adaptive breeding practices in mountainous regions led to the formation of resilient cattle breeds capable of thriving in high-altitude environments, demonstrating early knowledge of selective breeding and environmental adaptation.

In conclusion, this overview highlights the continuous and dynamic development of livestock husbandry in Georgia from the earliest stages of human civilization. The archaeological record illustrates not only the economic significance of livestock but also its profound cultural, symbolic, and technological roles, supported by long-standing traditions of animal care, feeding practices, and proto-veterinary knowledge.