Hellenistic period trade-economic relation between Greek and Colchis according to new archaeological finds from Nokalakevi

Abstract

The thesis refers to the Hellenistic period’s imported ceramic materials (amphorae, lutherie, plate, salt cellar) fabricants and fabric centers. The Nokalakevi site is located in Senaki municipality, 16 km. North of the town of Senaki, on the left bank of the river Tekhuri. Since the 1930’s archaeological excavation have unearthed different archaeological layers dated back to the 8th-7th cc. B.C. workshop settlement and ritual square, a 6th-4th cc. B.C. settlement, a 3rd-1st cc. B.C. settlement and burials, and the 4th - 6th A.D. cc. ruins of the capital of the Egrisi kingdom. Since 2001 Anglo-Georgian expedition carried out archaeological works continuously, expedition worked in the different parts of the settlement and unearthed Hellenistic period settlements and burials with local and imported archaeological materials. The appearance of the imported materials in Colchis means their trade relations between the Greek world and Colchis. There is unearthed a lot of ceramic materials produced in the city of Sinope, mostly there are amphorae fragments and two amphorae handles with the stamp on them. Expedition has unearthed ceramic materials from different industrial centers. We have examined black and red-covered artefacts dated back to the 3rd-2nd centuries B.C.