Colchian Pottery from Gonio-Apsaros Fort

Abstract

 Archaeological excavations conducted over the years on the territory of the Gonio-Apsaros Fort have revealed a number of important and noteworthy archaeological materials from various periods. The absolute majority of them belong to the Ottoman (15^th-19^th centuries), Byzantine (6^th-7^th centuries) and Roman (^1st-3^rd centuries) periods. However, recent discoveries also include materials from earlier periods (Classical 5^th century), Hellenistic (4^th-1^st centuries), and Dune Settlement (8^th-7^th centuries). In this regard, the artifacts discovered in the central section of the fort (SW I sector) in 2023 were particularly interesting. In previous years, the expedition studied the cultural layers of the Ottoman and Roman periods here. In order to establish a stratigraphic picture, control and test trenches were conducted throughout the area in 2023, which revealed a 8^th-7^th century BC. Dune layer dated to the 8^th-7^th centuries and accompanying archaeological material: pots and a jug, characteristic of the Colchian culture. The presented article will discuss them.