Roman Silver Objects from the Ancient Kingdom of Kartli (Caucasian Iberia) in Georgia (Mtskheta, Dedoplis Gora [Kareli district]) – a Lead Isotope Investigation

Abstract

Seven silver objects from antique Georgia, e. g. a raven and a goddess Diana sculpture, have been archaeometallurgically investigated. Six are dated into the 1^st century AD and have been found in a burnt down palace at “Dedoplis Gora”. They are all strongly affected by  a fire which was caused by an earthquake in 80 AD. Another object of study is a fragmented silver box of the 3^rd century AD, excavated  at Mtskheta, the old capital of the Kingdom of Kartli. All objects come from a time of great political influence from Rome. The  provenance investigation by lead isotope analysis points not only to three different sources in the Roman Empire, the Central Balkans, the Cévennes (Massif Central) in France and the Pangeon Mountains in northern Greece, but also to lead-silver mines in Iran.