Grape Culture in Ancient Georgia

Archaeological, archaeobotanical, and historical evidence confirms Georgia as the ancient center of vine culture, with grape domestication dating back to at least 8000 years ago. Artifacts such as ceramic vessels from Mtskheta (IV-III millennium BC), Trialeti gold and silver wine cups (XVIII-XVII centuries BC), and bronze tools from the Alazani Valley (III-II millennium BC) substantiate advanced viticulture practices, including pruning techniques predating Christianity. These findings, alongside ritual objects like those in Katlanikhev, highlight Georgia's deep-rooted cultural significance of grapes, symbolizing abundance and immortality in its pagan pantheon. The study integrates written sources from classical antiquity with material culture to trace the continuous evolution of grape culture and its economic importance across millennia.

Gugushvili, N. (2023). Grape Culture in Ancient Georgia. IJOPEC Publication. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.23517661