Gadachrili Gora: Architecture and organisation of a Neolithic settlement in the middle Kura Valley (6th millennium BC, Georgia)

International audienceThe mechanisms responsible for the emergence of a farming economy in Transcaucasia have been thesubject of much debate since the 1970's. This debate has focused particularly on the role played by Near-Eastern influences in the development of the Shulaveri-Shomu culture, which emerged in the Kura Basinat the end of the 7th millennium BC. Recently, archaeological investigations have been conducted by aGeorgian-French team in Gadachrili Gora, one of four “Shulaveri group” tells located on a tributary of theChrami River in the Kvemo-Kartli plain of Georgia. Dating evidence clearly places the first levels of thistell in an early phase of the development of the culture, between 5920 and 5720 Cal BC. These investigationsprovide new evidence regarding the processes of neolithisation, especially in terms ofsettlement organisation and the architectural techniques used at the time. Several occupation levelsfeature connected circular units, of various sizes, together with “courtyards”, which were used as circulatione or waste disposal areas. The density and organisation of these structures display differentpatterns for the two distinct levels of occupation preserved. Evidence from the deepest occupation levelssuggests a high density of occupation in the settlement, with complex episodes of destruction andrebuilding. Several building techniques were used, including different types of bricks laid in variouspatterns depending on wall types. In addition, there is evidence for the use of the “bauge” constructiontechnique, which was unknown in the region until now. Parallels established with the constructiontechniques of Northern Iran and Mesopotamia contribute to the discussion regarding the processesunderlying the emergence of the Shulaveri culture. Moreover, the high number of storage structures andthe discovery of organized built spaces dedicated to storage raise many questions about the status of thesite, the organisation of agricultural practices, and the relationship of these populations to the hydrographicnetwork within the area