Another success of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Georgia: a new scientific article titled “Understanding Fortress-Cities: High-Resolution LiDAR Mapping of Samshvildé, South Caucasus, Republic of Georgia” has been published. The article presents the results of digital and high-tech research conducted on the Samshvildé archaeological site.
The authors are: Professor David Berikashvili (University of Georgia), Professor Sean Field (University of Wyoming, USA), and Professor Ian Keithe (University of Notre Dame, USA).
The technology known as LiDAR has only been applied to archaeological sites in recent years. Its use has already enabled the study of previously unknown temple structures of the Inca and Maya civilizations in Central America.
It is noteworthy that LiDAR scanning of the Samshvildé site has also produced highly significant results. In particular, previously unknown elements of the fortress were identified, including several towers, a central gate, fortification structures, and more. As a result, the archaeological landscape and overall configuration of the historical site of Samshvildé are now understood in a completely new way.
The project was carried out under the leadership of Professor David Berikashvili of the University of Georgia, head of the Samshvildé Archaeological Expedition, in collaboration with two leading American universities. These include the University of Notre Dame, known for its research on medieval castles and fortifications, and the University of Wyoming, which hosts one of the world’s most advanced research institutes in digital archaeology.
The article has been published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, which focuses exclusively on high-impact research employing advanced technological and digital methods.
Article link: Archaeological Prospection | Archaeological Journal | Wiley Online Library
