A medieval treasure trove of about 250 coins, including those dating to the period of Georgian famed 12th century Queen Tamar’s reign, has been found in Samshvilde, a ruined walled city and archaeological site in southern Georgia, Georgia’s ministry of education, culture and sports said on Friday. The coins were found buried in a wooden box beneath the floor in a hall of the fortified city.
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| Credit: Новости-Грузия |
"According to the archaeologists, the box held about 250 Georgian and foreign coins. Some coins are dated to the reigns of three Georgian monarchs: George III (1156-1184), Queen Tamar (1184-1213), and George IV Lasha the Resplendent (1213-1223)," the ministry said.
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| Credit: Новости-Грузия |
"One of the coins of Queen Tamar’s period has a legend reading: ‘Great queen, the glory of the country and faith, Tamar the daughter of George, messiah follower.’"
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| Credit: Новости-Грузия |
"Along with the coins, the wooden box held copper ingots and die plates meant for hand-hammering of coins, which indicates that there was a mint in Samshvilde," the ministry added.
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| Credit: Новости-Грузия |
Samshvilde, one of the oldest fortified towns in Georgia dating back to the 3rd century BC, was built near the confluence of two rivers, on a land surrounded by ravines. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a fortress. Samshvilde is put on the list of Georgia’s National Heritage.
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| Credit: Новости-Грузия |
The citadel consists of massive walls, towers and three churches, the biggest one of them being the domed Sioni Church of the 7th century.
Source: TASS [August 04, 2018]
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