Middle and early Upper Paleolithic settlement of the Georgian caucasus: A general perspective
Tsikaridze N. Mgeladze A. Aghapishvili T. Tielidze L. Coil R. Chagelishvili R. Kvavadze E. Tskvitinidze N. Kopaliani G. Vanishvili N. Dvali G. Khachapuridze A. Prat S. Péan S. Puaud S. Bonilauri S. Jaillet S. Messager E. Moncel M.-H. Patou-Mathis M. Panchulidze S. Bidzinashvili G. Nioradze G.
15 November 2025Elsevier Ltd
Quaternary Science Reviews
2025#368
The extent of the Middle Paleolithic (MP) and the transition between the Middle and Upper Paleolithic (UP) in the South Caucasus have been studied for decades, but still many questions remain. In the South Caucasus, there are few securely dated MP and UP sites, despite being rich in cave settlements typologically attributed to these periods. In this article we will be concentrating on the Georgian side of the Caucasus, where only a few Paleolithic sites have been excavated using modern standards. Newly launched archaeological research in the caves of Tsutskhavti, Sakazhia, and Ortvala, and upcoming work at Tsopi and Djruchula, gives us a unique opportunity to expand interdisciplinary research on questions surrounding the origins of the MP and the chronology of the MP/UP transition in Georgia. In this article, we discuss preliminary results of ongoing research and discoveries at the MP and UP sites of Georgia.
Archaeology , Caucasus , Environment , Georgia , Neanderthals , Ortvala , Paleolithic , Sakazhia , Tsopi , Tsutskhvati
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School of Arts and Sciences, Ilia State University, Cholokashvili Str. 5, Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia
Free University of Tbilisi, 240 Davit Aghmashenebeli Ave, Tbilisi, 0159, Georgia
Paleoanthropology and Paleobiology Research Institute, Georgian National Museum, Purtseladze Str 3, Tbilisi, 0105, Georgia
Securing Antarcticas Environmental Future, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia
School of Sciences and Humanities, Sociology and Anthropology Department, Nazarbayev University 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave 010000, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Geology and Paleontology, Georgian National Museum, Purtseladze Str 3, Tbilisi, 0105, Georgia
The Faculty of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, European University, 76 David Guramishvili Ave, Tbilisi, 0141, Georgia
Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques (HNHP/UMR 7194-CNRS/MNHN/UPVD), Muséum national dHistoire naturelle, Paris, France
Centre de Recherche en Archéologie, Archéosciences, Histoire (UMR 6566 CReAAH), Rennes, France
CNRS, UMR, 5204, EDYTEM (Environnements, Dynamiques et Territoires de la Montagne), Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Le Bourget Du Lac, France
The Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University 1, Tchavtchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia
Otar Lortkipanidze Archeological Research Center, Georgian National Museum, Purtseladze Str 3, Tbilisi, 0105, Georgia
Faculty of Humanities, Sokhumi State University, 61 Politkovskaya Street, Tbilisi, 0186, Georgia
School of Arts and Sciences
Free University of Tbilisi
Paleoanthropology and Paleobiology Research Institute
Securing Antarcticas Environmental Future
School of Natural Sciences and Medicine
School of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Geology and Paleontology
The Faculty of Law
Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques (HNHP/UMR 7194-CNRS/MNHN/UPVD)
Centre de Recherche en Archéologie
CNRS
The Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences
Otar Lortkipanidze Archeological Research Center
Faculty of Humanities
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