Ancient artifacts from Rustavi fortress shed light on Georgia's medieval wars

Iron helmets and chainmail were discovered during the excavation, reflecting the high manufacturing techniques and diverse cultural influences of the Middle Ages.

During excavations at the Rustavi fortress in Georgia, archaeologists found helmets and chainmail dating back to the Middle Ages. Photo: Rustavi History Museum/Facebook.

According to experts, the two artifacts date back to the 9th or 10th century. They are extremely well preserved compared to many artifacts of the same period. Photo: Rustavi History Museum/Facebook.

These are also the only artifacts of their kind found in the South Caucasus region to date. Photo: Rustavi History Museum/Facebook.

The Rustavi Fortress is one of the oldest in the region, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. The latest finds at the site have helped fill an important gap in the archaeological record, as very few medieval armors have been found in the Caucasus, especially in such a good state of preservation. Photo: Rustavi History Museum.

The helmet and chainmail were found during excavations of the sixth room of the Rustavi fortress, which officially began in July 2025. The project was originally set up to study the palace complex inside the historic fortress, dating back to the 9th-12th centuries. Photo: Mehman Ibragimov/CC BY-SA 4.0.

During the excavation, experts found many ancient artifacts, most notably iron helmets and chain mail. Photo: eurasia.travel.

The researchers say the helmets were designed with influences from the Byzantine or Persian helmets, while the chainmail was made from interconnected metal rings. Photo: eurasia.travel.

The two artifacts above show that they were created by highly skilled craftsmen. They could have belonged to an elite soldier, or even a commander stationed at the Rustavi fortress. Photo: eurasia.travel.

The discovery of both helmets and chainmail is direct evidence that they played an important role in medieval warfare in Georgia. Their manufacturing methods may have been influenced by Arab, Byzantine and other cultures. Photo: eurasia.travel.

Preliminary examinations suggest that the metal used to make the helmets and chainmail was likely produced locally, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship and engineering in the area. Photo: eurasia.travel.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/hien-vat-co-dai-tu-phao-dai-rustavi-he-lo-chien-tranh-trung-co-georgia-post2149066928.html