COPPER METALLURGY IN ANCIENT KOLKHIS AND WRITTEN SOURCES

Abstract

The archaeometallurgical sites that were discovered in the 60s – 70s of the 20th century on the ancient area of Colchis were believed to be associated with iron metallurgy. As a respectively researchers sought out sources, literary references,
and myths to gather information about iron. 
However, modern research in the 21st century brought about a complete change in this interpretation. The scientific re-examination of previously studied sites revealed new data indicating that copper was smelted at the majority of them.
The archaeological findings are corroborated by data that is also preserved in written sources. It is known that ancient Eastern, Antiquities, Byzantine, Armenian documentary, narrative, and literary records provide information about the development of metallurgy in the historical territory of Georgia, particularly ancient Colchis. This includes mining and processing of copper/bronze, iron, brass, gold, and silver. For now, our focus will be solely on the references found in ancient Eastern and Antiquities sources that discuss copper production in ancient Colchis.