Georgian Archaeologists head to Jordan to plan works on Georgian desert monastery ruins
Georgian Archaeologists head to Jordan to plan works on Georgian desert monastery ruins

A team of Georgian archaeologists has travelled to Jordan to plan archaeological work on the ruins of the Georgian desert monastery located on Mount Shihan in the city of Karak, the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia reported.

This initiative follows an agreement made in July during a working visit by Georgia’s Minister of Culture to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Led by Tbilisi State University Professor Vakhtang Licheli, the team will carry out reconnaissance archaeological work and develop a comprehensive plan for large-scale archaeological activities on the site. They are working in collaboration with local archaeologists and representatives from the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The Georgian desert monastery on Mount Shihan was established in the 11th century by the Georgian cleric Gabriel Tbileli and existed until the 13th century. This site holds significant historical value, and several manuscripts from the monastery are preserved in the library of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem.