Tbilisi Mayor: Rustaveli Avenue overhaul in full swing; no grounds yet to suggest archaeological finds will delay completion

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, accompanied by Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and Acting Minister of Culture Mikheil Kiknadze, has inspected ongoing rehabilitation and archaeological works on Rustaveli Avenue.

During the overhaul of the capital’s main thoroughfare, historical artefacts were discovered along the section between the National Youth Palace and the Georgian National Museum, revealing a ceramics workshop dating back to the X-XI centuries in Old Tbilisi.

Upon the discovery, Tbilisi City Hall immediately suspended rehabilitation works across the affected area. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia was promptly notified, and, per their recommendations, a specialist archaeological team was deployed to examine the heritage site.

“Works on Rustaveli Avenue are in an active phase, during which archaeological artefacts were uncovered on site. Naturally, we halted rehabilitation works on this specific stretch straight away, and the archaeological team commenced their investigation. We are looking at discoveries from the X and XI centuries, which are immensely significant for our city. We will await the conclusion of their study.

As for the other sections, the primary task across the avenue is upgrading underground utilities to ensure this infrastructure lasts for decades to come. The overall project is scheduled for completion by late November, and at this stage, we face no operational issues. Construction is paused on just a single segment due to the archaeological finds, but the team is working very swiftly. As things stand, we have no grounds to state that the works will be extended. Should the necessity arise, we will address it openly. Regarding local businesses, we have received no formal appeals; pedestrian access along the avenue remains unrestricted. However, if business owners wish to meet, we are fully open to discussions; our door is open to everyone,” Kakha Kaladze stated.

Professor Merab Dneladze, alongside archaeologists from the Georgian Technical University, is conducting field research on Rustaveli Avenue. Once field investigations are complete, experts will analyse and conserve the artefacts before putting them on display at the Tbilisi Historic-Ethnographic Museum.

This historic site, which once formed part of the Silk Road network, provides vital insights into daily life in medieval Tbilisi. The discovery is considered of paramount importance for historical research, offering a deeper understanding of the city’s medieval urban development, craftsmanship, and daily life.

The site inspection was also attended by Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani, Head of the Municipal Infrastructure Development Department Giorgi Abutidze, Mtatsminda District Governor Davit Kirkitadze, and General Director of the Georgian National Museum Davit Lordkipanidze, according to information released by Tbilisi City Hall.