Drone Mapping Unveils 3,500-Year-Old Megafortress in Georgia

The discovery sheds light on ancient South Caucasus societies, blending nomadic herding with fortified settlements.

Archaeologists used drone technology to map the Dmanisis Gora site, revealing a sprawling 3,500-year-old fortress in southern Georgia's Caucasus Mountains.
The fortress, which spans up to 80 hectares, features double-layered stone walls, residential compounds, animal pens, and burial sites, suggesting a mix of permanent and seasonal use.
Researchers hypothesize the outer settlement may have served as a seasonal stopover for nomadic herders migrating between lowlands and highlands.
The site offers insights into advanced planning, defense strategies, and resilience during the Late Bronze Age collapse, a period of widespread upheaval in the ancient world.
The study combines drone imagery with historical Cold War satellite photos, providing a detailed understanding of the settlement's evolution and its interaction with surrounding landscapes.