The recent discovery of Dmanisis Gora, an ancient fortress in the Caucasus mountains, has transformed archaeological perspectives on early urban settlements. This monumental finding is the result of cutting-edge drone technology, which revealed the settlement to be far larger and more intricate than previously imagined. Spearheaded by Dr. Nathaniel Erb-Satullo of Cranfield University and Dimitri Jachvliani of the Georgian National Museum, the project combines aerial imaging, satellite data, and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to explore a site that holds global significance.

How Drone Technology Unlocked the Past

When initial ground surveys revealed tantalizing glimpses of fortifications and other stone structures, researchers knew they needed a new perspective. “That was what sparked the idea of using a drone to assess the site from the air,” commented Dr. Erb-Satullo. Using a DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone, the team captured nearly 11,000 high-resolution photographs, which were processed into advanced digital elevation models and orthophotos—composite images providing a bird’s-eye view of the settlement.

“The drone took nearly 11,000 pictures which were knitted together using advanced software to produce high-resolution digital elevation models and orthophotos—composite pictures that show every point as if you were looking straight down,” explained Dr. Erb-Satullo. “These datasets enabled us to identify subtle topographic features and create accurate maps of all the fortification walls, graves, field systems, and other stone structures within the outer settlement. The results of this survey showed that the site was more than 40 times larger than originally thought, including a large outer settlement defended by a 1km-long fortification wall.”

Such detailed imaging uncovered features that would have remained invisible from the ground, such as complex systems of fortifications and seasonal settlement patterns. “The use of drones has allowed us to understand the significance of the site and document it in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible on the ground,” said Dr. Erb-Satullo.

A Fortress at the Crossroads of Cultures

Dmanisis Gora’s location in the Southern Caucasus, a region historically at the intersection of Europe, the Eurasian Steppe, and the Middle East, makes it a unique cultural crossroads. Researchers hypothesize that the site grew through interactions with mobile pastoral groups, whose seasonal movements may have driven the expansion and contraction of the settlement. This dynamic interplay between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles reflects a broader pattern in the evolution of Bronze and Iron Age societies.

“We hypothesize that Dmanisis Gora expanded because of its interactions with mobile pastoral groups, and its large outer settlement may have expanded and contracted seasonally,” Dr. Erb-Satullo explained. “With the site now extensively mapped, further study will start to provide insights into areas such as population density and intensity, livestock movements, and agricultural practices, among others.”

Broader Implications for Ancient Urbanism

This groundbreaking research has far-reaching implications for understanding the diversity in the structure of early large-scale settlements. As archaeologists continue to analyze the artifacts, including pottery shards and animal remains, they hope to uncover new insights into the daily lives and social structures of the fortress’s inhabitants. Dmanisis Gora not only sheds light on the Caucasus region but also contributes to a growing body of knowledge about the complexities of ancient urbanization worldwide.

Dr. Erb-Satullo emphasized the significance of these findings: “Dmanisis Gora isn’t just a significant find for the Southern Caucasus region, but has a broader significance for the diversity in the structure of large-scale settlements and their formation processes.”

The Future of Archaeological Discovery

The integration of aerial technology with traditional excavation methods marks a new era in archaeological research. By combining drones, historical satellite imagery, and GIS, the Dmanisis Gora project exemplifies how modern tools can revolutionize our understanding of ancient history. As researchers delve deeper into the site’s past, they aim to unravel mysteries about its population dynamics, economic systems, and cultural exchanges.

The discovery of Dmanisis Gora highlights the potential of innovative methodologies to uncover hidden stories of human resilience and ingenuity, offering a vivid window into a world that thrived three millennia ago.

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