#south caucasus

[sixteenseveredhands]

Gold Turtle Necklace from Ancient Colchis (modern-day Georgia/South Caucasus) c. 450 BCE: this necklace was crafted from 31 turtle-shaped pendants, each one made of g0ld

The necklace was discovered during excavations at an archaeological site in Vani, Georgia (the country, not the state). Ancient Vani once served as the religious and administrative center for the Kingdom of Colchis; as I've previously discussed, Colchis was also known as the homeland of the fabled Golden Fleece, and to much of the ancient world, the Colchians themselves were renowned for their skills in goldsmithing.

The turtle pendants on this necklace are all decorated with ornate filigree and granulation patterns. The eyes of the 30 smaller turtles were originally made with glass inlay, while the eyes of the largest turtle (seen in the center) were made from drops of gold.

As this article also notes (translated from Georgian):

[This necklace] is unique because of the zoomorphic depiction that it presents. Among the known examples of goldsmithing from antiquity, the depiction of a turtle is not attested anywhere other than the Vani necklace. 

The local origin of the necklace is primarily indicated by the stylistic unity of the pendants with other examples of Colchian goldsmithing. It should be noted that the land turtle depicted on the pendants was widespread in Colchis.

The excavations at Vani have uncovered lots of other artifacts made by Colchian goldsmiths. These artifacts include temple ornaments, zoomorphic figures, pieces of jewelry, diadems, headdresses, hairpins, drinking vessels, and appliqués, among other things, and they've provided some really valuable insights into the unique goldsmithing traditions that existed among the peoples of Colchis -- and the myths that evolved as a result.

A few of the other golden artifacts from Vani:

Top: headdress ornament featuring an openwork design, c. 350-300 BCE; the central panel of this piece depicts a stag and three other deer, while the frame is topped by two lions and several rows of birds; Bottom: a diadem with a set of temple ornaments, c. 400-350 BCE; all of the panels along the front of the diadem depict scenes of prey animals being hunted by lions

Top: necklace with a series of ram-shaped pendants, c. 400-350 BCE; each pendant was forged from two separate castings that were sealed together to form a complete shape, and the ears/horns were then soldered onto each piece; Bottom: set of bracelets with boar finials, c. 460-440 BCE

Golden appliqués depicting various animals, c. 400-300 BCE

Set of temple ornaments that depict two pairs of riders on horseback, c. 400-350 BCE

And a map showing the location of modern-day Georgia (just for reference):

As this map illustrates, Georgia is nestled right at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, with the Black Sea located on one side and the Caspian not far from the other; it is bordered by Russia to the North and by Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to the South

Sources & More Info:

National Geographic (Georgian): Golden Kolkheti

Atinati: The Golden Kingdom of Colchis

Smithsonian: Summary of "Wine, Worship, and Sacrifice: the Golden Graves of Ancient Vani" Exhibition

Burusi (Georgian): The Archaeological Discoveries at Vani

Quaternary International: A Modern Field Investigation of the Mythical “Gold Sands” of Ancient Colchis and the “Golden Fleece” Phenomena

[ektenia]

Georgia on film by 112830mf (source)

[gregor-samsung]

Маяк [The Lighthouse] (Mariya Saakyan, 2006)  

[iurisme]

caucasus❤️‍🔥

[b1argash]

A series of photos from Khevsureti, Georgian SSR. Unknown photographer, 1957-1965

[folkvisuals]

Traditional Armenian Taraz (տարազ)

[chornaja-no4]

- what is hidden behind these mountains?

- dragons...

[head-post]

NATO Secretary General launches South Caucasus tour with Baku

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Baku on 17 March to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev amid the three-nation three-day tour across the South Caucasus.

Energy matters for our security and I welcome that Azerbaijan is developing closer and closer ties with several NATO Allies.

Stoltenberg outlined issues of mutual interest and praised Azerbaijan for its contribution to NATO-led operations and missions, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan, since Azerbaijan joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme in 1994.

The parties also co-operate within NATO’s Peace and Security programme on counter-terrorism and cyber security. The Secretary General emphasised that “peace and stability is not only important here [in the South Caucasus] but for security more broadly.”

Read more HERE

[lonnewulf]

Discover the growing tensions as Russia contemplates annexing Georgia's breakaway regions amid concerns over NATO membership. Explore the complex geopolitics in the South Caucasus.

[ektenia]

Martqopi monastery, Georgia, by 112830mf (source)

[gregor-samsung]

Маяк [The Lighthouse] (Mariya Saakyan, 2006)

[airxiem]

The statute of limitations for arson is 4 years.

It has been 4 years. I sent a molotov cocktail into the front yard of the house I was literally an inch away from being trafficked when I trusted someone I knew from the local bar scene to go hangout at his house.

It was back back back in the woods in John's Island SC. I had an iPhone at that time, I opened my camera and pressed record while the phone was in my lap before anything happened. I don't know why I did it to this day, but my Icloud account had the exact coordinates of the place, not just an address. Had I not made a call right before things got ugly, I don't want to think about what could have happened.

Long story short, I moved back to Florida in September that year, a month after this happened because I had no support up there and I spiraled quick. I went back the next February with the car I had to visit the friends I did have like I would have had I not moved out of state in a matter of 2 days after making the decision.

I visited myrtle Beach first, I had to figure out that another man I trusted was garbage and went to the area I lived the day after that disaster happened. The friend I stayed with lived in goose creek. North Charleston is where I lived.

I didn't have the extra gas, but I did it anyway. I have a video I took from my dash (I drove for lyft and it was sitting in it holder...I think...😰) I was blaring set it off by Boosie and I wrote "Bet, bitch" on it. Saved it. Didn't post.

I'd never made one, but I had everything I needed. The empty liquor bottle hid in my spare tire because I was literally saving it to smash somewhere (in a dumpster or similar not where people would step on it) crossed the Florida and Georgia state lines with me, I had a big thing of lighter fluid because I accidentally bought that instead of butane the first time I bought a torch (I had just done meth a couple times the month before, I didn't bring any and I didn't want my friends to know I'd done it) and I had a nice rag that was used to soak up a little bit of gasoline, also with the bottle hiding in my spare tire.

I always say I have the wrong kind of confidence at the right times with a few exceptions. I didn't even think twice. I didn't go up to the house, if I set fire to it and other women or young girls were in there I'd never forgive myself. I k ow fire spreads, however I also know that a coke fiend with a steady supply of money from selling that plus others and that's not even including if he had any women 'working' for him...isn't gonna be asleep before 3 or 4. I didn't see lights on, but I knew that was normal for a house with visitors coming day and night. Nevertheless, I didn't scramble to do this. I got out and prepared the thing in my trunk, the car was facing the house and I had my lights off. I walked a few steps away from my car, at least 6 feet, found my zippy lighter in the trunk too by the way, looked at it for a second because it was wow I'd never used a weapon before, and I smashed it right at the base of a small tree. Ran back to the car, turned the keys I left in the ignition(oops? Lol?) And I drove away like Katsuragi in the first episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Until I was back in normal traffic, I wasn't that brave.

Anytime I was asked about this story, I asked the person what the statute of limitations on arson was. Sometimes I got looked at like I was being weird on purpose, but I wasn't giving anyone the power to get me into trouble over that. I didn't know how the police were in that area, or in SC in general. Small towns where im from are the wrong place to be if you piss someone off bad enough. Especially if they know someone with pigs or where to find wild boar. The unsolved murder rate in my county has been grim at best, and our sheriff 10 years ago used to have a big Ole pot farm and he sold it (he totally still does). I worried because i didn't call, that I would get stuck there or die, that people wouldn't believe me, and that if worse happened and I did call...I'd get arrested (I almost got arrested for being hit by a coworker because i sprinkled shredded cheese inside his personal bubble, didn't even get him with the cheese. We were joking around and he'd thrown the seran wrap way up high where I couldn't reach while we closed)

I regret not saying anything because if it happened again, it'd happen the same or in a similar way and do as much or more damage to someone else. However, I'm happy that I didn't have to testify in court against a big drug dealer and have to worry about my safety. One of my friends up there that was in that little friend group I had was dating that man's drug dealer. Even though he didn't really like me much, my friend asked me to tell him what happened so I did. That man looked me dead in the eye and told me it'd be dealt with and that he took it seriously. I moved after that. When I came to visit...nobody had seen or heard of the guy. There was another man that was there which was his cousin, he was still around. I figured he was still at that house. I wasn't clear on which one owned it, I remember very little of what was talked about before I said no to the guy that brought me there and all that BS.

I think he lied to his cousin about what was going on with me, which wasn't exactly something he could hide for very long and lie it away. I had been in the same room crying and saying no and then all the screwed up shit he said...he was high and talked loud as hell...the guy asked me if I was OK when I got 'permission' to get one of my own cigarettes. I didn't really answer him and it looked like he was walking on his own eggshells. He didn't really say anything else to me other than telling his cousin he needed to get me home because it was literally the next day

I did some coke, yes. However I didn't do very much because I didn't have more money. I still turned down drugs from men I didn't know if I had no money. If I as able to ome up with a few dollars or had it, sure. I specifically say that I will accept a gift, but I don't have money and I won't do anything in return for it. For an addict that's weird, but I am completely grossed out by having sex with people I don't know. After this happened, every person I didn't know well that i ran into multiple times during the days I still went to the bar and still got drugs after this happened, I said the same thing, sometimes twice. Usually, it was fine. I said this to a guy that was probably 5 years younger than me and it scared him 😅 but even he got it. I remember the couple of people that it bothered even though they acted like it did.

I go for non violent, peaceful responses to people for a number of reasons....but even I had my day. I regret that I didn't do it before I moved while the guy was definitely there, but thats not even a completely true statement. It'd have been awesome sure, but what would that even achieve?

Im gonna look for the snap chat video. I think it's still in my snapshot memories.

Moral of the story

I don't know just don't kill anyone if you light a big fire, or tell anyone, or take a snap chat video of it even if you're not driving lol

I didn't proofread this yet but I doubt many people will see it anyway, I used a bunch of BS tags lol but it's fine

[bobemajses]

Old synagogue in Tskhinvali, Georgia, 1929. Photographed by Mark Plisetsky.

Georgian Jews have been living in South Ossetia for around two thousand years. The 1886 population census indicates that they constituted a majority in Tskhinvali, living peacefully alongside their Georgian, Armenian, Ossetian and Russian neighbors. Most Jews fled the city for Israel and Georgia proper during the First Ossetian War in 1991. As of 2018, only one Jew remained in Tskhinvali, a single elderly woman called Rebecca Jinjikhashvili, known to locals as 'Rybka', her childhood name.

[dougielombax]

Idk much about Uruguay but I’m glad their govt sees Azerbaijan’s brazen fuckery in Artsakh and Armenia for what it is!

Fucking terrorism! Feel free to reblog.

I’m leaving these articles here in the hopes that someone spreads the word.

Hence why I’ve included multiple articles.

This shit that Azerbaijan has been pulling cannot be allowed to continue or to escalate.

Reblog the shit out of this.