Interdisciplinary research in Kutaisi (Kutaisi Archaeological Landscape Project /KALP/). The research of several archaeological sites in the Imereti region involves scientists and students from the Krukowski Georgian-Polish Interdisciplinary Research Center, National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, Kutaisi Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve, Kutaisi Akake Tsereteli State University, Systems Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Gdańsk, and the Helsinki University.

The head of the Polish side of the project is Dr Jacek Hamburg, Director of the Krukowski Georgian-Polish Interdisciplinary Research Center. The head of the Georgian side of the project is Assoc. Prof. Roland Isakadze, Director of the Kutaisi Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve and the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia employee.

The investigation of Bagrati Cathedral and the Ukimerioni Fortress area. The project finished in 2023. The research aimed to investigate the earliest history of the Ukimerioni hilltop settlement. As of the date of publication, the earliest known levels date back to the Transition Middle-to-Late Bronze Age period (16th-15th century BC). Investigations in the frame of the Kutaisi Archaeological Landscape Project create a great opportunity to excavate the later phases, dated from the Byzantine to the Modern period. During the first season, was found evidence of a Late Medieval glass workshop (15th-17th century AD), as well as a water distribution system dated to the Byzantine and Developed Medieval periods (8th-12th century AD), and remains of the Colchian structures dated to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age (13th-6th/5th century BC). 

The project's heads were Dr Jacek Hamburg (Krukowski Center), Dr Rafał Bieńkowski (Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences), and Assoc. Prof. Roland Isakadze (Kutaisi Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve, National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia).

The investigation of Gabashvili and Dateshidze Hills. A long-term project in progress. The research aimed to investigate the full history of both hills. Excavations revealed traces of an ancient settlement, including a canal/moat surrounding the area, ceramic materials, and evidence of metallurgical activities, confirming the presence of a Colchian culture settlement. Findings from the Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and later periods include pottery, metal objects, and the remains of a building that collapsed due to a fire. Special research methods are being employed to collect materials for radiocarbon dating, as well as to analyze ecofacts and reconstruct the local environment. More details can be found below!

The project is realised by Dr Jacek Hamburg (Krukowski Center) and Assoc. Prof. Roland Isakadze (Kutaisi Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve, National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia)

The investigation of Simoneti archaeological site. This is the latest initiative within the framework of the KALP. Since 2024 our team has been conducting archaeological research in the settlement and cemetery area near Zeda Simoneti town. It has a salvage character. Nearby, there is an abandoned manganese mine that has damaged part of the site. During the first season of research, graves dating to the Roman period were discovered, as well as stone wall of a house from the 4th/3rd century BC. Archaeological survey and test trench indicate that the site has a long history, from the Middle Bronze Age to the Early Medieval period. 

The project is realised by Dr Jacek Hamburg (Krukowski Center) and Assoc. Prof. Roland Isakadze (Kutaisi Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve, National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia)

Palaeobotanic and environmental analyses of samples obtained during the research of archaeological sites in the framework of the KALP. With the help of the scientists of the Department of Plant Ecology of the University of Gdańsk, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the Museum of the Earth of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, and the University of Reading, the team of archaeologists involved in the Kutaisi Archaeological Landscape Project can count on specialized palaeobotanical and environmental analyses aimed at correct determination of ecofacts found during the excavations, separation of appropriate remains for further analyses (e.g. radiocarbon dating), as well as in the long term reconstruction of the natural environment and restoration the diet of the local community during the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age period and the development of Colchian culture in the studied area.

The head of the project is Assoc. Prof. Monika Badura (University of Gdańsk)

Analyses of Ceramic Building Material (CBM) and Plastic Earthen Material (PEM) taken from archaeological sites excavated in the framework of the KALP. This study aims to investigate earthen/ceramic building materials from the excavations of Kutaisi to shed light on the continuity and change in architectural construction technologies from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period. The excavations presented materials from a few distinct sites: The Dateshidze and Gabashvili hills dated from the Late Bronze Age period (14th -13th centuries BC) until the pre-classical period (6th -5th centuries BC), and from the citadel area surrounding Bagrat III’s Cathedral in Kutaisi, where the Polish-Georgian archaeological team found in years 2019-2023 remains dated back to the Bronze Age (2nd Millenium BC), Byzantine, developed Georgian Medieval (11th - 13th centuries AD) and the Turkish periods.

The project is realised by Dr Marta Lorenzon (Helsinki University) and Dr Melis Uzdurum (Ondokuz Mayıs Samsun University / Helsinki University).

"Gulag 0331" directed by Mr Grzegorz Czerniak and created in 2022 is a documentary movie about captives of the Kutaisi Soviet camp. The material is produced by the team of Polish specialists from the Witold Pilecki Research Institute for Totalitarian Studies (now known as the Pilecki Institute).