Unglazed Medieval Pottery Found at the Savsat Castle Excavation in 2016-2017

Abstract

Savsat Castle is located in Artvin Province, Savsat District, Sogutlu neighbourhood. It is a subject of debate by which civilization the Savsat Castle was built for the first time. However, life had continued uninterruptedly until mid-19th century. At the castle which has a mysterious history, archeologic excavation and restoration works started in 2009. During the excavations carried out at Savsat Castle, a number of glazed and unglazed ceramic pieces were brought to light along with architectural remains and various small findings. Most of the ceramic findings consist of unglazed group. In this group, there are pieces of various types of vessels such as bowls, pots, cookers, bread trays, pitchers, jars, jugs, lids and chamber pots. Although a variety is seen in clay groups of the ceramics, there are mostly red clays. In this study, unglazed ceramics consisting of bowls, chamber pot, mugs, trays, lid, jars and jugs that were not found at the Savsat Castle excavations between 2016-2017 were discussed. While the pieces discussed within the scope of this study are dated back to the 13th -15th centuries, a large part of the ceramics were made during the reign of Christian Bagrationi dynasty who had a say in the governance of Savsat Castle.