Methodology of Landscape Archaeology in the Context of Archaeological Sites around Lake Paravan

Abstract

Landscape archaeology provides a methodological framework for analyzing the spatial distribution of archaeological sites across extensive areas, allowing for their thematic and chronological classification. This approach underpinned the geoarchaeological projects we conducted in the Paravani region during the years 2018–2020 and 2022–2023. As a result of this research, several hundred archaeologically significant sites were identified. More than 30,000 hectares were surveyed remotely, and a geospatial database was developed using GIS software. Analytical processing of the collected data reveals that settlements around Lake Paravani are distributed at elevations ranging from approximately 2,100 to 2,450 meters above sea level, while burial sites are found at slightly lower elevations, between 2,070 and 2,320 meters. These patterns suggest practical environmental and cultural explanations that warrant further investigation. It is noteworthy that the majority of the identified archaeological sites in the Paravani Basin date to the Bronze Age. This concentration may be related to climatic changes, particularly periods of warming. A milder, more humid climate with richer vegetation likely supported more sustainable and long-term human habitation. We argue that our study contributes to the integration of emerging technologies—such as remote sensing and spatial data analysis – into archaeological research. This integration enhances the methodological toolkit of landscape archaeology and has the potential to make future investigations more practical, accessible, and informative. Moreover, the proposed research promotes a multidisciplinary approach to studying the socio-cultural aspects of human adaptation to environmental conditions. It aims to address fundamental questions that have emerged from the historical and archaeological exploration of the Javakheti Plateau: How do environmental factors influence societal development, and how are these influences reflected in the archaeological record? How can we reconstruct historical processes through the study of archaeological remains within specific geographic contexts shaped by environmental change? The spatial data generated by this study support the development of various thematic maps and visual materials. Nevertheless, many questions raised during the course of the research remain unanswered, underscoring the need for continued interdisciplinary investigatio.