Bronze statuettes of bulls found in Colchis in VIII-VII CC. BC

Abstract

One of the most important stages of the Colchian culture is the first quarter of the 1st millennium BC, when the widespread use of iron began in the territory of present-day Western Georgia. In the coastal zone, on the Colchian plain, and in the mountainous regions, numerous settlements, cemeteries, so-called “hoards of socketed axes,” and remains of iron production dating to this and later periods have been discovered.

Among these, special significance is attributed to the so-called Colchian collective burials. Among the hundreds of archaeological artifacts recovered from these sites, particular interest is drawn to the small bronze zoomorphic stands and fully cast round sculptures. These are represented by figures of bulls, horses, deer, mounted human figures, as well as several fantastic animals.