saqarTvelos mecnierebaTa erovnuli akademiis moambe, t. 12, #4, 2018 BULLETIN OF THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, vol. 12, no.4, 2018 © 2018 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci. Archaeology Typological Analysis of Weapons from Georgian Archaeological Sites of Classical Period (Spears, Battle-axes) Vakhtang Shatberashvili * , Gela Gamkrelidze * , Marine Pirtskhalava * , Natela Jabua ** * Otar lordkipanidze Institute of Archaeology, Georgian National Museum, Tbilisi, Georgia ** Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia (Presented by Academy Member David Muskhelishvili) ABSTRACT. The article refers to typological analysis of iron weapons (spears and battle axes) of the Classical Period (from 5 th c.ury BC to 4 th c.ury AD.) found on the territory of Georgia. According to main characteristic features 8 types of spearheads were distinguished: 1. narrow- bladed (from 6 th to 3 rd c. BC.); 2. rhomboid-bladed (from 5 th to 3 rd c. BC., some examples existed in the 1 st c. BC.); 3. elongated triangular- bladed (from 5 th c. BC to 2 nd c. AD.); 4. with rounded shoulders (from 6 th -5 th cc. BC to 4 th c. AD.); 5. with rounded sides (mainly discovered in graves of west Georgia dating back to 6 th -4 th cc. BC.); 6. arrow-like were found in the burials of west Georgia dating to 5 th -4 th cc. BC.); 7. with stem (found at Sokhumi mt. graves # 4 and 9, (4 th -2 nd cc. BC.); 8. bayonet- like (5 th - 3 rd cc. BC). Among battle axes 3 types are distinguished: 1. with a short, hammer like butt, oval hole for handle, prolonged blade with oval, asymmetrical, narrow cutting edge; 2. with a short, hammer-like butt, an oval hole for handle, the outlined shoulder for a handle, narrow neck, wide, asymmetrical, or symmetrical cutting edge; 3. “Bearded“ battle-axes, which have long, distinctly outlined, or sometimes slightly noticeable, tubular socket for a shaft. The wide, assymetrical cutting edge expands to the lower corner . © 2018 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci. Key words: Classical Period, spears, battle axes During Classical Period (from 5 th c.ury BC to 4 th c.ury AD.) different kinds of weapons were spread in Georgia. Further we will review typological data of the spears and battle axes, that were discovered at the archaeological sites of Classical Period Georgia. Iron spear was the main weapon in Georgia throughout the Classical Period. While classifying spears the main characteristic is a spearhead as wooden handles have not survived. The following types of spearheads are known in Classical Period Georgia: Type I - The narrow- bladed spearheads (Fig. 1-2). They have long and narrow blades, evenly narrowing sides toward their points and conical, opened sockets; width of blade is a bit bigger than