Leri Jibladze

For the History of Colchis Bronze Manufacture Leri Jibladze

The results of archaeological researches carried out on the territory of histor-ic Colchis prove that Bronze Age Colchis metallurgical amalgamation (centre) was created and it contributed to development of geographical zone of mountain and foot-hills, on the base of assimilation of local, rich metallogenic system; majority of copper, arsenic and antimony ore outcrops necessary for mining-smelting manufacture were treated, and tin was imported. Correspondingly, the organizational-technological changes going on historically in Colchis bronze manufacture resulted in differential communications necessary for de-termination of functional, geographical-spreading, trade-cultural relations and activity area with external world. Thanks to the joint, synchronous functioning of the primary (mountain zone) and secondary (lowland, seaside) centers of copper-bronze production/manufacture, the united center (metallurgical association) of Colchis bronze manufacture was created by the first half of the 3rd -1st millennium B. C. Due to the growth of scales and successful functioning of highly skilled workshops and increased quality of nonferrous metal, the trade-economic progress reaches high level. Association established strict cultural con-tacts with metallurgical provinces around the Black Sea and the Caucasus-Fore Asia, by the principle of integration and it occupied deserved place in the cultural achieve-ments of the Old World.