Late Bronze - Early Iron Age and Achaemenid Period Grinding Stones from Grakliani Hill (Based on Typological and Use-Wear Study, Georgia)

摘要

The present paper deals with the study of the grinding stones from Grakliani Hill based on typological and use-wear study. The typological study identifies grinding stones of various shapes with flat and concave working surfaces. Linear striation and smooth, polished surfaces indicate their function and role in various agricultural activities. The important issue is the location of the grinding stones inside or outside of the buildings. In some archaeological sites e.g. Illipinar (Western Anatolia), Liga (Bulgaria), Shiqmim (Southern Israel), Tel Rehov (Israel) grinding stones were discovered both outdoors and inside the buildings. Grinding stones inside the buildings are set on special installation. A grinding installation with two grinding stones was discovered on Grakliani Hill and was attributed to the Achaemenid period. Another grinding installation was found in the Tsikhiagora archaeological site. In the room attributed to the post-Achaemenid period several grinding stones were placed next to one another. 10 different types of grinders, 7 types of querns and 2 forms of working surface have been revealed as a result of typological analysis of grinding stones from Grakliani Hill. Grinding stones were treated by striking technique and basalt, sandstone and gabro-diorite were used in the process. Macro and micro study done on the surface of the grinding stones showed the evidence of smoothness, polishing and linear trace which indicates its usage while working on cereal and leather.