Nokalakevi (Archaeopolis)

Nokalakevi, historically recognized as Archaeopolis by Byzantine chroniclers and Tsikhegoji—the fortress of the Eristavi Kuji—by local sources, stands as the most significant archaeological site in western Georgia. Positioned strategically where the Tekhuri River exits the mountains into the Colchian Plain, this site served as the political and military command center of the Kingdom of Egrisi (Lazica) from the 4th through the 8th centuries. The geography provided an unassailable defensive position, turning the settlement into a primary theater of conflict during the Lazic War between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Persians.

The structural integrity of the ruins spans across three levels of elevation, representing a sophisticated defensive hierarchy. The lower town encompasses the royal administrative centers and the Church of the Forty Martyrs, while the upper citadel utilizes the natural topography of the limestone cliffs to dominate the surrounding valley. Unlike many reconstructed sites, Nokalakevi offers a raw perspective on Late Antiquity engineering, where fortification walls were integrated directly into the natural geological features of the gorge.

The Strategic Evolution of Tsikhegoji

Archaeological investigations have confirmed that the site was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age, but its prominence surged in the 4th century AD when it was fortified to become the capital of Egrisi. The defensive layout was designed to exploit the river gorge, utilizing high-density masonry reinforced with limestone mortar.

• The Northern Wall: A massive fortification line that effectively blocked the only land-based approach to the city.
• The Water Tunnel: An engineering feat of the 6th century, the vaulted masonry tunnel provides a direct, protected descent to the Tekhuri River, ensuring the city could survive extended sieges.
• The Royal Palace Complex: Excavated remains demonstrate a clear distinction between domestic, ceremonial, and religious architectures, featuring remnants of hypocaust heating systems in the thermal baths.

Architecture and Material Composition

Construction at Nokalakevi reflects a synthesis of local Colchian building traditions and imported Byzantine military architecture. The use of large, roughly hewn limestone blocks laid in horizontal courses is characteristic of the site.

Specific architectural elements include:

• The Church of the Forty Martyrs: A three-nave basilica that dates back to the 6th century, though it underwent significant alterations in the 11th and 17th centuries. It remains a vital symbol of the region's continuity of Christian worship.
• Thermal Baths: The presence of a bathing complex highlights the Roman and Byzantine influence on the local aristocracy, utilizing sophisticated flue-tile heating systems.

Geological and Hydrological Context

Beyond the man-made fortifications, the landscape of Nokalakevi is defined by its intense geothermal activity. The sulfur-rich hot springs located downstream are a direct result of the tectonic shifts along the Greater Caucasus foothills.

The water temperature remains constant regardless of the season, creating unique mineral-rich travertine terraces that have formed over millennia. These natural formations are not merely geological oddities; they were integral to the daily life of the inhabitants of Archaeopolis, who valued the therapeutic properties of the springs for recovery and social congregation.