Archaeologists working at one of the oldest fortifications in the South Caucasus have made a landmark discovery that is rewriting the region's medieval military history. During excavations at Rustavi Fortress in southeastern Georgia, a team uncovered a complete 9th-10th century chainmail shirt and combat helmet, the only known examples of such artifacts ever found in the South Caucasus region. The remarkable find provides unprecedented insight into medieval warfare technology and craftsmanship in this strategically important crossroads between Europe and Asia.
The excavation, launched in July under the initiative of Rustavi City Hall, focuses on exploring the remains of a medieval palace dating back to the 9th-12th centuries within the fortress complex, reports Georgia Today. According to Nazibrola Pachikashvili, director of the Rustavi Museum and head of the excavation, the discovery represents a turning point for Georgia's medieval military archaeology. The iron helmet, complete with its facial muzzle guard, and the full chain-mail cuirass made of interconnected rings, were found in the fortress's sixth chamber, remarkably well-preserved despite the area's humid soil conditions.
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Excavation work at the Rustavi Fortress, Georgia. (Rustavi History Museum)
Ancient Fortress with Deep Historical Roots
Rustavi Fortress, situated approximately 19 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Tbilisi, overlooks the Kura River and has been occupied since the Middle Bronze Age. Historical sources list Rustavi among the earliest urban settlements in the ancient Kingdom of Iberia, alongside other significant sites like Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, and Urbnisi. The fortress was originally constructed to protect the southeastern approach to Tbilisi and underwent three major reconstruction phases during the 5th-8th, 9th-11th, and 12th-13th centuries, according to Archaeology Magazine.
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The fortress walls of Rustavi where the medieval armor was discovered. (Mehman Ibragimov/CC BY-SA 4.0)
What makes this fortress particularly unique among Georgian fortifications is the presence of fresco fragments still surviving on its interior walls. This rare feature suggests the site served both ceremonial and defensive roles, indicating its importance extended beyond mere military function. The ongoing archaeological mission involves over 100 participants, including professional archaeologists, university students, and volunteers, all working to uncover the secrets of this ancient stronghold.
Elite Warrior Equipment Reveals Advanced Craftsmanship
Experts suggest the armor may have belonged to an elite soldier or commander stationed at Rustavi during a turbulent period of medieval history when the region witnessed interactions between Arab, Byzantine, and local Georgian powers. The iron helmet features a detachable muzzle plate, reflecting advanced craftsmanship and design possibly influenced by Byzantine or Persian models prevalent during this era. The chain-mail shirt, composed of thousands of interlinked iron rings, demonstrates the sophisticated metalworking techniques available to Georgian armorers of the time.
The discovery helps fill a significant gap in the archaeological record, as very few examples of early medieval armor survive anywhere in the Caucasus region, and none have been documented with this level of completeness. The find provides direct material evidence of how warfare technology evolved during the formative centuries of Georgia's feudal states.
Medieval chainmail cleaning, showing the intricate interlocking ring construction. (Rustavi History Museum)
Archaeologists are now conducting metallurgical analysis to determine the alloy composition and manufacturing techniques, with early observations indicating the items may have been locally produced, demonstrating that Georgian craftsmen possessed technical skills comparable to their regional counterparts.
Preserving Georgia's Martial Heritage
Beyond its military significance, the find highlights Rustavi's enduring role as both a cultural and political center throughout Georgia's long history. The municipality plans to establish an open-air museum within the fortress complex, allowing visitors to view the excavation zones and learn about the site's evolution spanning three millennia. The newly uncovered armor will undergo conservation before being displayed at the Rustavi Museum, where it will join other artifacts that tell the story of this strategically important region.
"This discovery brings us closer to the people who defended these walls a thousand years ago," said one of the archaeologists involved in the excavation. "It connects Georgia's living heritage with its martial past." The chainmail and helmet now stand as silent witnesses to a turbulent medieval frontier, embodying both the craftsmanship and resilience of those who forged Georgia's identity amid shifting empires. The discovery not only enriches our understanding of medieval warfare in the Caucasus but also demonstrates the sophisticated level of military technology and organization that existed in this region during the early medieval period.
Top image: Medieval helmet and section of ring mail found at Rustavi fortress, Georgia. Source: Rustavi History Museum
By Gary Manners
References
Razmadze, M., 2025. 9th–10th century chainmail discovered at Rustavi fortress excavation. Georgia Today. Available at: https://georgiatoday.ge/9th-10th-century-chainmail-discovered-at-rustavi-fortress-excavation/
Archaeology Magazine. 2025. Medieval Armor Unearthed in Georgia. Available at: https://archaeology.org/news/2025/10/29/medieval-chainmail-unearthed-in-georgia/
Buyukyildirim, Oguz., 2025. Unique 9th–10th Century Chain-Mail and Helmet Unearthed at Rustavi Fortress, Georgia. Arkeonews.Available at: https://arkeonews.net/unique-9th-10th-century-chain-mail-and-helmet-unearthed-at-rustavi-fortress-georgia/
