Vani Archaeological Site

Vani is a multi-layered archaeological site in western Georgia's Imereti region, identified as the principal political, administrative, and religious center of ancient Colchis from the 8th to 1st century BC. Excavations beginning with Ekvtime Takaishvili in 1896 have uncovered 28 rich burials dating to c. 450-250 BC containing spectacular gold jewelry, including openwork headdresses, bird-pendant necklaces, and rider ornaments. The site covers 8.5 hectares and features remains of fortifications, temples, and imported Greek pottery. It was inscribed on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List in 2007.