Batumi Archaeological Museum Historical (local) Museums

Museum address:  77, Ilia Chavchavadze str., Batumi
Date of establishment of the museum: 1994
Legal status of the museum: Legal Entity under Public Law (LEPL) “Adjara Museum”
Museum type (profile): Historical
Quantity of stored items: 28 508

Museum collection description: The museum displays the artifacts of stone, bronze, iron, ancient, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and late medieval period, which are mainly found in South-West Georgia (Kobuleti, Gzurauri, Pishvnari, Tsikhisdziri, Batumitsikhe, Gonio-Apsaros, Achariskali valley, etc.). ) was discovered as a result of archeological excavations carried out for more than half a century.

Among the oldest samples of the exposition are the stone tools found in the Adjara Mountains, near the Beshum resort, whose date is determined by 300-400 thousand years. According to the exhibited material, it can be seen that the territory of Adjara falls into the area where the transition from subsistence farming to productive farming began about 10,000 years ago. The following Eneolithic – Early Bronze Age (V-III millennium BC), especially the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age (XV-VII centuries BC) – it is recognized that the Chorokhi basin was one of the mining metallurgy in the Near East. the ancient center, the place of origin of the Colchis tribal culture. It is to this region that the popular Greek myth of the Argonauts is connected. The results of close trade, economic and cultural relations with the ancient world, Greek colonization, Roman and Byzantine expansion are reflected in the imported and locally produced plain and painted ceramics, terracotta figurines, toreutics and jewelry art pieces, found in the pine forest, Apsaros, Makho, Kapandidi and Tsikhisdziri preserved in the museum. Glass products, iron and copper products, jewelry, etc.

Interesting numismatic and glyptic monuments of gold, silver, bronze and iron are preserved in the museum collections. And the rich gold fund of the museum, where the samples of Colchis goldsmithing occupy an important place, confirms the information preserved in the ancient authors about Colchis as a “gold-rich” country.

Working hours: Everyday, 10.00 – 18.00
Ticket price: Standard – 6 GEL
Excursion individual – 15 GEL
Excursion group (from 6 to 30 visitors) – 10 GEL
Free admission: Children up to age of 6; Georgian and Foreign Museum staff, ICOM members (cardholders with ID), people with disabilities (upon presentation of valid ID), refugees.

Status of the Museum Building: Since 2004 has been granted status of immovable monument of cultural heritage.