In Georgia, found the Roman baths of the first century of our era Bashny.Net

In Gonio, 15 km South of Batumi (Georgia), a team of researchers has discovered baths (bath), who built and used by Roman soldiers some two thousand years ago.

The floors in the baths were decorated with mosaics, which is unusual for the baths, which were intended for the military.





Baths were found inside the ancient Fort Asparas, which was built by the Romans in the second half of the first century of our era. Near this castle held the only convenient road which connected the Colchis (Western Georgia) with the Roman provinces in Asia Minor.

"In fact, the terms were built for the military, was not luxurious. That's why we were surprised when they opened the mosaic that decorated the floor. We also covered a large part of the pool with cold water, the so-called frigidarium", – said the head of the excavation, Dr. Radoslav Karasevich-Syperski.

The second surprise for archaeologists was the age term. The researchers expected that the building existed since the II–III century ad meanwhile, the excavations have yielded a different date – the second half of I century BC. e. Probably the Thermae were built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

Excavations in Gonio are researchers from the Institute of archaeology and the centre of Mediterranean archaeology (University of Warsaw) in cooperation with archeologists from the local Museum.

This is the first season of the Polish expedition in Gonio. The researchers intend to continue the excavations during the next two years. "We plan to open the entire area of the baths. The remains of bathhouses will be restored and coated roof. They will be a tourist attraction" – added the head of the expedition.

Gonio fortress (Aspare or Asparunt) was located on the Black sea coast, at the mouth of the Chorokhi river. The fortress was first mentioned by the Younger Pliny (I century BC) In the second century ad, the fortress was the city. Later the town came under the influence of Byzantium.

The town was known for its theatre and Hippodrome. According to one version, there may be the tomb of the Apostle Matthew.

Author: Egor Antonov

Source: nkj.ru