The exhibitions of Archaeological discoveries from Vani of Georgian National Museum have already been shown in major museums in Europe and the United States.
Exhibitions present spectacular gold, silver, ceramic vessels, jewelry, Greek bronze sculpture, Greek and Colchian coins, and Greek glassware. Together these objects provide a rich and informative view of the ancient land of Colchis and its principal sanctuary city, Vani, a town in the Imereti region of western Georgia.
"Medeas Gold – New Discoveries from Vani" Berlin, Altes Museum 14.03.2007-30.05.2007
"From the Land of the Golden Fleece: Treasures of Ancient Colchis" Asian Arts Museum, Nice 15.06.2007-02.09.2007
"From the land of the Golden Fleece-Treasures from Ancient Georgia" Coin Museum, Paris 12.09.2007-07.11.2007
"Wine, Worship and Sacrifice: The Golden Graves of Ancient Vani" Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Smithsonian Institution, Woshington DC 1.12.2007-24.02.2008
"Wine, Worship and Sacrifice: The Golden Graves of Ancient Vani" New York University Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York 11.03.2008-1.06.2008
"Wine, Worship and Sacrifice: The Golden Graves of Ancient Vani" Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 21.07.2008-1.09.2008
"From the Land of the Golden Fleece: Tomb Treasures of Ancient Georgia" Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge 2.10.2008-4.01.2009
"From the land of the Golden Fleece-Treasures of Ancient Colchis" Benaki Museum, Athens 20.01.2009-6.04.2009
"The Golden Graves of Ancient Vani" J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Villa, Los Angeles 16.07.2009-5.10.2009
Ancient Vani was one of the famous cultural centers of historical Colchis. Colchis, the country which preserved the Golden Fleece is now recognized as contemporary Western Georgia.
Ancient Greek and Roman authors in their works refer to Colchis as a country profusely rich in gold. Archaeological records strongly support the authenticity of the mythic Colchis. The site of an ancient temple city Vani preserves rich evidence of Colchis culture.
The extencive archaeological excavations were initiated by famous Georgian scholar Eqvtime Takhaishvili, later continued by well-known scientist Niko Berdzenishvili and Nino Khoshtaria.
For 30 yearsOtar Lordkipanidze led the excavations. During that period Vani was placed on the forefront of classical archaeology, several international symposiums were held and q new museum was created.
Now Darejan Kacharava is managing the archaeological excavations.
Vani was one of the most important political and religious centers in Colchis. The site produced an astonishing number of artifacts dating to the VIII-I century BC. The items produced in Vani represent an original Colchian goldsmiths’ style.
