A recent study led by Dr. Nathaniel Erb-Satullo of Cranfield University has shed new light on a colossal 3,000-year-old fortress located in the Caucasus Mountains. Using advanced drone mapping techniques, researchers have redefined the scale and importance of the site, known as Dmanisis Gora, expanding our understanding of Late Bronze Age societies and their complex settlement structures.
Dmanisis Gora is a fortified settlement strategically perched between two deep gorges in southern Georgia, a region that has long served as a cultural crossroads between Europe, the Eurasian steppe, and the Middle East. Initial exploratory excavations in 2018 suggested a small fortification, but subsequent visits revealed that the site extended far beyond early estimates.
What was once thought to be a modest stronghold is now understood to encompass a vast outer settlement surrounded by an enormous fortification wall stretching one kilometer in length.

The fortified settlements of the South Caucasus emerged between 1500 and 500 BCE, representing a pivotal moment in the region’s prehistoric development. These settlements demonstrate advanced urban planning and complex social organization, characteristics that Dmanisis Gora exemplifies on an unprecedented scale.
Recognizing the limitations of ground-based exploration, Dr. Erb-Satullo and his team turned to drone technology to comprehensively map the site. Employing a DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone, they captured nearly 11,000 high-resolution images. These images were processed using advanced photogrammetry software to produce detailed digital elevation models and orthophotos—composite images offering a bird’s-eye view of the site.
The resulting data revealed subtle topographical features, such as additional fortification walls, tombs, and agricultural field systems. The true scale of Dmanisis Gora became apparent, showing it to be over 40 times larger than previously thought. This dramatic expansion included an extensive outer settlement defended by the kilometer-long wall.

To deepen their analysis, the researchers compared the drone-generated orthophotos with declassified satellite imagery from the Cold War era. This comparison provided a timeline of landscape changes over the past 50 years, distinguishing ancient features from those altered by modern agricultural activity.
By integrating these datasets into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, the team identified long-term patterns of settlement growth and decline.
Dr. Erb-Satullo hypothesizes that the fortress’s expansion was closely tied to interactions with nomadic pastoralists. Seasonal changes may have influenced the settlement’s size and population density, reflecting a dynamic interplay between sedentary and mobile lifestyles.

Ongoing excavations have unearthed tens of thousands of artifacts, including pottery fragments, animal bones, and tools, offering further insights into the lives of the fortress’s inhabitants. These findings suggest a thriving community capable of sustaining large-scale fortifications and sophisticated agricultural practices.
Dmanisis Gora’s significance extends beyond the Caucasus, providing a critical case study for understanding the diversity of settlement patterns and urbanization processes during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. As Dr. Erb-Satullo notes, Our mapping has allowed us to document this site in ways that would have been impossible from the ground.
Future research will focus on refining our understanding of Dmanisis Gora’s demographic and economic systems. Studies will examine population density, livestock movement, and agricultural methods, shedding light on the resilience and adaptability of ancient communities in challenging landscapes.
SOURCES
Erb-Satullo NL, Jachvliani D, Higham R, Weber-Boer KO, Symons A, Portes R. Mega-fortresses in the South Caucasus: new data from southern Georgia. Antiquity. Published online 2025:1-20. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.197
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