Machakhela Archaeology Project: Survey/Archaeology tour in Georgia and Turkey

Location: JRMC+XQ Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Türkiye

Season: August 17, 2026 to August 27, 2026

Session Dates: August 17-August 27

Application Deadline: July 15, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095279433316

Discount for AIA members: no

Program Type:
Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University

Project Director:
Roin Malakmadza, David Grace and Sulkhan Mamuladze.

Project Description:

Starting in 2024 the Machakhela Archaeology Project has conducted excavations on Chukuneti castle in Machakhela, Georgia. Chukuneti castle was built and used along with Gvara, Khertvisi and Mindieti castles along the Machakhela river to protect the trade routes that traveled along this river and linked some of the Silk Road trade routes to the Black Sea. Chukuneti and Gvara reside in modern day Georgia while Khertvisi and Mindieti castles reside in modern day Turkey. Aside from excavating and researching the functions and history of the castles we are also conducting ongoing surveys and research to find new sites in Machakhela on both sides of the Turkish-Georgian border and assess the populations in Machakhela during different time periods.

During this survey we will be going to the Turkish side of Machakhela to survey and document the remains of Khertvisi and Mindieti castles which has not been done before and to survey other sites in the surrounding area of the castles to add to our research of  Machakhela as a whole. To start the season we head up to Georgia, Machakhela and visit Chuckuneti and Gvara castles then we will head to the Turkey side of Machakhela to conduct our survey research at Mindieti and Khertivisi along with other sites in the area.

After the survey we will go on an archaeology tour to Roman built Gono Fortress in Georgia and world famous sites in Cappadocia such as the underground city of Derinkuyu, Uchisar castle and hikes through the Rose and Red Valleys. The tour will also take us to Hattusa archaeology site, the Bronze Age capital of the Hittites, Yazilikaya archaeology site, and Kayalibogaz archaeology site.

Costs: 2200$

Includes:

• Archaeolocal Survey in Machakhela, Turkey and Georgia
• 2 night lodging in Georgia, Machakehla
• 4 nights lodging in Turkey, Machakehla
• 4 nights lodging in Goreme, Cappadocia Turkey
• Tour of Roman built Gonio fortress in Georgia
• Tour of Gvara and Chukuneti castles in Machakhela, Georgia
• Tour of Underground city of Derinkuyu in Cappadocia
• Tour of Uchisar Castle in Cappadocia
• Hike through the Red and Rose valleys in Goreme, Cappadocia
• Excursion to house dwellings carved into hills including large church.
• Excursion to the Black Sea.
• Tour of the Bronze Age capital of the Hittites, Hattusa.
• Exursion to Hittite Yazilikaya and Kayalibogaz archaeology sites
• Flight from Batumi, Georgia to Kayseri, Turkey (the survey team will fly togethor to Cappadocia after survey to start archaeology tour)

Period(s) of Occupation: Early to late medieval period, Byzantine period, Roman period, and Hittite Bronze Age.

Notes:
This is a multi country multi cultural time period survey/tour that will take us to: Medival sites in Georgia and Turkey. Roman site in Georgia. Byzantine sites in Georgia and Turkey. Iron age Underground cities in Cappadocia. Bronze age Hittite sites. Along with visting several different archaeology sites we will be visiting several nature sites as well and enjoying several cultural experiences in both Machakhela Georgia and Turkey including a tradional Georgian folk dance show and wine tasting (What Georgia is known for)

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 week

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Provided at guest houses in Machakehal Georgia and Turkey along with lodging in Goreme, Cappadocia.

Academic Credit:
N/A