Bakhtadze N. At the Beginning of the Georgian Monasticism. - Dzeglis Megobari.- Tbilisi - 2001 - N 1 (112) - in Georgian.
Georgian historians consent to the idea that Christian monasticism in Georgia had developed under the influence of widespread desert monasteries in Syria-Palestine and Egypt in the 4th-7th cc. This version is corroborated by all available historical sources.
The general structure of the monasteries in the Holy land was as follows: rock-cut or adapted natural caves were used as cells and chapels; churches, refectories, cells, auxiliary premises and fortifications were added to the same rock massif or were constructed separately. Clusters of caves and constructions created large lavras or coenobiums. Small hermitages, comprising mainly caves, were found not far from a monastery. Structure of the first Georgian desert-monasteries should be the same.
Some of Georgian historians of the first half of the 20th century and of the contemporary period even though have accepted conception that the Georgian monasticism was formed under the influence of a model developed in Syria and Palestine, never the less have suggested that the structure and stages of development of ancient Georgian desert-monasteries differed from the Oriental-Christian scheme. In their opinion monastic life in Georgia since its origination till the 8th-9th cc. had the character of hermit-asceticism and monks lived and prayed only in rock-cut cells and churches. As for stone buildings and shaped monastic structures, according to the above scholars, they appeared later.
In our opinion the above-mentioned needs to be defined more precisely. Namely, it is not quite clear why should Georgian monasteries differ so much from their prototypes in Asia Minor, where the rock-cut caves and constructions existed synchronously at initial stage of monasticism. Besides, in many Georgian monasteries of the 6th-7th cc. (Shio-Mgvime, Zedazeni, Kondamiani, Katskhis Sveti, etc) early rock-cut caves and stone buildings date to the same time.
On the basis of the above-mentioned evidences we can envisage that intensive archaeological studies will result in discovery of interesting samples of stone architecture in some of 6th-7th cc. Georgian cave monasteries.
Bakhtadze N. Some Aspects of the Archaeological Study of Pirgebuli Monastery.- Annual of Research Works. Department of Protection of Monuments of Georgia. - Tbilisi - 1999-2001 - IV-V - in Georgian.
The article presents a report of the prior-conservation archaeological study of a superb architectural ensemble, Pirgebuli monastery, located in Tetritsqaro district, in the gorge of the river Khrami.
As confirmed by the archaeological excavations, rock-cut cells and cave church forming part of the monastic complex were formed as a result of reconstruction of the Bronze Age rock-cut complex undertaken in Middle Ages. Obtained archaeological material had strengthened a supposition that the main church of the monastery was built in the 13th c. under the patronage of queen Rusudan. The majority of other monastic structures (minor church, refectory, fortifications) are most likely to be erected at the same period.
It was ascertained that in the 17th-18th cc. Pirgebuli monastery was in the ownership of the Abashishvili powerful feudal family. No significant traces of the new building activity of this period were revealed in the monastery - it seems most likely that only small-scale restoration and stabilization works were undertaken at that time.
Bakhtadze N. Newly discovered rock-cut monuments of Shida Kartli. - Dzeglis megobari. - Tbilisi - 1996 - N 1-2 (92-93) - in Georgian.
The article deals with the rock-cut architectural complexes less studied or absolutely unknown to the scholars, which are located in one of the historical provinces of Georgia, Shida Kartli. These complexes comprise dozens of structures arranged in one or several tiers on rocky slopes. Due to their archaic planning, these complexes are quite distinguished among the rock-cut monuments of the medieval Georgia.
The most interesting among them is the large rock-cut necropolis, dating back to the late antique times, which has been discovered in a couple of kilometers to the west from the town of Kaspi. 4 tomb-chambers have survived completely and 26 ones - just partially. The general structure of the Kaspi necropolis and the design of certain caves resemble that of Iranian sepulchers. We can state almost undoubtedly that the necropolis discovered in Kaspi are indicative of broad spreading of fire worshipping throughout the territory of Shida Kartli during long period of time.
Earlier monuments are Tkhoti, Shiomghvime, Grakali and several other roc-cut complexes. According to the Archaeological material found in them, these complexes belong to the late Bronze Age.
As is well-known, up to recently, the brilliant antique cave complex Uplistsikhe was the only surviving pre-Christian rock-cut monument in Georgia. Facts and arguments put forward by the author make it clear that beginning from 2nd mill. B.C. an uninterrupted course of the development of the rock-cut architecture, culminating in the highly artistic ensemble of Uplistsikhe, is traceable on the territory of east Georgia.