In a course of decades Georgian and foreign scientists considered Uplistsikhe as the earliest example of rock-cut monuments in Georgia. According to the number of theories created on the basis of this consideration, tradition of rock cutting in Georgia originated in the period of rock cutting of the most ancient caves in Uplistsikhe, i.e. in the middle of the 1st millenium, and as if this was associated with introduction of the tradition after migration of the people skilled in rock cutting.
Our recent studies have proved that rock cutting of caves in Georgia was quite intense already in the 4th-3rd milleniums and later on, practically during the course of the Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The cave complexes discovered by us on vast territories of historical Kvemo Kartli, along river gorges (riv. Khrami, Mashavera, Zurkateki, etc.) can be considered as a good proof of this consideration. Each of the complexes is rock cut in several tiers, and comprises several dozens of caves with ragged shapes. Archaeological studies have revealed that the larger part of the caves has preserved material traces of Copper-Early Bronze Age or of the consequent Ages in spite of their repeated reconstruction in Middle Ages.
Our version of origination of the Georgian rock architecture in the most ancient period is supported by the fact that rock cutting of cave villages and necropolis was quite widespread tradition of the neighbouring civilizations of the Near East and Mediterranean.
S. Janashia Georgian State Museum