Students of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, together with representatives of the world’s leading universities, are participating in the 14th International Conference of Young Archaeologists, which is taking place in the architectural complex of Vardzia. Together with the Georgian participants, professors and students from Edinburgh, Venice, Innsbruck, Oxford, Jena, Bordeaux and other universities will present the latest scientific archaeological research and discuss issues of archaeological research in different regions of the world.

“The Vardzia Conference of Young Archaeologists is very popular among European and American universities and research centers. Their participation in the Vardzia conference is the best opportunity for young Georgian archaeologists to be integrated into the European scientific space and to familiarize themselves with the world archaeological news,” said Vakhtang Licheli, TSU Professor, founder and organizer of the conference.

Speaking at the conference, TSU Vice Rector Nino Gvenetadze emphasized the importance of the Vardzia conference for TSU students in bringing them into the international arena, establishing scientific relations with foreign colleagues, and planning joint archaeological expeditions. She thanked the organizers of the Vardzia conference for their help in paving the way for young archaeologists and, on behalf of TSU Rector Jaba Samushia, presented a certificate of gratitude to Michael Vickers, Professor of Oxford University, permanent chairman of the conference sessions, for his contribution to supporting Georgian students and promoting their professional advancement.

Prof. Michael Vickers expressed his confidence that Georgian students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills from the Vardzia conference. He added that their progress in this regard is more and more noticeable every year.

TSU graduate Davit Naskidashvili is attending the conference this time on behalf of Ghent University: “The Vardzia conference helps young Georgian archaeologists to develop their skills and to improve research components in English. It is a springboard for young archaeologists to integrate their research into the Western world, make friends with Western students and researchers, obtain new grants, and establish new collaborations in Georgia and beyond.”

The purpose of the 14th International Conference of Young Archaeologists is to facilitate the establishment of contacts between young archaeologists from different countries, to promote their research on the world scientific market and, accordingly, to integrate Georgian student archaeologists into the international space. The conference is organized by the Institute of Archaeology of the Faculty of Humanities and is dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ekvtime Takaishvili.