THE FIFTH CONGRESS OF RUSSIAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN TBILISI AND THE PROBLEMS OF GEORGIAN NUMISMATICS

Abstract

The article examines the holding of the V Congress of Archaeologists of the Russian Empire (1881) in Tbilisi and its significance for the development of Georgian archaeology and numismatics. The authors describe in detail the organization of the congress, the work of its sections, and the participation of leading scholars, which clearly demonstrates the scientific scope and public resonance of the event. Particular attention is paid to numismatic issues, which were given more space than at previous congresses. The article discusses A.V. Komarov’s report on unpublished Georgian coins and I.B. Iversen’s study of coin hoards, including the question of 
the discovery of a rare silver coin of David Kuropalates. The article also analyzes the program for the study of Caucasian numismatics compiled by Baron V. Tiesenhausen, which emphasizes the necessity of studying local coinage. The authors note the problem of the looting of monuments and its continued relevance today. It is shown that the V Congress in Tbilisi played an important role in strengthening Georgian national self-awareness and in establishing the scientific foundations for numismatic research, thereby leaving a significant mark on Georgia’s scholarly life and creating the groundwork for further research in the future.