BIODIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

In collaboration with the National Geographic Magazine-Georgia and the Georgian National Museum supported by Silknet, the Map of Biodiversity in the South Caucasus and its website were recently created. In the first stage we have incorporated 120 illustrations and basic biodiversity information on species found in the South Caucasus (mostly Georgia) on the electronic version of the map. Each description, prepared by a field specialist, provides key information about each species. On the printed map there are 98 species represented, with their Latin, Georgian and English names and their conservation status according to IUCN.

The large scale (3m.X1.5m) printed version of the map is displayed at the Caucasus Biodiversity Exhibition of the S. Janashia Museum of Georgia.

In the future, both electronic and printed maps will be developed with additional species and habitats in neighboring countries.

Scientists from the Georgian National Museum have worked with species specialists from Ilia State University, with oversight by the National Geographic team of specialists who supervised the illustrators to create high quality images for each species represented on the maps.

Creation of the first ever illustrated Map of Biodiversity in the South Caucasus was entirely supported by the GIZ “Integrated Biodiversity Management, South Caucasus” Project.

Hominins from Dmanisi

Location: Dmanisi Municipality (Kvemo Kartli). Patara Dmanisi Village, a promontory at the confluence of the Mashavera and Phinezauri Rivers.

Age: Pleistocene (1.80 million years ago)

Discovery: In 1983, when excavating a household pit resembling a kvevri [clay vessel for wine or oil] in the remains of the medieval town of Dmanisi, archaeologists found remains of animals that were unusual for that period. These were studied by paleontologist Prof. Abesalom Vekua. Among the remains was a tooth of an extinct rhinoceros which existed in the Early Pleistocene (2-1.5 million years ago). In 1984, stone tools were recovered, and in 1991 the first remains of a hominin were identified: a mandible with a full set of teeth. In the summer of 1999 two small crania of the same age were discovered in the same geological layer.

Description: The Dmanisi discoveries are the oldest in Eurasia, and represent the first location of migration from Africa. These discoveries have fundamentally changed the view of human evolutionary history. The Dmanisi site is exceptionally rich in hominin fossil bones. As of today, five crania, four mandibles and over 70 bones from the skeletons of early Homininae – Homo erectus georgicus – have been discovered there. Dmanisi is also rich in paleontological material and stone tools. Compared to modern humans, the Dmanisi hominins were smaller (1.5m) with protruding faces and smaller brains (1/3 or 1/2 of a modern human brain). They were bipedal, with well-developed feet and lower extremities, allowing them to move with ease in their environment.

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