Kaloti Altar (VIII-VII B.C)

There are many churches and mosques in Ajara nowadays. However, since the people lived here before the birth of Christ, and even more so, Mohamed, they also needed to believe in God, or rather, in many gods.

Kaloti Altar approves this assume. The altar is located at the foot of a hill, near the Kaloti Church. Pagan artifacts were discovered here as a result of archaeological excavations. Among them there are stone human figures described as some kind of idols and one and a half meter stone phallus used for fertility rituals. There were also flat stones found on the floor level. Scientists suppose they were for animals sacrifice.  What is the certain fact, they weren't for peeling walnuts, cooking sweets or playing poker.

Nowadays there are only ruins in the place of Kaloti Altar. However, once you get there, you will have a chance to see one of the most recent samples of ritual altars in Adjara.

The article was written in collaboration with Adjara Cultural Heritage Protection Agency.