Stand where humans stood 1.8 million years ago – the oldest human presence ever discovered outside Africa. Walk the same ground where five individuals of Homo erectus georgicus lived, loved, cared for each other, and died, their remarkably complete skulls forever changing our understanding of human evolution.
This is not just archaeology – it’s a profound encounter with your deepest ancestry. Before civilization, before agriculture, before language as we know it, early humans walked this volcanic landscape on the edge of what would become Europe. Their discovery in 1991 rewrote textbooks, pushed back the timeline of human migration by hundreds of thousands of years, and proved our ancestors were far more adventurous and diverse than scientists imagined.
Combined with medieval fortresses and some of Georgia’s oldest Christian churches bearing the earliest known Georgian inscriptions, this tour spans an almost incomprehensible sweep of time – from humanity’s dawn to the present day.
Perfect for: Archaeology enthusiasts, science lovers, curious minds, history buffs, photographers, and anyone fascinated by human origins and evolution.
Season: May through October only (site closed November-April)
Tour highlights
Stand at the dawn of European human history
The Discovery That Changed Everything
In 1991, a Georgian-German archaeological team excavating the medieval fortress at Dmanisi made an astonishing discovery: a human jaw buried in sediment beneath medieval layers. Radiometric dating revealed it was approximately 1.8 million years old—the oldest human fossil ever discovered outside Africa.
Over following decades, the team uncovered five partial skeletons including remarkably complete skulls, representing individuals of different ages and sexes. These were Homo erectus—our direct ancestors who lived nearly two million years ago.
Why Dmanisi Changed Everything
Humans left Africa far earlier than believed: Before Dmanisi, scientists thought Homo erectus left Africa around 1 million years ago. The Dmanisi fossils proved humans migrated much earlier, immediately after Homo erectus evolved.
Early humans were more diverse: The five Dmanisi individuals show remarkable variation in size and skull shape, yet lived at the same time and place. This proved early Homo erectus populations were naturally diverse, not different species as once thought.
Evidence of compassion and social care: One skull belonged to an elderly individual who had lost all teeth years before death. Without teeth, this person couldn’t chew tough raw food—yet survived. This suggests the group cared for vulnerable members, possibly by pre-chewing food. It’s some of the earliest evidence of human compassion.
Small-brained success: The Dmanisi humans had brain sizes of only 600-775 cc, much smaller than modern humans (1,350 cc average). Yet they successfully migrated thousands of kilometers from Africa. Brain size wasn’t everything.
Meet the Dmanisi Five
Skull 1: An adolescent, showing development patterns
Skull 2: A robust adult male with powerful jaws
Skull 3: The toothless elder, evidence of social care
Skull 4: A small female, showing sexual dimorphism
Skull 5: The most complete early human skull ever found, with a large face but a small brain
These weren’t strangers scattered across millennia—they likely knew each other, lived together, perhaps were even related.
Itinerary
Departure: 8:30 AM from Tbilisi (hotel pickup)
Return: Approximately 6:00-6:30 PM
8:30 AM – Departure from Tbilisi
Your journey begins heading south into Kvemo Kartli – Georgia’s multicultural southern region bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan. The landscape transitions from Tbilisi’s urban environment to agricultural plains, rolling hills, and eventually volcanic terrain. This ethnically diverse region has Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani communities coexisting for centuries.
10:00 AM – Bolnisi Sioni Church
Your first stop is Bolnisi Sioni, a three-nave basilica built in 478-493 AD during the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgasali—the same king who founded Tbilisi. The church is constructed from beautiful green tuff stone (volcanic rock) that seems to glow in certain light.
The oldest Georgian inscription: Carved into the southern facade is the oldest known inscription in the Georgian language using the Georgian script. Dating to the late 5th century and written in Asomtavruli (ancient Georgian script), it documents the church’s construction. For linguists and historians, this inscription is sacred—physical proof of Georgian literacy 1,500+ years ago.
The austere interior features three naves separated by massive stone pillars, with remarkable acoustics designed for chant and singing.
Duration: 30-40 minutes
10:45 AM – Tsugrugasheni Church
A short drive away lies Tsugrugasheni, built in the 13th century during Georgia’s golden age under Queen Tamar and her successors. While Bolnisi Sioni impresses through austerity, Tsugrugasheni dazzles through intricate decoration.
The exterior is covered in elaborate stone carvings—geometric patterns, floral motifs, animal figures, crosses, and inscriptions. Look closely to see individual grape clusters, vine leaves, mythical creatures, and complex interlacing patterns. The perfectly proportioned dome, four-apse tetraconch plan, and decorative arches represent Georgian stone masonry at its finest.
Duration: 25-35 minutes
11:30 AM – Kveshi Fortress
This medieval defensive structure, built between the 7th and 9th centuries, commands a strategic hilltop. Explore partially preserved walls, climb to elevated viewpoints for valley panoramas, and understand how medieval Georgians fortified strategic positions. The commanding views in all directions made it nearly impossible to approach unseen.
Duration: 20-30 minutes
12:30 PM – Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant,t sampling Kvemo Kartli regional cuisine with influences from Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani traditions. Typical menu includes khinkali, khachapuri, grilled meats, fresh salads, local bread, and Georgian wine.
Duration: 60 minutes
1:30 PM – Dmanisi Archaeological Site & Museum
The moment you’ve been waiting for. Dmanisi occupies a volcanic promontory above the confluence of the Mashavera and Pinezaouri rivers—a dramatic setting even before considering what was found here.
The Archaeological Site:
Walk onto the actual excavation site where the fossils were discovered. The open-air museum allows you to see excavation in progress (seasonal work continues) and understand the stratigraphy – layers representing the medieval period (9th-13th centuries), the Bronze Age, and deepest layers from the Early Pleistocene (1.77-1.85 million years ago) where human fossils were found.
Markers indicate where each of the five skulls was discovered. Standing at these spots, you’re literally at the place where humans stood 1.8 million years ago. Alongside human fossils, archaeologists found stone tools, animal bones (saber-toothed cats, giant cheetahs, ancient horses, primitive elephants), and environmental evidence.
The Dmanisi Museum:
The modern museum displays fossil casts (originals are in the Georgian National Museum for conservation), reconstruction displays showing how these individuals might have looked, comparative evolution displays, migration story maps, and discovery documentation.
What you’ll experience: Life-size skull casts for detailed observation, artistic reconstructions, timelines showing where Homo erectus georgicus fits in human evolution, faunal displays of extinct animals found alongside the humans, and interactive elements including replica tools.
Duration at museum: 60-75 minutes
Medieval Dmanisi Fortress:
Built primarily in the 9th century and expanded through the 13th century, the fortress protected the trade route between Georgia and Armenia. Explore defensive walls, residential quarters, church remains, and watchtowers with commanding views. Here also stands well preserved church, Dmanisi Sioni.
The Secret Tunnel: A passage descends through the rock to the Mashavera River below—serving as water access during sieges and an escape route if the fortress fell. The tunnel is partially accessible depending on the season and safety conditions.
The Deep Time Perspective: Stand on fortress walls built 1,100 years ago and look down at the excavation site where humans lived 1.8 million years ago. All of recorded human history occurred in the thin sliver of time between them.
Total time at Dmanisi: 2.5-3 hours
4:30 PM – Return to Tbilisi
Drive north as the landscape transitions from volcanic terrain back toward the capital. Arrival approximately 6:00-6:30 PM with drop-off at your hotel.
Price details
| Number of Persons | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person USD | 130$ | 110 $ | 100 $ | 85 $ | 80 $ |
What’s Included
Tour map
Tbilisi
Bolnisi Sioni Church
Tsugrugasheni Church
Kveshi Fortress
Dmanisi Archaeological Site
Tour gallery
Practical Information
Duration: 9-10 hours (full day)
Distance: Approximately 170 km round trip
Activity Level: Easy to moderate (walking on uneven ground at archaeological site)
Season: May through October only
Why May-October Only?
The open-air archaeological site and museum close November-April due to cold weather, potential snow, and to protect the excavation from winter conditions. This closure also allows archaeologists to analyze finds and prepare reports.
Winter alternative: Visit the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi, which displays the original Dmanisi fossils (not casts) year-round. We can arrange a specialized museum tour focused on the Dmanisi collection.
What to Wear & Bring
Essential: Comfortable walking shoes (uneven terrain at archaeological site), sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses—little shade at excavation site), modest clothing for church visits (shoulders/knees covered), light jacket or sweater (churches can be cool), camera with charged battery, water bottle.
Recommended: Notebook if you want to take notes, binoculars for viewing fortress details and landscape, personal snacks if you have dietary restrictions.
Physical Requirements
Walking on uneven ground at the archaeological site, climbing stairs and ramps at museums and fortresses, standing for extended periods during explanations. Optional fortress tunnel descent if accessible.
Age suitability: Appropriate for ages 10+ (younger children may not appreciate the historical/scientific content). Teenagers interested in science particularly love this tour.
