THE TKHILVANI MENHIR: MEGALITHIC CULTURE OF THE PAGAN ERA IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA (Research conducted with the support of the Shota Rustaveli Georgian National Science Foundation, GSDP-25-478, "The Palace and Family Church of the Abuserisdze Family in the V

Abstract

Abstract. This paper offers a comprehensive study of a unique monument of material culture located in the village of Tskhilvana, Khulo Municipality - a pagan-era cultic menhir. The research analyzes the monument's geographical context (Arsiani Ridge, 1440 m above sea level) alongside its archaeological and folklore significance. Based on its shape, the monument is interpreted as a phallic representation linked to fertility cults, where rituals were performed to connect with chthonic deities and ancestors. The paper explores the evolutionary stages of menhirs and their architectural transformation during the Christian era, driven by the Church's suppression of pagan cults. Particular attention is paid to local folklore memory, where this megalith, weighing over two tons, is connected to the Khikhani Fortress and the mythologized figure of Queen Tamar (including legends of her throwing the stone from the fortress during an invasion, or using it as a pulley system to transport supplies). Despite chronological challenges, this study demonstrates that the Tskhilvana menhir served not only as a religious landmark but also as a symbol of territorial sovereignty that underwent a fascinating ethno-cultural transformation over centuries.