[en] The ceramic potsherds found at the Sakdrisi mining site belong for two thirds to the Kura-Araxes period and provide dating material for the undisturbed mining layers belonging to that exploitation period. Other occupation periods are also attested through the presence of potsherds from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, as well as from the late antique and early medieval period, which are also present on a number of settlements in the surroundings. These settlements were not all connected with mining activities. The Kura-Araxes ceramic assemblage is characterized by its high fragmentation and vessel selection, which marks a sharp contrast with that of the mining settlement of Dzedzvebi nearby. The Kura-Araxes ceramic assemblage presented in this article is analysed in accordance with those brought to light on the settlements: it shows that particularly large vessel containers and handled goblets were selected to be used on the mining site. Their ornamentation and clay composition have been compared to those from other Transcaucasian sites: they show that decorative motifs such as spiral ornaments were widely distributed throughout the Transcaucasus. Specific stylistic groups such as Kirovakan ceramics are also present: they probably spread to Kvemo Kartli via the Tbilisi gorge. This diversity of the Kura-Araxes ceramic assemblage found at Sakdrisi is also illustrated by the chemical composition of the ceramics: some of them are close to the Dzedzvebi repertoire, while other groups seem to have come from elsewhere. This shows that the ceramic found at Sakdrisi came from different regions. A second interesting point concerns the function of this pottery: some of the potsherds display traces of secondary use, as shown by use-wear analysis and taphonomic observations. Some of the handles and body sherds were obviously used as ad hoc tools, perhaps on fur, in order to gather ore-grains that fell down during the crushing and milling processes. Other usages are also possible: their damaged and soft surfaces produce a reddish powder that might have been used for marking surfaces or as a body paint. However, it is clear that most of the ceramic vessels were originally used near the entrances to the mine (e.g. as a water drinking set), but once broken, were later reused for various other ad hoc purposes.

[fr] Les tessons de céramique collectés sur le site de Sakdrisi datent pour la plupart de la période kuro-araxe (deux tiers d'entre eux) ; ils permettent ainsi de dater les niveaux de la mine non perturbés du Bronze ancien. Les céramiques datant de l'Antiquité sont présentes dans les mêmes proportions que celles des autres périodes mises en évidence sur le site (Bronze récent/Fer ancien et période médiévale), lesquelles sont aussi attestées sur certains sites des environs. Ces sites n'étaient pas tous liés à l'exploitation minière. En ce qui concerne la période kuro-araxe, la forte fragmentation et la sélection des types de vase perceptibles dans la céramique de Sakdrisi sont surprenantes au vu du vaste répertoire de céramiques en usage sur le site de mineurs de Dzedzvebi, situé à proximité. Cet article passe en revue les assemblages céramiques collectés sur les deux sites, en se concentrant sur les vases de particulièrement grande taille et les pots à anse. Leur ornementation et la composition des pâtes est comparée aux répertoires de certains autres sites transcaucasiens. Cette étude montre que les décors en spirale, par exemple, étaient largement distribués à travers la Transcaucasie. Certains styles céramiques, comme le groupe de Kirovakan, ont atteint le Kvemo Kartli via la gorge de Tbilisi. La diversité d'origine des céramiques kuro-araxes de Sakdrisi est perceptible à travers leur composition chimique : si certaines d'entre elles sont similaires à celles de Dzedzvebi, les autres viennent d'ailleurs. Ceci démontre que les céramiques de Sakdrisi n'étaient pas toutes des productions locales. Un autre point intéressant concerne les usages secondaires de certaines céramiques (ré-emploi). Ce point est abordé à partir d'observations tracéologiques et taphonomiques : des anses et d'autres types de tessons ont visiblement été utilisés de façon opportuniste, peut-être sur du cuir afin de gratter les restes de minerai pilé et moulu. D'autres usages sont envisageables : étant donné que ces tessons laissent des traces rougeâtres et poudreuses, ils ont pu être utilisés pour marquer des surfaces ou comme poudre. Cela dit, il est certain que la plupart de ces céramiques ont tout d'abord été utilisées aux entrées de la mine (p. ex. comme vases à eau) pour être ensuite réutilisées une fois cassées à divers usages ad hoc.