Agricultural Tools 

In Colchian culture, as far back as the Bronze Age, agricultural tools were plentiful alongside weapons of war. Predominantly, hoes were prominent – the earliest versatile tool capable of both primary and secondary cultivation of the land. Researchers argue that hoe farming was foundational to established agriculture. Those who started their agricultural activities with a hoe, would not easily leave the selltement.

 

In Colchis, the hoe and spade emerged as the primary and principal tools of husbandry since ancient times. The hoe remained one of the foremost agricultural implements in Western Georgia from ancient periods right through to the late XIX century.

 

Along with the hoe, several types of ploughing tools were common in Samegrelo. For example, the ploughshare, which was of simple construction and was used to yoke a couple of oxen. "Ogafa" or "Agafa" was also a common tool. "Ogafa" was made from acacia, chestnut or alder, it was well smoothed, light in use and durable.

 

The horse's “ogafa” was almost similar in structure, and instead of an ox, a horse was used as the pulling force. Horse “ogafa” were used both for ploughing and for loosening the soil.

 

Along with the spread of maize culture in Samegrelo, a fork-like pulverizing tool appeared with 6-7 legs, which were used to yoke the oxen and loosen the soil or cultivate the maize.

 

The variety of ploughing tools preserved in Samegrelo to this day indicates the antiquity of the agriculture and the spread of agricultural knowledge, which was developed over centuries.

 

Today, in Samegrelo, as well as in the whole of Georgia, agricultural mechanization is in daily use.