The Academic Council of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University has awarded the Honorary Doctor title to Professor Joni Apakidze, Doctor of History, Corresponding Member of the German Institute of Archaeology. Professor Joni Apakidze has made a significant contribution to upbringing of young scientists, development of Georgian archaeology and its presentation and popularization abroad.
Professor Joni Apakidze is the holder of the German Academic Exchange (DAAD) and the German Institute of Archaeology (DAI) scholarships. The professor is a six-time holder of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) Scholarship, Mercator-Fellow of the German Research Society (DFG), Trustee Scientist of the German von Humboldt Foundation (2010-2015), member of the European Association of Archaeologists (2009-2013), Researcher at the Eurasia Department of the German Archaeological Institute from 2017.
Professor Joni Apakidze not only led joint international expeditions, but also published books and scientific articles in highly prestigious and highly rated international publications. Professor Joni Apakidze has published a two-volume monograph on the Colchian culture of the Bronze and Early Iron Age, in the well-known German publication “Prehistoric Archaeology in the South-West Europe” -Apakidze, J. (2009): Die Spätbronze- und Früheisenzeit in West- und Zentralkaukasien. Chronologische Studien zur Kolchis-Kultur, 1600–700 v. Chr. – Prähistorische Archäologie in Südosteuropa 24, Verlag Marie Leidorf GmbH, Rahden/Westf. 2009. The Two-volume monograph- http://www.vml.de/d/detail.php?ISBN=978-3-89646-595-5.
In 2007-2017 Prof. Joni Apakidze was a Reactor of the Sokhumi State University.
Famous scientist Joni Apakidze was the first Georgian archaeologist who was lucky to have been invited to the International Archaeological Excavations in Troy. He has also been actively involved in many other important local and international archaeological excavations. In 2011-2015 and 2017 he led the archaeological excavations of the hill of Tabakon artificial former settlement of Bronze and Early Iron age Colchian culture in the village on Didinedzi in Zugdidi region. Prof. Svend Hansen, the first Director of the Eurasia Department of the German Archaeological Institute co-headed the expedition. The archaeological excavations were carried out on the basis of the inter-institutional partnership between the Sokhumi State University Archaeological Institute and the Eurasia Department of the German Archaeological Institute.
Mr. Joni Apakidze received numerous awards: Georgian National (state) Award for the contribution to the study of prehistoric archaeology in the Black Sea Basin; Presidential Warrant of Excellence. Patriarch Ilia II of the Georgian Orthodox Church awarded Joni Apakidze with the Diamond Cross of St. Nino and the Golden Badge of St. George in 2015 and in 2017 the Golden Ring of Saint Queen Tamar for the service and achievements as the Rector of Sokhumi State University in 2007-2017. It should be noted that exactly during his being the Rector of Sokhumi State University, in 2009, his Holiness awarded the Sokhumi State University in exile with highest award of the Georgian Orthodox Church-the Golden Order of St. George.
The ceremony of awarding the honorable doctor’s title was attended by Prof. Svend Hansen, the First Director of the Eurasia Department of the German Archaeological Institute, Catherine Bastert-Lamprich, Researcher of the German Institute of Archaeology and Irina Gambashidze, Chief Researcher of the Georgian National Museum and Head of the Research Laboratory.
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