Restorers have unearthed ancient Georgian inscriptions on ceramics at the site of the ancient Christian temple of Tkhaba-Erdy in Ingushetia. The territory is expected to yield hundreds of ancient artifacts, according to architect-restorer and CEO of "ASM Group" LLC, Alexey Mikhailov.

"The team found a piece of pottery; we sent its photo to historians who identified it as ancient Georgian inscriptions from the 8th-12th centuries. Throughout the entire territory, there will be amazing discoveries, and there will be many of them; I assume there could be hundreds," he said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of the head of the republic, Mahmud-Ali Kalimatov.

Tkhaba-Erdy is the oldest Christian temple in Russia and is listed as a cultural heritage site of federal significance. "Highly qualified specialists have already been involved in archaeological and restoration work on this early Christian monument. The first excavations have revealed entire archaeological layers from various historical periods," commented the head of the republic.

According to scientists, part of the temple's structures may be hidden underground. "If everything goes well, it can be confirmed that it is a basilica in its construction and architecture, which ceased to be built in Europe in the 8th century. If we find basilica structures, then confidently we can say that it dates back to the 8th century or an earlier period," noted Mikhailov in a video on the Telegram channel of the regional leader.

The temple is located within the Djairakh-Assa State Historical, Architectural, and Natural Museum-Reserve.