How to Pronounce Dmanisi

Meaning and Context

Dmanisi, an archaeological site of profound global significance located in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia, represents a cornerstone in the study of human origins. The discovery of remarkably well-preserved Dmanisi hominid skulls and postcranial fossils, dating to approximately 1.8 million years ago, has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of early human migration out of Africa. These Dmanisi fossils, belonging to the species Homo erectus (or sometimes classified as Homo georgicus), are among the oldest human remains outside Africa and provide an unparalleled snapshot of a paleolithic population. The site, which began as a medieval town atop an ancient settlement, offers a unique stratigraphic record where Stone Age tools and animal bones are found alongside the hominin remains, painting a vivid picture of the environment and survival strategies of these pioneering humans. Ongoing archaeological excavations in Georgia continue at Dmanisi, yielding critical data on human evolution and challenging previous timelines and models of how and when our ancestors first dispersed across Eurasia, securing its status as a UNESCO World Heritage tentative list site and a pivotal chapter in prehistoric human history.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard spelling is "Dmanisi," derived from the Georgian "დმანისი." A common error, particularly in non-specialist writing, is the omission of the first "i," resulting in the misspelling "Dmanisi." Another frequent typo is "Dmanissi," doubling the "s," likely due to phonetic interpretation. In older literature or from certain transliteration systems, one might encounter the spelling "Dmanisy," though this is now rare. It is also sometimes incorrectly prefixed with a definite article as "the Dmanisi," whereas it is conventionally referred to simply as "Dmanisi," similar to place names like "Olduvai." Care should be taken to distinguish it from the modern town and municipality of Dmanisi, with the archaeological site often specified as the "Dmanisi archaeological site" or "Dmanisi hominid site" for clarity.

Example Sentences

The five remarkably complete Dmanisi skulls have forced paleoanthropologists to reconsider the diversity and adaptability of early Homo species.

Every summer, an international team of researchers returns to the Dmanisi site to continue excavating its rich sedimentary layers.

A visit to the Dmanisi museum and the excavated ruins of the medieval city offers a tangible connection to both the ancient and medieval past of Georgia.

The discovery at Dmanisi suggests that early humans left Africa nearly half a million years earlier than previously believed.

Analysis of the animal bones found at Dmanisi indicates that these hominins shared their environment with saber-toothed cats and giant ostriches.

The significance of Dmanisi lies not only in the age of its fossils but in the unprecedented opportunity to study multiple individuals from the same time and place.

Related Pronunciations

• How to pronounce Satu Mare
• How to pronounce Stary Oskol
• How to pronounce Tolyatti
• How to pronounce Petrozavodsk
• How to pronounce Cheboksary