FROM THE HISTORY OF THE PRONE VALLEY (LOCATION, NAME, TRIBUTARIES, VILLAGES)

Abstract

This comprehensive study explores the historical, geographical, and socio-political significance of the Prone River system in eastern Georgia, specifically in the region of Shida Kartli. The name “Prone” refers to a group of rivers that originate from the eastern slopes of the Likhi Mountain Range and flow into the Mtkvari (Kura) River. These include the East Prone (Dvanis Water), West Prone, Middle Prone (Pcis Water), Ali Water, and Surami Water. These rivers have played a vital role in shaping the region’s settlement patterns, agriculture, and historical memory from the medieval period to the modern era. The East Prone, or Dvanis Water, starts at an elevation of 1,705 meters, flows for 41 kilometers, and has a basin of 231 km². Prince Vakhushti and other sources document its tributaries and the numerous historical villages along its banks. Records from the 1715 Ruisi Diocese Register and the 1728 Tbilisi Ottoman tax census reveal the administrative and feudal structure of the valley, which included royal, church, and noble estates. The West Prone and Middle Prone rivers, which eventually form the Pcis River, nourished fertile lands, enabling viticulture, horticulture, and grain production. These river valleys supported a dense network of settlements, many of which are listed in historical documents and cross-referenced with 19th- and 20th-century ethnographic accounts.The Ali Prone (Alis Water) and Surami Prone (Suramis Water) were also major tributaries with historical significance. The Ali River, with tributaries such as Elumba and Cheratkhevi, passed through villages that are documented in 15th-century religious endowments. The Surami River, stretching 42 km, ran through many settlements tied to noble families and monastic properties, as shown in Georgian and Ottoman sources. The paper also investigates the etymology of “Prone.” It may derive from the Old Georgian word fre (a spring or water source), combined with the suffix -on, denoting abundance. Other scholars suggest links to the word fon, meaning shallow water. These interpretations are backed by linguistic evidence and historical usage. Drawing on an extensive range of sources—including medieval chronicles, tax registries, religious documents, and modern ethnographic studies—this work reconstructs the transformation of the Prone valleys across centuries. The study highlights the strategic importance of these valleys as both agricultural centers and cultural-historical landscapes. In conclusion, the Prone Valley river system played a crucial role in the historical development of Shida Kartli. Through detailed geographic and documentary analysis, the study preserves valuable knowledge about the region’s past and offers new insight into the interaction between nature and society in Georgian history.

Keywords: Shida Kartli; Alis Phrone; Ptsis Phrone; Dvanis Phrone; Suramis Phrone.