FROM THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF TAKHTISDZIRI IN THE DVANI FRONI GORGE

Abstract

This scientific article presents the political and socio-economic history, geographical environment, ethnic composition and religious life of the village of Takhtisdziri, located near the occupation line in the Dvani Fron Gorge, spiritual and material cultural monuments, materials depicting life, Migration processes,toponyms, relationship with the Jerusalem Cross Monastery, and the etymology of the village.

             The research is based on the analysis of historical documents, archaeological data, scientific literature, the press, and materials we have found in relation to modernity.  

              The name Takhtisdziri is associated with the steep hill rising above the village, which is called Takhtisgora, Takhtisseri. 

                According to materials published in the newspaper "Iveria", the owner of Dirbi and Takhtisdziri was Aznauri Dogladze, who was left childless and donated it to the king for the Jerusalem Monastery of the Cross. Documentarily, Dirbi was donated to Jerusalem by Simeon I in the 16th century. We learn this from a document dated July 3, 1588, issued by Simeon's wife, Nestan-Darejan. It is likely that the donation of the village of Takhtisdziri to the Jerusalem Monastery also took place during this period.

                  Takhtisdziri, as the property of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, is mentioned in the list of holy places and monastery estates of the East compiled in 1874, along with Dirb.

                 With the participation of employees of the S. Janashia Museum of Georgia, the Sh. Amiranashvili Museum of Georgian Art and the Kareli Museum of Local Lore, an archaeological expedition to Shida Kartli was conducted in the village of Takhtisdziri, on the Tsitelbegebi in 1996-1997. The expedition was led by I. Gagoshidze, members: N. Gogiberidze, I. Koridze, M. Jalabadze.

                  Three tombs excavated in the village of Takhtisdziri from different periods date back to the 4th-3rd centuries BC. The items found here are similar to those found in the tombs of Vani, Sairkh, and Itkhvis in Colchis. These tombs contain a significant amount of ancient Greek imports, including ceramics, glass, and metalwork. The burial of a coin for the deceased is also confirmed in the tomb. Georgia has always been a crossroads, where north and south, west and east met, and this circumstance was also reflected in the material from Takhtisdziri.

                 Keywords: Shida Kartli, Dvanis Frone, Takhtisdziri village, relationship with the Jerusalem Cross Monastery, archaeological excavations at Tsitelbegebi, Peter and Paul Cathedral, past, modernity.