Toponymic Searches on the Border of Svaneti and Abkhazia

A new understanding of the historical border dynamics between Svaneti and Abkhazia emerges from a detailed analysis of toponymic sources, revealing shifts in territorial boundaries over centuries. The study, which examines church documents, lectionary sheets, and ethnographic data, identifies previously unrecognized patterns in border toponymy and land ownership, particularly in Upper Svaneti's northwest region. By applying critical source analysis and historical-comparative methods, researchers have reconstructed the fluid nature of these borders, highlighting how written monuments, toponyms, and ethnographic evidence collectively illustrate their evolution. The work also underscores the need for further ground-based studies to refine boundary clarifications in contested regions like Dali Valley.

Gvichiani, L. (2024). Toponymic Searches on the Border of Svaneti and Abkhazia. Collection of Scientific Works of Sokhumi University. https://doi.org/10.52340/sou.2022.20.12