Shiraki Plain

This situation reflects the fact that the Shiraki steppe has been used, since the 17th century,[3] as winter pastures by shepherds from Akhmeta's Tush community, traditionally engaged in transhumant lifestyle of sheep farming.

[4] The whole distance from the areas of the Tush summertime residence to the Shiraki winter pastures is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) and involves crossing of Georgia's highest pass, the Abano, at 2,960 metres (9,710 ft) above sea level.

As archaeological and palynological studies indicate the climate in the region was less arid in the prehistoric era; the territory was covered by forests and continuously inhabited until the end of the 7th century BC, when the human settlement in the area was abruptly and completely terminated, apparently, as a result of ecological changes as well as nomadic raids.

[8][9] In 2014, a satellite survey and subsequent archaeological digs at Didnauri in the Shiraki croplands revealed a large Late Bronze Age site, with massive defensive walls and warrior tombs.

It emerged in the early 17th century, when the Tush highlanders were granted the grazing rights in Shiraki in recognition of their military service to the kings of Kakheti against the Safavid Iran.

It was home to the 168th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (Russian: 168-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный Краснознамённый полк), which took part in the Soviet–Afghan War and returned to Georgia in 1989.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the remaining 30 Su-24 attack aircraft were relocated to Russia by June 1992 and the Greater Shiraki airfield was transferred to a now independent Georgia by October 1992.