Traditionally, it is believed that the name of this allegedly East Slavic tribe comes from the word "tree" because the tribe lived in the forest. But, first, this does not explain the appearance of the letter "l" in the root of the word, second, the only Ukrainian word completely cognate with "Drevliane" is "izdevle" and it has nothing to do with trees. And third, the area of settlement of the "Poliane" (wrongly associated with "fields") covers forest regions as well. The answer to the puzzle is the Svan word "drev", meaning "time" and acting as the root in the Ukrainian-Russian words "drevniy", "izdevle", and is exactly the "drevo" (through which thoughts flow) and, finally, Drevliane. If we perceive the word as Kartvelian, then the letter "l" logically acts as a Kartvelian suffix of an adjective. Thus, the "Drevliane" (დრევლიანი) are interpreted not as "forest people", but as "ancient people" who had lived on this land since time immemorial. They are probably the last identifiable speakers of the Kartvelian language in Ukraine. With the destruction of the national identity of the Drevliane and their subordination to Kyiv, the "Rus" Igor and Olga may have destroyed the true Ukrainian independence.
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