Location
State: Latvia
Region: Zemgale
County: Pļaviņu
Parish: Aiviekstes
Other references to the location
The stone is located in the territory of a medieval cemetery, which is enclosed by a wall; the stone lies 0,5 m from a wooden fence, inside of it, opposite of the road end leading to the “Draudavas” home, in an open hillock, 100 m direction NE from “Draudavas”.
Coordinates
lat=56.65545, lon=25.64235
56° 39′ 19″ N, 25° 38′ 32″ E
Description
Dimensions: 0,9 x 0,6 x 0,10 (H) m. 50% moss-overgrown, 40% above ground. Grey-pink large-grained granite; surface is bumpy. One side is split off due to natural or human actions, the breach line crosses a carving. A specific mark in the shape of a cross is carved into the surface: 35 cm long, 42 cm wide. At the three ends of it there are small carved cross-bars, which are 8 – 9 cm long, while the fourth end is formed by an oval loop. Width of the sign is non-proportional: 16 – 26 cm. From the stone there is a wide view towards “Draudavas”, the nearby road and the vicinity. Underneath the stone, during archaeological excavations, animal bones and sacrificed bronze ring from 15th – 16th century were found.
Narrative
Probably, the stone is located in a place, where the dead were worshipped.
Attraction
Visually hard to be detected, since it is rather small and overgrown with grass. Still – the carving is very rare and extraordinary.
Availability
Rather easy accessible.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
Around the place, where the stone is located, a wooden fence is installed. Nearest town – Plavinas, where several churches and memorial sites, several castle mounds, accommodation and catering sites, shops, and other tourism infrastructure is found.
Local info
No information.
Capacity
10 – 40
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
Property of State
Comments
Archaeology monument: Draudavas ancient burial ground with a cross stone.
