Ezerskola Sacrificial Stone and Sacrificial Linden

2020-01-19 In Cult Identity Kurzeme region Latvia Stone Tree
Ezerskola Sacrificial Stone and Sacrificial Linden
2020-01-19 In Cult Identity Kurzeme region Latvia Stone Tree

Location

State: Latvia
Region: Kurzeme
County: Nīca
Parish: Nīca

Other references to the location

In Pape Nature Park, around 3 km W from the Liepāja–Klaipēda highway, 10 m from the road to the former Ezerskola school. At the road intersection, in the Ezerskola park, around 100 m from the Ezerskola school building.

Coordinates

lat=56.2263833333, lon=21.0714833333
56° 13′ 34″ N, 21° 4′ 17″ E

Description

A heritage stone. Possibly, a mythological stone. A modern cult site. Dimensions: length of 3.0 m, widthof 2.4 m, height of 0.9 m, circumference of 8.6 m, volumeof 3 m3. Rapakivi granite — orange-brown. The stone surface is considerably eroded, there are some small cracks. The stone seems to be lying in its original place. On the NW side of the stone 0.4 m from the ground there is a natural step which is up to 50 cm long and 12–13 cm wide. The first data about the Ezerskola Sacrificial Stone were provided by I. Loze in 1976.

Narrative

The stone is protected by the state as an archeological monument, however, clear data on its cultural and historic significance are missing. In reality it is visible that nowadays people often sacrifice money on the stone. For example, on 14 August, 2004 it was observed that people had thrown together money on the stone (Lithuanian cents, Latvian santims and even a 50 santim coin). The stone has a rather flat table-like surface, however, there are no cavities or any carvings. Some data suggest that at the stone there used to be a sacred furrow, however, the fact has no archeological evidence. 20 m NE from the stone there is a secular linden (with the circumference of 5.15 m) which is sometimes called the Sacrificial Linden.

Attraction

Good

Availability

Easily accessible. There are information signs. It can be found 10 m next to the road to the former Ezerskola.

Infrastructure, management, facilities

There have been no facilitation works performed within the territory. At the road side there is an information sign “Ezerskolas upurakmens” (Ezerskola Sacrificial Stone).On the site there are two wooden signs “Ezerskolas upurakmens” (Ezerskola Sacri

Local info

There is no information stand on site

Capacity

10 – 40

Publicity

Popular

Legal Status

Private

Comments

Close to Ezerskola there is another significant stone, which by its dimensions is a secular stone of local significance: its length is 4.3 m, width of 2.8 m, height of 1.1 m, circumference of 12.2 m, volume of 4–5 m3. It has no heritage value.