Lazdiņi Mound

2019-12-12 In Cult Identity Hill Latvia Vidzeme region

Location

State: Latvia
Region: Vidzeme
County: Cēsis
Parish: Vaive

Other references to the location

On the NE coast of the Big Lazdiņi Lake, about 200 m N-NW from the highway.

Coordinates

lat=57.2433333333, lon=25.3133333333
57° 14′ 35″ N, 25° 18′ 47″ E

Description

In 1972 archaeologist Jānis Apals made archaeological excavations in Vaive Lazdiņi Mound, on the E coast of Lazdiņi Lake during which peculiar stone constructions were revealed as well as pits dug in the earth and filled with sand which was mixed with ash and small coal; on a small stone there were iron artefacts – a socket axe, chisel, two ends of a spear, scythe and awl fragments; slightly further there was an iron knife with a bent back. On the NW part of the hill a quadrangular platform piled of rounded stones fit close inside the stone circle. On the platform three small fragments of a man’s skull were found — from the facial part, top of the head and its base. The artefacts found in the middle of the hill date back to the 2nd quarter of the 1st millennium AD – the early iron age. In the Lazdiņi Hill neither skeleton or cremation graves in the traditional form were found. Thus it is possible to consider that in these excavations J. Apals had found a possible ancient cult site. (J. Apals. Archaeological Monuments in Gauja National Park (Arheoloģiskie pieminekļi GNP).1986. The object is situated in the Gauja National Park and in the territory of Natura2000.

Narrative

There are no recorded evidences about the site, however, professor Jānis Klētnieks, based on archaeological excavations concluded that this was a cenotaph – an empty grave erected in honour of a leader whose remains are elsewhere. As it is said in a Latvian folk song, “Let my sword lie there instead of my bones.” Apals has dated it with the early iron age — up to the 4th century. This is a unique place as in Vidzeme there are no other sites referring to such an early age.