Location
State: Latvia
Region: Kurzeme
County: Rucava
Parish: Rucava
Other references to the location
3 km S from the centre of Rucava, 150 m W from Vecvismini homestead and 36 m S from the nearest gravel road leading from Vecvismini to the Klaipēda–Liepāja highway.
Coordinates
lat=56.1313833333, lon=21.1665666667
56° 7′ 52″ N, 21° 9′ 59″ E
Description
The dimensions of a cup-marked ston: length 3.7 m, width 2.2 m,height 1.1 m, circumference 9.80 m, volume above the ground around 3 m3. Red granite with large crystals. It is noteworthy that the stone lies in its original place and has not been moved even during the Soviet time drainage works. Altogether on all surfaces of the stone 100 cup marks made by ancient people have been found.
Narrative
A unique cup-marked stone where in ancient times people had made cavities on all of its available surfaces. Most of the cavities are on the top of the stone — 57. However, there are cavities on all sides as well: on the N and W side there are 14 ones on each side, on the E side there are 13 and on the vertical S end there are two. The cup marks are of various diametres and depth, they have been made over a longer period of time which might indicate that here for a longer period of time has been the biggest sacred site in the surroundings. By the number of the cup marks (at the moment of discovery in 2012) the stone ranks fifth among the cup-marked stones of Latvia. The newly discovered cup-marked stone will soon be explored in more detail, which most likely will provide more information on the cup-marked stones of southern Kurzeme (Courland).
Attraction
Good
Availability
Rather easily accessible. There are no information signs. It lies in the middle of agricultural lands and can be reached by walking 30 m across the field from the road.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
There have been no facilitation and maintenance works performed within the territory, no indication signs.
Local info
There is no information stand on site
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Newly discovered
Legal Status
Private
Comments
The cup-marked stone was discovered during the Cult Identity project expedition on 28 March, 2012. It should be taken under the state protection as a very significant archaeological monument.
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