Why was Araisi built on an island in the lake (LV)?
Āraiši lake fortress was built and inhabited in the Viking Age (9th–10th cent. AD) by the Latgallians, one of the ancient Baltic groups. In the middle and second half of the...
Latvia
Why is Araisi settlement called a lake fortress (LV)?
It was established in the course of archaeological excavation (1965–1969; 1975–1979) that Āraiši lake fortress had been built on an island in the lake for defensive purposes and had been fortified in a similar manner to...
What was the state of hygiene and health care in a lake fortress (LV)?
The lake fortress had a privy and a bathhouse or sauna, located on the perimeter of the complex. Hair was combed with bone and antler combs, and with combs made of pig bristles. Clothes were washed by beating...
What was the occupation of the people living in the lake fortress (LV)?
They were mainly engaged in agriculture, stock-keeping, forest bee keeping, crafts and trade. Also important was the utilisation of wild resources: fishing and hunting, especially the...
What did the people of the lake fortress eat (LV)?
The islanders’ diet was very diverse – cereals, turnips, the meat of hunted and domestic animals, milk, eggs and fish. Vegetable oil was obtained from linseed and the seeds of gold-of-pleasure...
Obituary: Janis Apals (17 September 1930 - 21 February 2011)
Publication Date
With Jānis Apals, who died at the age of 80 after a short illness, the international world of experimental archaeology looses a valued friend and colleague. EXARC remembers Jānis Apals as an energetic archaeologist, standing strong for...
Araisi Ezerpils Archaeological Park (LV)
Member of EXARC
Yes
At Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park you can discover and explore dwellings from Stone Age to Middle Ages. There are reconstructions of Stone Age huts and a Bronze Age building that are built according to research data from excavations in Latvia and North-Eastern Europe. The main object in is the reconstruction of a Viking Age lake settlement in its original location – on a small island in Lake Āraiši. Right next to the reconstruction, there are original Medieval castle ruins built by the Teutonic Order in the 14th century.
At Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park you can discover and explore dwellings from Stone Age to Middle Ages. There are reconstructions of Stone Age huts and a Bronze Age building that are built according to research data from excavations in Latvia and North-Eastern Europe....
Uldevens (LV)
Member of EXARC
No
On the bank of the river Daugava, Lielvarde was the site of a 13th century castle. Its ruins are still visible. Near the city centre, a 12th century fortified wooden settlement is reconstructed, called Uldevena koka pils. Uldevens is the name of a 12th century Latvian king. It is a private initiative based on archaeological samples supplied by scientific journals published in Latvia.
On the bank of the river Daugava, Lielvarde was the site of a 13th century castle. Its ruins are still visible. Near the city centre, a 12th century fortified wooden settlement is reconstructed, called Uldevena koka pils. Uldevens is the name of a 12th century Latvian king...
