PREHISTORIC SITES FROM IKŠĶILE TO DOLE ISLAND

For thousands of years people inhabited the lower reaches of Daugava River. The first human settlements appeared here near present day Salaspils in late Paleolithic, some 10 000 years ago [Laukskola]. During the Bronze Age approximately 4000 years ago, the first metal processing and tradeing centers appeared in Daugava valley [Ķivutkalns, Klaņģukalns, Reznes, Spolīškalns, Vīnakalns]. During the late Iron Age (9th – 12th century AD) in the hillfort of Daugmale situated on the left bank of the river emerged a trading center of international significance. With the appearance of ancient Livs during this period a number of settlements formed both on the right bank of Daugava [Ikšķile, Kābeles, Jaunzemji, Lipši, Laukskola, Vējstūri] and on its islands [Mārtiņsala, also Rauši and Vampenieši on Doles Island]. In the late 12th century, the first Roman-Catholic churches were built in Ikšķile and Mārtiņsala along with the first medieval stone castles. Later these were acceded by other castles in Vecdole (13th century), Salaspils and Jaundole (14th century). The “parade” of significant heritage sites in the lower part of Daugava valley concludes by yet another military object: the Swedish Bastion built in Salaspils in the mid-17th century. Situated next to the medieval St. George’s church, it was the greatest fortification system of its age in the Baltic countries.

The map on the wall shows territory affected by reservoir of the Riga hydroelectric power station (HPS) built on the Dole Island near Ķivutkalns in 1975. This region was researched by several archaeological expeditions from 1966 to 1975 while the Riga HPS was in construction exploring 11 prehistoric settlements and 13 burial places, 5 hillforts as well as 5 medieval castles and 3 oldest churches in Latvia. Today half of the Dole Island, once 9 km long and the biggest on Daugava River is flooded by the reservoir covering also smaller islands of Nolpe and Mārtiņsala, and most of the heritage sites that can be seen on this map. Only the hillforts of Klanģukalns, Daugmale and Spolīškalns are preserved as well as the ruins of medieval churches in Ikšķile and Salaspils and small remains of castles in Vecdole and Jaundole. The Swedish Bastion in Salaspils was dug off while constructing the dam of the reservoir and the hillfort of Vīnakalns was cut across by Riga – Daugavpils highway.