Metal Processing

Acquisition of metalworking skills caused radical changes in both the pattern of settlement and the economy. The Bronze Age (1800 – 500 BC) and early metal period (500 BC to beginning of Christian era) in the Daugava valley was marked by emergence of several economic centers in the hillforts. Bronze imported from Central Europe and Scandinavia in exchange to local goods such as amber was later processed to produce tools, weapons, and jewelry. The most significant metal working places was the hillforts of Doles Ķivutkalns, Ikšķiles Vīnakalns, Ķekavas Klanģukalns, which were located in surroundings of Dole Island. Melting of bronze took place in open stone hearths using clay crucibles and moulds in shape of axe, ring, bracelet etc. These skills are associated by archaeologists with subsequent changes in the social structure, the spread of cattle breeding and development of agriculture, introduction of new cereal grains (wheat, barley, and millet).