The Ancient Livs during the Late Iron Age

The ancient Livs representing a local sub-ethnos of the Baltic Finns settled in the lower part of Daugava valley from Aizkraukle to the Gulf of Riga in the 10th century AD. The heartland of their territory was located along the riverside near Salaspils (named Holme in early 13th century), Daugmale hillfort and the Dole Island. Material culture of the Livs included elements of the Baltic Finns, the Scandinavians, and various sub-ethnicities of the ancient Balts. Considering trade as the main occupation for this community around 1200, its culture also featured particular influence from the East – the Byzantium and the Arabs. However, the Scandinavian elements were most significant because of personal contacts and co-existence evident in archaeological material of Salaspils Laukskola site, such as the ornaments of so-called turtle brooches worn by local women in the 10th and 13th century.