Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia
Project description
Project leader: Juris Urtāns (dr. hist., dr. habil. art.)
Project No: lzp-2024/1-0542
Project implementation: 1.01.2025.- 31.12.2027.
Project funding: 300 000.00 EUR
Funded by: Latvian Council of Science
Contacts: Dr.art. Ieva Vītola, ieva.vitola@lka.edu.lv
The project ‘Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia’ (No. lzp-2024/1-0542) is funded by the Latvian Council of Science.
Abstract
The objective of the project is to generate new knowledge about unique objects of Latvian cultural heritage: islands with archaeological significance located in Latvian lakes. The islands that have been inhabited and used in prehistoric and historic times, including the artificially created lake-settlements, are not only objects of archaeological importance but also places of contemporary relevance in the lake landscape. In order to explore these heritage sites, an interdisciplinary study is planned that will use methods validated in both archaeology and ethnology. The findings of the research will make a significant contribution to Latvian archaeological and ethnological science, create wider public interest in the archaeological heritage of inland waters. Furthermore, the research will contribute to the understanding of past and present interactions between humans and the environment, offering insights into the cultural practices that facilitate sustainable resource management. The implementation of the research will involve collaboration with students, the non-governmental sector, municipalities and cultural policy makers.
Project team
Juris Urtāns (Project Leader, galvenais izpildītājs)
Ieva Vītola (Project coordinator, Lead project participant)
Rūta Muktupāvela (galvenā izpildītāja)
Lolita Ozoliņa (Project participant)
Jānis Meinerts (Project participant)
Lote Katrīna Cērpa (Student project participant)
data management plan
The data management plan for the research project "Inland Water Archaeological Heritage: Islands and Lake Habitats in Latvian Lakes" is available here (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15100697)
Project activities
Article by Juris Urtāns about a Unique Discovery in Lake Indzers has been published
2.08.2026.
 | The August 2026 issue of the magazine “Ilustrētā Pasaules Vēsture” (Illustrated WorldHistory) features an article by archaeologist Juris Urtāns titled “Sena piekara noslēpumam pa pēdām” (Unraveling the Mystery of the Ancient Pendant). It is a continuation of the research project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” carried out by LAC IACS, which sought to clarify the origin and purpose of a pendant discovered in Alūksne municipality a year ago.The short article, featuring an illustration of the pendant, is a follow-up to Juris Urtāns’s article about this peculiar artifact which appeared in the May 2026 issue of the magazine. A new breakthrough on the interpretation of the only discovery of this kind in Latvia until this point was inspired by attending this spring’s conference in Tartu as part of the research project. During the conference, Estonian archaeologists shared their knowledge about pendants of this kind that have been discovered in Estonia. Perhaps, the Latvian pendant reveals a connection with the neighbouring land, and once upon a time, before sinking to the lakebed, it had belonged to an Orthodox Estonian woman living by the border! Read Juris Urtāns’s article to find out what connection the pendant found in Lake Alūksne might have not only with Estonians, but also with Chinese pottery paintings! |
Lolita Ozoliņa participates in ISFNR conference “Nature(s) in Narrative” in Reykjavik
16.06.2026.
 | From June 13 to 16, 2026, the international conference “Nature(s) in Narrative” took place in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. It was organised by the The International Society For Folk Narrative Research (ISFNR) in collaboration with the University of Iceland.At the conference panel “Roots and voices: exploring nature, identity, and the sacred in oral narratives from indigenous communities across cultures and continents”, where researchers form various countries discuss the significance of place, identity, cultural memory, and narratives of community identity. The Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies researcher Ph.D. Lolita Ozoliņa also joined the discussions. In her paper “Decentering Heritage: A Narrative Approach to Subaltern Place Identities”, she focuses on studying narratives of subaltern identity in local communities, analyzing how intagible cultural heritage and stories told by communities shape a sense of belonging and local identity. |
Four Expeditions to Eight Lake Dwellings have been carried out
10.06.2026.
As part of the project Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (lead by LAC IACS lead researcher Juris Urtāns; project No. lzp-2024/1-0542), during May and June of 2026, important works were conducted not only in the context of the project, but in the entire archaeology field of Latvia – 8 out of 10 most well known Latgalian lake dwellings in Vidzeme Upland were surveyed.
All of these objects were discovered by Jānis Apals, the pioneer of underwater archaeology in Latvia. The last time these objects were surveyed underwater more than 30 years ago, in 1993 and 1994, and the available information on the findings has been minimal. Thus, the completed works during this spring have been very important not only for recording the current conditions of these rare and valuable archaeological sites, but also for bringing them back into the spotlight of current research. During the expeditions, a plethora of underwater photo and video materials have been acquired, which was not available until this point. Also, a great amount of new information has been gained regarding the configuration of the lake dwellings, as well as wooden structures dating back more than 1000 years – some visible underwater and others detectable only by touch beneath layers of silt. It is important to note that the works were mainly carried out in conditions of very poor visibility, so the divers surveyed the objects by touch rather than by sight.
The backbone of the expedition led by LAC IACS researcher Jānis Meinerts and lead researcher Juris Urtāns was made up by Laimnesis Markūns, Saulvedis Vārpiņš, Ainārs Rancāns and Iveta Pazare, volunteer divers form the “Undewater Cultural Heritage Association”, as well as emerging archaeologist and diver Agnese Čakare. Archaeologist Kaspars Markus Molls and his Lithuanian colleagues – archaeologists Roks Kraņausks, Elena Pranckenaite, and Ingrīda Čičiurkaite – also participated in the final expedition.
On behalf of the project team, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone that has contributed to the survey works – to the kind local residents, state and municipal authorities, but especially to the divers of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Association, without whose selfless contribution this would not have been possible!
Juris Urtāns’ article “Island Upursala on Cirišs Lake in Aglona: historical and cultural containments”
5.05.2026.
As part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542), the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies leading researcher and archeologist Juris Urtāns’ article “Island Upursala on Cirišs Lake in Aglona: historical and cultural containments” has been prepared and published on the Daugavpils University collection of articles “History: Sources and People”.
The article can be read and is available here: Aglonas Ciriša ezera Upursala. Kultūrvēsturiskie ietvērumi < Daugavpils Universitāte
Lake Krīgāni in Selonia has been surveyed
27.04.2026.
There are well known lake dwellings in Vidzeme, out of which the most recognisable is the reconstructed Āraiši Lake Castle. However, as it turns out, people have inhabited other lake islands in different regions of Latvia, and it has been the case for a long time, spanning several centuries and even millennia. One such, albeit relatively small is located in Selonia – in the Rite Parish of Jēkabpils municipality, within the severely overgrown Lake Krīgāni. As suggested by previous archaeological exploration, people have inhabited the territory around Lake Krīgāni and on its island from the Stone Age, taking up both fishing and farming.
In order to obtain new information about Krīgāni Island Lake and its adjacent lakebed, a survey led by the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies lead researcher and archaeologist Juris Urtāns was conducted in April, as part of the project funded by Latvian Council of Science “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”. Thank you for cooperation to the Underwater Cultural Heritage Association, especially Laimnesis Markūns!
Lakes of nine lake dwellings have been surveyed
3.04.2026.
 | In the beginning of April, as part of the research project carried out by the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542), a preliminary exploration trip to the municipalities of Gulbene, Madona, and Cēsis took place.During the trip, project participants Ieva Vītola, archaologists Juris Urtāns and Jānis Meinerts surveyed nine lakes in total, in which lake dwellings are situated – a unique category of archaeological monument. In the lakes of Vidzeme, a total of 10 lake dwellings has been acknowledged, and, excluding Lake Āraiši, such have been detected also in Lake Pintelis / Lisa, Lake Bakāns, Lake Ušurs, Lake Ižezers, Lake Salas, Lake Liezēre, Lake Briči, Lake Dūķi, and Auļukalns Hill Lake. Taking into account the fact that during May and June more thorough underwater survey works will be conducted in these lake dwellings, this trip will allow to assess their accessibility and, to the extent possible, to meet with the residents of the homes near the lakes, to establish contacts and begin cooperation. |
Seminar “Lake Islands of Latvia: Archaeology and Folklore”
2.02.2026.
Since 2025, the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” has been carried out by the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies. Within the project, unique Latvian cultural heritage objects are being studied – natural islands with an archaological significance and artificial lake dwellings located within Latvia’s lakes.
During the seminar, the project implementers will introduce the research objectives, applied methods, as well as the acquired data and lake island survey results from the first year of the project. Rūta Muktupāvela will bring insight in the theoretical concept of an island, Juris Urtāns and Jānis Meinerts will describe the surveyed lake islands to date, the findings on and around them, and the work to be completed in the coming years of the project, whereas Ieva Vītola will present the key issues in research of lake island folkore and intangible cultural heritage in relation to the observed migration in the area surrounding the lakes.
Project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542) is carried out from 2025 until 2027, and it is funded by the Latvian Council of Science.
Stories from Jānis Meinerts on Latvijas Radio 3
29.01.2026.
As part of the LAC project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”, in collaboration with Latvijas Radio 3, IACS researcher Jānis Meinerts’ stories about topics related to the research project have been produced. Materials have been prepared in collaboration with IACS lead researcher Jānis Urtāns and lead researcher Ieva Vītola.
Story about Upursala at Lake Ciriša in Aglona 8.01.2026.: https://klasika.lsm.lv/.../vai-zini-ka-aglonas-cirisa.../
Story about lake tales 15.01.2026.: https://klasika.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/vai-zini/vai-zini-ka-ezeri-kadreiz-esot-lidojusi-pa-gaisu.a216566/
Story about lake dwellings 22.01.2026.: https://klasika.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/vai-zini/vai-zini-ka-latvijas-ezeros-ir-desmit-senas-ezermitnes
Story about Āraiši Lake Castle 29.01.2026.: https://klasika.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/vai-zini/vai-zini-ka-tika-atklata-un-augsamcelta-araisu-ezerpils.a217137/
Surveys of Latvia’s lake islands continue in Semigalia
27.10.2025.
From October 17 to 20, 2025, as part of the research project conducted by LAC “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”, under the leadership of IACS lead researcher Juris Urtāns and researcher Jānis Meinerts, archaeologists Mārcis Kalniņš, Kaspars Markus Molls, Agnese Čakare, and volunteering divers from the Underwater Cultural Heritage Association continued surveying Latvia’s lake islands in Semigalia. This time islands of three lakes were at the centre of attention – one of each Lake Sekstu and Lake Jašas-Bicānu, as well as three islands of one of the most beautiful lakes of Semigalia, Rušons.
On the island of Lake Sekstu, next to Rušenica hillfort, visually no cultural layer has been detected, and neither were any findings confirming ancient settlement discovered, however, phosphate analyses conducted under field conditions did indicate a long-term presence on the island. On the island of Lake Jašas-Bicānu, at the Jaroslaukas settlement, shards of hand-made pottery were found, and phosphate analyses have confirmed that the area of the settlement is smaller than previously thought. Unfortunately, underwater survey work here did not yield the expected results, as it turned out that the lakebed is covered by a very thick layer of silt (more than 1m in some parts). In the Liepu (Kungu) Island and Govsaliņas Peninsula at Lake Rušons no signs of ancient settlements were found; they were also not found during the underwayer survey of Govsaliņas Peninsula’s shores. During explorations with a hand-held geological probe and phosphate analyses, no evidence of prolonged human settlement on the island could be found, however, a previously unrecorded site was discovered at the foot of Upurkalns Hill where fragments of pottery and flint suggest an intermittent human presence on the island during various periods. Likewise, accounts from local residents about shoals in the lake, as well as the use of Upursala during the manor era were documented, and the pond mentioned in these accounts, located at the tip of the island, was identified. The survey of Upursala was of special significance for Juris Urtāns, under whose leadership archaeological excavations were conducted here 45 years ago, back in the now distant year of 1980.
Rūta Muktupāvela and Lote Katrīna Cērpa take part in networking event “The UNESCO Chair´s brownbag session – “Have lunch with us””
8.10.2025.
On October 8, 2025, Rūta Muktupāvela and Lote Katrīna Cērpa, representatives of the LAC Institure of Arts and Cultural Studies, took part in an online networking event organized by the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences “The UNESCO Chair´s brownbag session – “Have lunch with us””, which is held regularly to provide an opportunity for a bried exchange of updates on research developments in different countries and universities.
In this event, a short paper was presented: “Is intangible heritage becoming too intangible - vanishing faster than we can document it?”, which was made in collaboration with Ieva Vītola. The aim of the paper was to introduce international colleagues with the studies of the cultural heritage field that have been conducted at the Latvian Academy of Culture during the recent years, focusing on the longevity of intangible cultural heritage within the context of ongoing depopulation and migration in Latvia.
More information about the initiative “The UNESCO Chair´s brownbag session – “Have lunch with us”” is available here - https://www.fh-kaernten.at/en/further-education/unesco-chair
The paper has been prepared as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Lote Katrīna Cērpa takes part in conference “Heritage and Depopulation in Europe”
28.08.2025.
On August 27–29, IACS scientific assistant Lote Katrīna Cērpa took part in conference “Heritage and Depopulation in Europe” which was organized in Charles University Faculty of Humanities, Czech Republic. During the conference, the paper “Depopulation, migration and the threats to intangible cultural heritage in rural Latvia”, prepared jointly by Ieva Vītola, IACS lead researcher, and Lote, was presented.
The paper was based on the observed trends and findings from three studies that have been carried out during the last few years (and are still being continued) under the auspices of IACS: “Newly discovered hillforts in Latvia 2018-2021: cultural-historical significance” (No. lzp-2020/2-0078); "Landscapes of Identities: History, Culture, and Environment” (No. VPP-LETONIKA-2021/1-0008); “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (Nr. lzp-2024/1-0542). Participation in the conference took place as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Islands of Lake Insesis have been surveyed
25.08.2025.
As part of the LAC IACS research project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”, archaeologists Juris Urtāns, Jānis Meinerts, and Mārcis Kalniņš surveyed the islands of Lake Inesis during mid-August. Until now, the only archaeological research has been conducted on only one of the islands during the 1920s, but now five biggest islands of Lake Inesis have been surveyed, which has helped to establish a sufficiently comprehensive overview of the possible archaeological evidence on the islands of this lake.
Unfortunately, evidence of long-term human presence in earlier times was not detectable – neither an ancient cultural layer nor traces of stone cairn burial grounds, as noted in the archive materials, could be found. But even negative results are no less important! Thank you for collaboration to Ainārs Šteins and @Gaujas association of sustainable development!
Elkukalns – an island in Zemgale – was surveyed as part of the study
6.07.2025.
On July 3, 2025, a field trip to Dobele municipality in Semigalia was conducted as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Archaeologists Juris Urtāns, Jānis Meinerts, and Mārcis Kalniņš surveyed Elkukalns – an island located between Lakes Svēte and Zebrus. In 1999, as Elkukalns was included in the list of cultural heritage monuments as a place of worship, archaeological surveys were conducted under the supervision of Juris Urtāns. Even though no cultural layer can be detected in Elkukalns, it still might be used for sacral purposes, which can be observed in the many signs of neopaganism traditions left on the hill.
Lake surveys taking place in Ludza municipality
15.06.2025.
In early June 2025, a field trip to Ludza municipality was conducted as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Archaeologists Juris Urtāns, Jānis Meinerts, and Mārcis Kalniņš surveyed the islands of Lake Franapole and Big Lake of Ludza, on which a cultural layer or archaologically significant findings have been discovered. During the trip, a visit was paid to the Ludza Museum of Regional Studies, as its collection houses fundamental evidence relating to the subjects of research, as well as the research works carried out in the Big Lake of Ludza back in 1959. Big thank you for cooperation to boatman Jānis Kondrāts and Ludza Museum of Regional Studies, especially Iveta Matvijenko!
Jānis Meinerts participates in conference “Changing Currents: Old Finds, New Perspectives”
11.06.2025.
Jānis Meinerts, archaeologist and researcher of the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies, is participating in this week’s international conference “Changing Currents: Old Finds, New Perspectives”, which is organised by the Estonian Maritime Museum and is focused on the topic of underwater archaeology development in the Baltic Sea region. The conference is taking place in Käina, Hiiumaa Island.
Paper and presentation “Inland underwater archaeology in Latvia: from humble beginnings to greatness and back again” by Jānis Meinerts has been prepared as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Juris Urtāns participates in conference “History; Sources and People”
8.05.2025.
Jānis Urtāns, the lead researcher of the Latvian Academy of Culture Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies and leader of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”, is participating in the international scientific conference “History; Sources and People” on May 8 and 9, 2025, which is organised by the Daugavpils University Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The presentation of “Island Upursala on Cirišs Lake in Aglona: historical and cultural containments” will take place in Daugavpils. This paper has been prepared and participation in the conference is taking place as part of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542).
Survey work has begun on the lakes of Alūksne municipality
6.05.2025.
During the May holidays, first survey works took place as part of the research project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542, led by dr. hist., dr. habil. art. J. Urtāns).
In collaboration with divers from the Underwater Cultural Heritage Association, the islands of Alūksne and Indzers lakes were surveyed. Both islands have provided new arcaeological findings that added to what was already known about human presence on the islands more than a thousand years ago.
From 2025 until 2027 the Latvian Academy of Culture is conducting a project supported by the Latvian Council of Science that will carry out surveys of at least 28 islands in Latvian lakes on which either an archaeological cultural layer has been identified or artefacts have been found.
A big thank you for cooperation to Māris Lietuvietis and Andris Jerums, the lake managers for the Alūksne district; to Intars Dambis, the captain of the boat “Marienburg”; and to the Underwater Cultural Heritage Association, especially Iveta, Laimnesis, Ainārs, and Saulvedis!
What does underwater archaeology study? Jānis Meinerts and Kaspars Markuss Molls are visiting Latvijas Radio
22.04.2025.
On April 22, 2025, the Latvijas Radio 1 programme “Zināmais nezināmajā” (The Known in the Unknown) featured the researchers behind the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” – underwater archaeology experts Jānis Meinerts and Kaspars Markuss Molls.
A recording of the programme is available here: https://lr1.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/zinamais-nezinamaja/udenos-nogrimusie-dargumi.-ko-peta-zemudens-arheologija.a205776/
Researchers at the Latvian Academy of Culture participate in a seminar on the connection between climate change and living heritage
6.03.2025.
LAC IACS researchers Ieva and Jānis who are currently implementing the research project SALAS (Islands) “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” (No. lzp-2024/1-0542) joined in conversations on climate and culture “Green Heritage” which took place on March 6 and 7, 2025 and was organised by University of Latvia Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art.
See more about the seminar here: https://lulfmi.lv/jaunumi/spriez-par-klimata-parmainu-un-dziva-mantojuma-mijiedarbi
A study of archaeologically significant islands in Latvia’s lakes has begun at the Latvian Academy of Culture
23.01.2025.
In 2025, Latvian Academy of Culture began to carry out another Fundamental and Applied Research project supported by Latvian Council of Science “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia”.
The project will entail a three-year study of unique Latvian cultural heritage objects – islands within Latvian lakes with archaeological significance. As of now, lake islands with such archaeological reports or withstanding word-of-mouth accounts of their significance in the past amount to at least 28. Most of them are located in the lakes of Vidzeme (Vidzeme) and Latgalia (Latgale), and one in each Courland (Kurzeme), Semigalia (Zemgale), and Selonia (Sēlija).
Research foresees the survey of archaeologically significant islands and lake dwellings within the landscapes, as well as systematisation and scientific documentation of these objects. The middle stage of the project is planned to include small-scale archaeological test excavations on the lake islands of Alūksne and Ludza municipalities. Given that the sites under investigation include 11 lake dwellings built by the ancient Latgalians on artificial islands, divers will be engaged in the project, and the lakes will be scanned with a side-scan sonar (SSS). For the first time ever, it will allow to gain a precise spatial view of the settlements’ geometry, volume, and perhaps even separate constructions. Since the prehistorically and historically inhabited islands, as well as artificial lake dwellings, are not only archaeologically significant objects, but also the sites associated with legends and tales, and, furthermore, they are still relevant in the modern-day landscape, an interdisciplinary study will take place with methods approbated in ethnology – both ethnographic observations and partly structured interviews. This data will be then used to research the inhabitants of the lakesides, opinions and knowledge of the visitors of the lakes and islands. The results of this study will bring forth new knowledge and will contribute to Latvian archaeological and ethnological sciences, as well as encourage wider interest in society about the archaeological heritage of inland waters. During the project, scientific and popular science publications will be produced, in addition with lectures, a travelling exhibition, and recommendations to the cultural policy makers and implementers about the maintenance of the legacy of inland waters.
The leader of the project “Archaeological heritage in inland waters: islands and lake-settlements in lakes of Latvia” is an archaeologist, LAC Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies lead researcher Juris Urtāns. Research will be carried out by LAC IACS lead researcher Ieva Vītola (project coordinator, lead project participant) and Rūta Muktupāvela (lead project participant), LAC IACS researcher Jānis Meinerts (project participant), LAC IACS scientific assistants Lolita Ozoliņa (project participant) and Lote Katrīna Cērpa (student project participant). As the project goes on, the research team will add at least two more student project participants.
