Riņņukalns Settlement and Sacrificial Stone

State archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2511). An ancient cult site and one of the first discovered settlements of the Stone Age that has been scientifically studied since the 19th century. In the settlement site plenty of remains of food of the ancient people have been found — fishbones, shells, also various artefacts. The Sacrificial Stone has two bowl-type hollows (35 x 30 x 2 cm and 32 x 30 x 2 cm}. The distance between the bowls is — 6.5 cm, distance between the bowl centres — 45 cm. Some scholars believe that the stone was used more for household needs – polishing, sharpening (V. Avotiņš, I. Lukss. From Burtnieki to the Sea (No Burtniekiem līdz jūrai). 1999). In the excavations many bone tools, harpoons, fishing hooks, awls, daggers, etc. were found. The stone is situated in the canes of the Salaca River bank, 4 m north of the bush that is between the river and Riņņi Hill, 15 m north of the Riņņukalns Settlement, in summer — 1 m south of the water, in a swampy place, in the canes. During high water period, it is completely under the water or mud. A very rarely found type of hollow stones (Only 3 such objects in Latvia). The Riņņukalns Hollow Stone is the earliest known. Research proves that Riņņukalns has been inhabited already since the 2nd millennium BC. (J. Graudonis, J. Urtāns. Traces of Antiquity (Senatnes pēdās). 1961). Nearby: Vecate, Vecate Park, Salaca’s rise, Tūtere Oak Site.