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Guntis Zemītis
O R NA M E N T S O F T H E K R I M U L DA S
R AG A NA HOA R D
SPIRAL ARM-RINGS
The hoard includes four twisted spiral arm-rings with loop terminals (TMR 24326–
24329). Twisted spiral arm-rings with loop terminals are known from several hoards in
Latvia, namely at Aizkraukle Hillfort, Kušķi (Liepāja District) and Jaunzemji (Liepāja Dis-
trict),
1
and spirals with other forms of terminals are known from the Salgale Pudži Hoard.
2
The spiral arm-ring in the Aizkraukle Hillfort hoard had been buried in ashy earth, with
190 intact and cut Western European coins inside it, the youngest being a coin of Count
Egbert II (1068–1090). The hoard is dated to the second half of the 11th century.
3
Silver
spiral arm-rings are also known from the hoards on Gotland. They are thought to origi-
nate in the Western Baltic, where they occur up to the 13th century.
4
ARM-RINGS
The Krimuldas Ragana Hoard includes two hammered arm-rings (TMR 24330, 24331).
Such hammered arm-rings bars generally occur in hoards.The Salgale Rijnieki Hoard includes
nineteen hammered spiral bars,
5
the Lēdurga Hoard has three (11th century)
6
and the Līvānu
Straumes Hoard has four.
7
The bars most similar to those of the Ragana Hoard have been
found in the Ipši Hoard, recovered near Ogre (second half of the 11th century, decorated with
a triangle)
8
and the Grumalti Hoard on the island of Mārtiņsala (11th–12th centuries).
9
The
arm-rings of the Ragana Hoard may be dated similarly, to the late 11th or early 12th century.
BRACELETS
The Ragana Hoard includes five hollow bracelets with narrowed terminals (TMR
24332, 24333, 24334, 24335, 24336) and four fragments of such bracelets (TMR 24341,
22