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P R E FAC E
An integral part of the Turaida Historical Centre is the cultural and historical heritage
of the Gauja Livs. Turaida hillfort, where the wooden stronghold of the Livs was located,
Turaida Baznīckalns (Church Hill) with burials of the first baptized Livs, the Hill of Dainas
or Jelgavkalns, the ancient site of the Liv village – they all give evidence of this heritage.
Since 1994, the Turaida Museum Reserve, a specially protected cultural monument –
has been implementing a project „The Gauja Livs in the Cultural History of Latvia.” During
the implementation phase expeditions were organized and information gathered about
the historical area and cultural monuments of the Gauja Livs, archaeological sites of the
Livs were investigated, conservation and scientific processing of artefacts was carried out,
and several permanent and temporary exhibitions and digital programmes were arranged,
and scientific conferences were held, etc.
In 2010, after restoration of the Gardener’s house, the Turaida Museum Reserve ob-
tained new premises for the exhibition „The Gauja Livs in the Cultural History of Latvia.” In
this exhibition focusing on the belonging of the Liv language to the Baltic Finnish language
group, on the daily life of the Livs and their mythical concepts as well as the administration
system and changes in the life of the Gauja Livs in the 13th century, of particular signifi-
cance is the hoard of silver ornaments and coins of the Gauja Livs found in Ragana area.
On the eve of the 800th anniversary celebration of Sigulda town, a silver hoard was
found and it was acquired by the Turaida Museum Reserve. The hoard contains 176 ar-
tefacts and it is a genuine collection of treasures. There is no other so rich hoard in the
collection of the Museum Reserve. Silver rings, bracelets, spirals, pendants, coins give
evidence not only of the material position and culture of the Gauja Livs, but also of mutual
communication, in the 13th–16th centuries, with neighbouring peoples in Russia, Scandi-
navia and Western Europe. The River Gauja is an important traffic and trade route, which,
like overland routes, facilitated the economic growth and had an impact on the traditions
and lifestyle of the Livs.
The aim of the Catalogue of Krimuldas Ragana Hoard is to show the unique historical
source about the cultural heritage of the Gauja Livs and provide information on this rare find that
is stored in the collection of the Turaida Museum Reserve and is displayed in the exhibition.
Anna Jurkāne
, Director of Turaida Museum Reserve
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