Priediens Burial Mound Site
The Priediens burial site is the largest burial ground (15.66 ha) in the Grobiņa archaeological ensemble. This site encompasses both flat graves of the Curonians and burial mounds of Scandinavian origin. Extensive and long-term archaeological research (conducted in 1839, 1895, 1929–1930, 1943, 1951, 1957, and 1984–1988) suggests that the site originally contained approximately 2,000 burials. Evidence from Priediens reveals burial traditions associated with both the Curonians and Scandinavian settlers, showcasing the interaction between these cultures. Curonian burials sometimes included Scandinavian artifacts, ornaments, or vice versa. This mutual influence, coupled with the proximity of Scandinavian graves to pre-existing Curonian ones, suggests that Curonians and Scandinavians coexisted in Grobiņa for about 200 years.
Burial Mounds
The main area of Priediens burial site are burial mounds from the mid-7th to early 9th centuries, linked to settlers from modern central Sweden. Approximately 430 mounds, ranging from 3–15 meters in diameter and 0.1–1.4 meters in height, were documented, although the original number was significantly higher. Around 110 mounds have been excavated, each typically containing a single cremated individual. Occasionally, two burials were found in one mound. The cremated remains—burnt bones, charcoal, and artifacts—were deposited in oval or circular pits (0.5–1.75 meters wide and 0.1–0.8 meters deep), which were then covered with sand mounds.
Flat Graves
In the northeastern part of the burial site, around 30 flat graves, associated with the Curonians, have been excavated. These burials span a long period from the 3rd to 7th/8th centuries and continued even after the 10th–13th centuries, after the end of Scandinavian community’s existence here. Most of the uncovered burials date to the 5th–7th/8th centuries and were in rectangular pits (approximately 2.5 x 1 meters, 0.3–0.8 meters deep). Grave goods included weapons typical of the Curonians (such as spearheads), tools (axes, scythes, knives, whetstones, spinning spindle whorls), ornaments (various brooches, amber and glass beads, spiral rings), and miniature clay vessels. Stones were often placed around the burials, forming rows or semi-circles.
Discovery
One of the most notable discoveries at Priediens is a stone stela engraved with the depiction of a waterfowl. Such stelae, typically erected to honor the deceased, are characteristic of Gotland during the 6th–7th centuries. This find is unique in the Eastern Baltic region, as such stelae are rarely found outside Gotland. The Grobiņa stela, the earliest known example outside Scandinavia, is now displayed at the Liepāja Museum and available in 3D online.
Novadays
The burial site suffered significant damage in the 19th century due to the construction of a rectory complex. In the latter half of the 20th century, residential buildings, horse stables, and utility structures were added. Today, parts of the burial site are used as grazing fields, while other sections remain untouched.
The Priediena burial site is part of the Grobiņa archaeological complex, which is included in Latvia's national list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Grobiņa archaeological ensemble
