Jaunākie pētījumi Sidabrenes (Kalnjeles) arheoloģiskajos pieminekļos

ENThe Semigallian castle of Sidabre (Sidabrene) is mentioned in written sources in 1289-1290. In 1290 it was abandoned: some of the residents left for Lithuania, while others, on the otder of the Commander of Mitau, were sent to the present area of Jelgava. Researchers have been interested in locating the castle of Sidabre already from the mid-19th century. The majority of researchers agree that it was situated in present-day Lithuania, in the village of Kalnelis, 3 km NW of Joniskis. The complex of archaeological monuments at Kalnelis consists of two hillforts, an early town site and the pre-Christian cemetery of Uzupiai. These have been badly damaged as a result of human activities. The most extensive excavation was conducted here in 1990. (The excavation material has been published.) In 2003, archaeological survey work was conducted here. In the course of this research, the precise chronology of these monuments was established: 5th-13th and 16th-20th centuries. Additional data on the archaeological sites of Kalnelis (Sidabre) comes from several stray finds and reports found in archives (for example, in the report of an expedition led by R Stepins in 1942 doubts are expressed as to the existence of the first hillfort). The archaeological material is similar to that obtained from other excavated Semigallian sites.The latest archaeological finds suggest that after the end of the crusade, not all the inhabitants left, part of the population remaining here during the 14th-15th centuries. The archaeological material indicates that trade was not equally intensive throughout Semigallia. In terms of the distribution of finds connected with trade, three regions can be distinguished in Semigallia: trade was most active in eastern Semigallia, with western Semigallia in second place and southern Semigallia third. The district of Sidabre belonged to the last mentioned region. There is a long-standing debate about whether the castle of Sidabre belonged to the land of Zagare or Upmale, or whether there was a separate land of Sidabre. Archaeological, historical and linguistic data indicate that in the 11th-13th centuries there existed a separate land of Sidabre. [From the publication]

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