A Journey through Lithuania 5
We finally came to Varnupiai where we went to the Kirvakalnis festival, organised by the Club of Experimental Archaeology, Pajauta (http://pajauta.puslapiai.lt/galerija.htm) It unites Lithuanian people who are interested in experimental archaeology, ancient trade and crafts reconstruction.
Pajauta represents 25 different ancient crafts and their technologies, such as
- making bark baskets, bows and arrows, glass beads, jewellery, coins, pottery and wooden ware
- wood carving and metal work
- processing fur, leather, bone, horn, flint and amber
- knitting nets, spinning and weaving cloth, and making clothes
- preparing archaic food and practising ancient medicine.
We had a lovely day over here! The weather was great and the atmosphere was so peaceful!
We tried ‘archaic food’, cooked straight in front of us, bought brass and copper jewellery, linen clothes, hand woven strands, clay bells for house decoration and herbal tea. My friend was just enchanted by what she saw!
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Kirvakalnis hill fort is the cultural monument of the state. A part of the hill fort, the Padkavinė mound, dating from 1000 BC, has a stone called ‘The Pagan God’ on the top. On it is carved a horseshoe which is said to mark the burial of a hoard of Napoleon’s treasure. The Plyniai ancient burial place is to the east of the hill fort. |
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People enjoying the festival. |
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Wild boar fur. |
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Horns used for drinking. At the back you can see kanklės (traditional musical instruments). |
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Hand made pottery. |
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Food products as they were used by the tribes who lived in the area. |
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Wooden chests. |
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Belts and purses. |
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Baltic brass jewellery. |
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Baltic armoury. |
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Baltic skydai (shields). |
