Latvia, Giris Island - Meitu sala prehistoric site

Girls island, the earliest human settlement by the shore of Lake Arsai dates right back to the Stone Age. This is shown by stray finds of Stone Age artefacts found during the archaeological excavation at the Viking age Araisi lake Fortress (9th -10th century) . The recosnstruction of the Bronze Age house is based on evidence obtained in archaeological excavation at Bronze Age settlement sites in Latvia. About 4,400 years ago a permanent Neolithic base settlement was built on the banks of lake Purciems with several seasonal cultic settlements. One of them was situated next to the white dune. The sand outcrops of the white dune are the result of human activity. The present Pilsupe river serves as a watercourse to the sea made about 150 years ago to drain the shallow lake Purciems for agricultural needs.