ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with interrelations between two essentially different cultural areas the east Baltic and the Germanic regions based on archaeological material obtained in the territory of the Latvian SSR. The architecture of medieval settlements is represented mostly by surface dwellings of both horizontal log and palisade construction. Investigation of medieval house construction in Latvia shows that between the 13th and the 15th centuries a more substantial change occurred in castles, towns, manor houses, and at centres where an immigrant population had settled. Research on medieval agricultural tools, such as iron-tipped parts of implements for working the soila and tools for harvesting and haymaking. The most prevalent ornaments are various pendant amulets, which, according to the belief of their wearers, were a protection against evil spirits. The bulk of the local population, in fact, especially in the rural areas, preserved pagan traditions for many centuries, and this is attested by the hill-top sanctuaries, sacred trees, and stone places of sacrifice.
