Kapsēde stone - Cup Mark Stone

Medzes pagasts

Cup Mark Stone is regarded as the earliest known cult stone in Latvia. Probably several thousand years ago circular grooves were made on its surface, using some other small stone. To this day its true meaning still has not been clarified, but quite a few versions appear as regards why it was made by ancient man. For example, probably it marked the birth or death of man, created stellar card, performed religious rituals, for economic reasons, folk medicine, and other assumptions might be valid as well.

Typology: Cup Mark Stone-archaeological significance, stone, boulder.

Dimensions: 3.9 m long, 2.8 m wide, up to 2 m high, circumference of 11.50 m, and the volume of 11 cubic meters.

Geological description: rust and brown coloured granite boulder. Its texture is spotted, that is determined by the uneven small quantity Ovoid presence in the rock. Its size reaches 4-5 cm and plagioclase edge thickness of up to 3-5 mm. Stone surface is significantly, but unevenly weathered. Stone dissected by several cracks. It is found in the original site.

Cultural description: within the Stone Research Project, Latvian Petroglyphs Centre expedition on 5 April 2008 revealed that up to now well-known boulder is also an archaeological monument – hitherto-unknown Cup Mark Stone. Stone top has at least 7 convincing quality holes allegedly made in the Bronze Age, i.e. well before our Era. One of the most significant discoveries of the year 2008. The surface of stone features several drilling spots, which demonstrates that the stone at some stage in the ancient times was intended for breaking down. Let’s respect and protect our own history!