HIIS-SITES IN THE PARISHES OF RAPLA AND JUURU

Abstract

Holy places of Rapla and Juuru parishes in the surroundings of Keava hill fort in northern Estonia will be discussed in this chapter with special emphasis on a sole archaeological study at folkloristically known hiis-place at Palukula. It shows that different holy places of one area had different meanings and probably also different ritual practices. Also a connection between medieval churches and pre-Christian cult places, an important issue in popular history, will be discussed. 1 The excavations at Palukula hiis and writing the chapter have been supported by the target financed theme No. SF0030181s08 and the Estonian Science Foundation grant No. 6451.