Zemgale

Zemgale, also known under Latinized names Semigalia or Semigallia ( _lv. Zemgale; _de. Semgallen; _lt. Žiemgala) is an historical region of Latvia, sometimes also including a part of Lithuania. The region takes its name from the Baltic people known as Semigallians. Zemgale lies left of the Daugava River and borders Selonia, Lithuania, and Courland.

Within Latvia, Zemgale has the status of one of 4 cultural regions. It lies in the middle of the southern part of the Republic of Latvia, and consists of Bauska, Dobele, and Jelgava counties (rajons). The land is mostly flat. The Lielupe is the most important river after the Daugava. Important towns are Jelgava, the former capital of the Duchy of Courland and Semigalia, and Bauska.

In the Middle Ages Semigalia was included within Courland and passed with that territory to Latvia after World War I.

The region of Selonia is often included as part of Semigalia. Selonia comprises the eastern part of the 1939 province of Semigalia, an area completely located south of the Daugava River. Traditional Selonia also includes a portion of northeastern Lithuania. It takes its name from the Baltic tribe of the Selonians.

emigallian archaelogical sites in Latvia

Bauska district

Čapāni, Drenģeri-Čunkāni, Dumpji, Jumpravmuiža, Lielbertuši, Mežotne hillfort, Podiņi, Siliņi, Zeltiņi, Ziedoņskola

Dobele district

Atvases, Auce, Bāļas-Šķērstaiņi, Cibēni, Dobele hillfort, Gailīši, Grīnerti, Guntiņas, Īles mežniecība, Jāņogānas, Kaijukrogs, Ķūri, Lielogļi, Lozberģi, Oši, Skare, Tērvete hillfort

Jelgava district

Ciemalde, Diduļi, Eži, Gaideļi-Viduči, Kakužēni, Kalnaplāteri, Kraujas, Ķēķi, Mazgrauži, Pudžas, Rijnieki, Vilces parks

Saldus district

Griezes dzirnavas, Kerkliņi, Priedīši, Rūsīši-Debeši

Tukums district

Mutstrauti, Zante

Riga district

Pļavniekkalns

emigallian archaelogical sites in Lithuania

=Pasvalys district, Panevėžys County=

Ąžuolpamūšė hillfort, Berklainiai, Daujenai, Kyburtai, Meldiniai, Noriai, Pamiškiai settlement, Pamūše, Skrebotiškis, Smilgeliai, Šakarniai, Vaidžiūnai

=Akmenė district, Šiauliai County=

Balsai, Papile hillfort, Pavirvyte-Gudai, Šapnagiai, Viekšniai

=Joniškis district, Šiauliai County=

Budraičiai, Daugalaičiai, Daunorava, Dvareliškiai, Ivoškiai, Jauneikiai, Joniškis, Kalnelis (Sidabre hillfort), Lieporai, Linkaičiai, Linksmenai, Martyniškiai, Rudiškiai, Rukuižiai, Slepsniai, Spirakiai, Stungiai, Žagarė (Raktuve hillfort)

=Pakruojis district, Šiauliai County=

Aukštadvaris, Dargužiai, Degesiai, Diržiai, Dovainiškis, Karašilis, Karpiškiai, Kauksnujai, Lauksodis, Liesai, Linkavičiai, Linksmučiai, Linkuva, Paliečiai, Pamūšis, Pašvitinys, Peleniškiai, Petroniai, Plaučiškai, Sakališkiai, Stačiūnai, Šukioniai, Vebariai, Žeimelis

=Šiauliai district, Šiauliai County=

Daugelaičiai, Gibaičiai, Jakštaičiai, Jurgaičiai hillfort (Hill of Crosses), Kaupriai, Kybartiške, Mažeikiai, Norušaičiai settlement, Norvaišiai, Račiai, Ringuvenai, Valdomai, Visdergiai

References

* Žiemgaliai. The Semigallians. Baltic archaeological Exhibition Catalogue. Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus, Latvijas Vēstures muzejs, 2005
* [http://www.istorija.lt/la/arch20-05engVaskeviciute.htm Ilona Vaškevičiūtė. The Semigallian cultural area]