The Birth of the Amber Culture

Tradition to craft human and animal amber figures was born 5300 to 1750 BC. by Narva culture, European Neolithic archaeological culture found in present-day Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kaliningrad Oblast (former East Prussia).

Baltic amber unusual characteristics made impression in the old hunting and fishing eastern Baltic culture. When burnt it spreads a pleasant pine scent, held in the hand was always warm. Material easy to craft what leaded to building articles.

One of the largest historical value collection 434 pieces called "Treasure of Juodkrante" gathered in village of Juodkrante in Curonian peninsula between 1860-1881. Archaeological value of this collection was not recognized, articles were sold by residents to tourists as the peculiarities of Juodkrante. Most part of the collection is lost, remaining articles resides in Ribnitz Damgarden museum, Germany.

Treasure collection consists of raw amber, pendants, carved animals figurines, polished and semi polished buttons, with pits and holes used for aesthetic purposes. Over 300 buttons were found with clothes in graves. Other ornaments includes lines and dots symbolizing life, fertility, celestial bodies and natural phenomena. Eyes of the dead were decorated with amber discs, this was done to protect as a protection of evil.

The treasure of Juodkrante imprints the birth of the amber jewelry culture in Baltic's, beginning of the path, first, cultural integration in Europe.