Mäetagused (Aug 2009)
Hiied Eesti pühapaikade uurimisloos
Abstract
Sacred natural places, among which hiis sites form the best known and the most thoroughly investigated part, have started to attract multifarious scientific interest only recently. Although pagan sanctuaries have been the object of research for theclergy, politicians, and historians already since the 18th century, more general and analytical studies are still lacking. In this article I will try to offer a historiographical overview of sacred natural sites in Estonia and point out some aspects which play animportant role in the studies, even though the historical background of the topic has often been neglected.The earliest and probably the most famous description of holy places date from the beginning of the 13th century when the chronicler Henry of Livonia described twoplaces with a sacred forest in North Estonia. Throughout medieval and modern times, holy places were mentioned only in connection with the descriptions of the local people who worshipped idols. Such texts mainly mention the holy sites and the fact that offerings were made there reflect most importantly the veneration of trees, but also stones, and other objects. Until the first half of the 20th century holy places were interpreted mostly as sacrificial places – an interpretation which obviously derives from contemporary folklore.It is clear that since the majority of sources available on hiis sites is formed by undatable folk tradition, all speculations on the topic are very complicated and holy sites are perceived as something belonging to some timeless past.
