In the Curonian Lagoon region of Lithuania, divers and archaeologists have recovered over 2,000 raw and polished amber beads from a submerged Neolithic sanctuary. The beads were found in a concentrated layer alongside charred oak wood, suggesting they were thrown into ritual fires during seasonal solstice celebrations. This practice of 'feeding the fire' with amber is a known element of Baltic mythology, but this find provides the earliest physical evidence of the tradition.
The site, dating to approximately 3,000 BCE, shows that the cult of the Sun and the ritual use of 'Northern Gold' (amber) were central to the identity of early Baltic tribes. "These festivals were the glue of the community," says researcher Dr. Linas Paukštis. The discovery offers a direct link to the modern Joninės (Midsummer) festivals, where fire and natural elements remain central to the heritage of the region.