The beginnings

 

The idea to form an experimental archaeology and ancient warfare club was born about the years 1999 to 2000. However, they began to materialize in the middle of the year 2002, when Artūrs Tomsons, a history student of that time, came up with the idea to organize camps with the objective to popularize the ancient history of Latvia.

Together with another two people who were sharing his ideas — the students of geography Artis and Dagnija Āboltiņi — the three future grounders of „Senzeme” took part in the III Baltic Medieval festival in July of the year 2003. It resulted in the decision to form a larger organization.

At first, the best shape of activities for the newly formed club was being searched. In the first year, when the group still had no name, the main activities were camps of the sport- and handicraft-style. In the year 2003 two such camps were organized, and the participants were all invited — friends and relatives (for more detailed information, see Senlatvieši III-IV).

Little by little, the mass-event concept was dismissed, and it was decided to transform the now bigger group into a group of experimental archaeology.

The first events we took part in with the name „Senzeme”, were the 80th anniversary of the Academic Library of Latvia, and the IV Baltic Medieval Festival in Cēsis town, June 2004.

In the beginning of the year 2006, „Senzeme” was registered in the Commercial Register of Latvia. Since the very beginnings, the number of the participants has increased rapidly — from 3 to somewhat 25 members.

 

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