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Since Monday, October 27th, the research group of the Centre of Estonian Natural Sacred Places at the University of Tartu has been working on Muhu island, Western Estonia. The researchers from the University of Tartu, Estonian Literary Museum and Maavalla Koda are mapping and describing sacred stones, trees and springs.

Muhu sacred places have been researched since 2004. So far more than 60 places have been found and described. More than 20 healing stones and springs and even 2 sacred groves have been found that were not publicly known before. It is mostly the old people who know and remember about the sacred sites. On many occasions, old people who know about a sacred place have passed away before the researchers have been able to hear their stories. But some stories have been heard and the places found in time.

Most of the sacred places lack visible features that would distinguish them from other kinds of places. So it is mostly due to folklore, historical memory that confirms the existence of a sacred site and determines its location. For this reason, local people need to be questioned thoroughly in addition to preceding archive studies. A sacred site will be mapped and described only after finding reliable location data.

The sacred places have been concealed for centuries and only randomly researched during the last century. Therefore most of them are still unlocated. Tens of researchers need to work at least ten years in order to find and study all the preserved sacred sites. The work can be done this fast only if the government allots money for that purpose.

Ministry of Culture Laine Jänes approved the state programme of historical natural sacred places this spring. Apparently it is not among the important things for the Ministry to preserve the sacred places, for its budget has been reduced to 10% of the planned. This may result in the extinction of tens or even hundreds of historical sacred sites.

Maavalla Koda