Skilji

Skilji is a Baltic tribe known from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD. The ancient Skilji inhabited the region of Skalvs Island, located in the present-day Gulf of Riga, Latvia.

The earliest written records of the Skilji date back to the Roman period, when they are mentioned in the works of the Roman historian Tacitus. According to Tacitus, the Skilji were a tribe that lived in the eastern part of the island, near the Myrigon or Memignon River.

The name "Skilji" is believed to come from the Livonian word "šilts," which means "forest" or "woods." This suggests that the Skilji may have had a close connection with the natural environment of their homeland.

Archaeological evidence confirms the existence of the Skilji in the region from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD. Finds from Skalvs Island include pottery, metalwork, and other artifacts that reflect the cultural exchange between the Skilji and other Baltic tribes.

The Skilji are also known to have had trade and cultural relations with the ancient Romans and other European civilizations. However, the specific nature and extent of these relations are not well documented in historical records.

The Skilji as a distinct tribe are thought to have disappeared around the 7th century AD, a period when large-scale migrations and changes in the social and cultural landscape of the region took place. Despite their relatively short and poorly documented history, the Skilji are still an important part of Baltic history and a subject of ongoing archaeological and historical research.