Archaeologist Ilze Biruta Loze dies at age 90

Renowned Latvian archaeologist Ilze Biruta Loze has passed away at the age of 90. A corresponding member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Loze was a leading figure in Stone Age research in the Baltic region.

Loze began her career at the Latvian Institute of History in 1959 and served as the institute's leading researcher from 1993 onwards. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of the Lake Lubāns wetland area, which her research established as one of Europe's most important Stone Age settlement centers. During her career, she discovered approximately 27 settlements in the Lubāns area, providing extensive data on ancient subsistence strategies, architecture, and culture.

In addition to her work on settlements, Loze was a specialist in amber research, identifying the Lake Lubāns area as a significant center for amber processing. Her scientific contributions include over 400 publications and numerous monographs. For her lifetime contribution to Latvian archaeology, she was awarded the Order of the Three Stars and the Cabinet of Ministers Award.