The beginning of the ice retreats during the Ice Age about 14,000 years ago, was the pre-condition of human settlement to the area we presently know as the city of Tartu. As the ice cover melted the primeval valley of the Emajõgi river and the foreland (small cape) of the Toomemägi hill were formed. Since then the territory between the valley and the hill has been a magnificent scene for human history through thousands of years.

Tartu and its surroundings are one of the few places where antiquities of very early human activities can be found, like burial site at Veibri village, or archaelogical finds at Ihaste, dating back to the Stone Age.

Most probably the Emajõgi river was one of the main causes for early settlements, being rich in fish and easy to access or go over.

The Toomemägi hill has been inhabited by people for more than a few thousand years. Its superb location on a little cape near the crossing point of the river, gave it a strategic value.

In 1030 Prince of Kiev, Yaroslav the Wise, burnt down the ancient Estonian stronghold on the Toomemägi hill and established his tax collection station instead - because of the favourable location. The event was mentioned in the chronicle of Yaroslav the Wise and it is the earliest written information on the history of Tartu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emajõgi river

http://www.loodushoid.ee/The_oxbow_lakes_of_River_Emajogi_50.htm