The Vinculum was a location on the planet Cardassia Prime. It was used by the ancient Hebitian civilization in order to appoint a leader who were required to go on a pilgrimage with the Vinculum being the site where the living and the dead found a common ground. These leaders needed to make their peace with the dead because if they could not than they were seen as being unable to guide the living. The knowledge of this place was considered a great gift as it was the source of wisdom that few were allowed to experience or share.