Lietuvos archeologija

This article aims to discuss the possibilities and realities of using aDNA to assist in archaeological gender studies and to continue a dialogue concerning studying non-binary gender identities and non-heteronormative sexualities in past communities.

Šiame straipsnyje pristatomas M. K. Sarbievijaus veikalo Pagonių dievai (Dii gentium) vertimas (I–IV skyrių). Veikalas išsiskiria iš visų autoriaus kūrinių, reikšmingas tiek savo turiniu, tiek kultūriniu kontekstu. Išverstuose skyriuose randame daugelį žinomų mitų, aiškinamų alegoriškai, šventųjų vietų paaiškinimų ir romėnų dievų panteono suskirstymą. Nagrinėjamas išverstų dalių turinys, kūrinio intertekstualumas ir tiek istorinės, tiek kultūrinės aplinkybės. Darbe taip pat pateikiamas pirmasis keturių konkrečių skyrių vertimas į lietuvių kalbą su komentarais.

The article discusses the nature and significance of the settlement of the area bordered by Ašmenos, Mėsinių and Dysnos Streets in early Vilnius, and the links with the German Town. The period of research was chosen - from the first traces of human activity in this part of Vilnius to the 16th century, with particular emphasis on the earliest period - late 14th century - the first half of the 15th century, which is the least covered in Vilnius studies.

In this article, the shape of 14th–15th century pottery from Subačiaus Street 11, Vilnius, is analyzed through the application of big data analysis techniques (relational data model, Structured Query Language (SQL), programming language Python, and statistical methods). Two main tasks were carried out as part of this study, namely, the classification of the earliest shapes of pottery found in the potter’s workshop in Vilnius and the implementation of IT methods in the research of archaeological household pottery of Vilnius. A total of 1628 fragments of the upper part of vessels and complete vessels from two middens were analyzed to discern a morphological relationship of assemblages, to assess the diversity of shapes, as well as similarities and differences in techniques used during production. Further tasks include the classification of the shape of rims, profiles, and decorations. Both middens were found to contain pairs of similarly shaped sherds, leading us to conclude that although production was characterized by similar features, they were not identical—possibly due to minor differences in the chronology of the assemblages, different circumstances of artifacts’ deposition in archaeological layers, or because the two middens were used by several craftsmen with a common work experience.

The Daugava River has been one of the most important traffic arteries in the Eastern Baltic region. The establishment of more than 30 hillforts alongside this river reflects the importance of this waterway. Most of these hillforts are understudied. Thus, the bigger picture regarding the hillforts’ inhabitation patterns, chronology, environment, and function(s) remain unknown. As such, the INHILLDAUGAR project seeks to systematically analyze the river’s landscape on a macro scale by combining palaeoenvironmental, archaeological, and linguistic studies. This article presents the genesis of the INHILLDAUGAR project and preliminary results from the 2022 and 2023 field campaigns.

This paper focuses on a unique Nortycken-type bronze battle-axe recently discovered as part of the Late Bronze Age hoard (Br D – Ha A1) at the site Olešná in Southern Bohemia. The battle-axe probably originates from the Eastern Baltic or Northern Poland, where similar artifacts are primarily dated to Period I-III of the Bronze Age. The possible role of this artifact in Southern Bohemia remains in question. The Nortycken-type battle-axe was likely imported over a considerable distance, but there is no evidence of a connection to local Bronze Age elites. The archaeological record does not indicate the presence of such elites in the region of Southern Bohemia (Czech Republic).

Freshwater shells appear repeatedly in animal bone assemblages at Late Bronze Age settlements. This is not only the case in the inland, but also in regions fairly close to the Baltic Sea shore. Significant amounts of freshwater mussels are known especially from Polish and Northeastern German fortified settlements as well as in the Lithuanian lowlands. Several large shell finds from Late Bronze Age fortified settlements in these regions have been published recently, shedding new light on the use of aquatic resources. The majority of the freshwater mussels found belong to the Unio type, whose occurrence is particularly common in contexts of the Lusatian culture. Apparently, these mussels were intentionally selected for certain purposes. However, new excavations in Lithuania show that these selection processes can be observed over a much larger area than previously assumed. This article aims to present a brief overview of freshwater mussel gathering and consumption, analyzing such behavior in a wider context, with a focus on the consumption of mussels by Late Bronze Age communities in specific regions of Northeastern Europe. The significance of mussels as a resource is placed in a larger spatial context based on analogue finds.

Sadly, a great and famous Lithuanian archaeologist, Dr. Rimutė-Jablonskytė Rimantienė, passed away on July 4, 2023, aged 102. Her legacy is defined by an endless love of archaeology and a philosophical attitude, which encourages us to rethink the meaning of archaeology in these troubled times. Rimantienė underwent good and bad phases during her long life.