Two Hundred Years of Archaeology in Lithuania

assoc.prof. Aleksiejus Luchtanas Vilnius University

Department of Archaeology

Wishing to preserve relics from the past of Lithuania for the future generations, Dionizas Poška (1764 – 1830) founded in his homestead (outskirts of Samogitia) the first museum of historical antiquities in Lithuania. He cut down a thousand-year-old

oak tree, which was called Baublys, in 1812.

Second important period in history of Lithuanian archaeology is activity of Vilnius museum of antiquities and Vilnius Commission of Archaeology (1855 – 1865)

Archaeological excavations of Apuolė hill - fort (1931 –

1932) conducted by general Vladas Nagevičius

Excavations of stone age settlement in Šventoji (R. Rimantienė)

Figurines of elk made of antler and anthropomorphic wooden figurine found in

Šventoji settlement.

Examples of Late Neolithic pottery decorated with anthropomorphic figures from Nida archaeological site

Early hill - fort (East Lithuania, 1st

millennium BC)

At the moment there are about 3 000 archaeological sites included into Register of cultural heritage. 1 000 hill – forts among them.

One of the programs of the Department of Cultural

Heritage is repairing of hill – forts damaged by natural

processes.

Kernavė archaeological site was included into UNESCO world heritage

list in 2004.

Large- scale researches are carried out in medieval objects. They are adapted for the cultural tourism while exhibiting remains of architectural and

archaeological objects.

Dubingiai castle site – the residence of dukes Radziwill family

Stabatiškės manor site is the first and so far the only manor site in Lithuania that has been consistently and completely investigate (2009 – 2010).

Excavations in Vilnius old town. The quarter was completely demolished during the II WW. After researches the quarter was rebuilt using iconographic

material and data received from archaeological researches.

At present two universities in Lithuania prepare specialists of archaeology: Vilnius University since 1940, University of Klaipėda since 1994. Studies are in 3 stages:

bachelor (duration 4 years), master (2 years), doctoral (3 – 4 years).

Thank You for Your attention.

See You in Kernavė!