Authors:Algimantas Merkevičius Pages: 10 - 18 Abstract: Birutė Marija Alseikaitė-Gimbutienė (English Marija Gimbutas), is one of the most prominent and well-known archaeologists of the 20th century, pioneer of archaeomythology, creator of new theories in archaeology. In her scientific research, she paid a great attention to the ethnic origins and development of nations. This article analyzes the Theory of Baltic Ethnic Origins formulated by Gimbutas. The solution to this important scientific problem involves two main research stages. The first stage is formulation of the Theory of Indo-European homeland, named the Kurgans Theory. The second stage is formulation of the Theory of the origins of Balts. According to Gimbutas, a few cultural systems participated in the formation of the Balts: the indoeuropeans and substrat culture, that is Indo-Europeanized people of Central Europe. The Indo-Europeans migrated from their homeland, located in the steppe zone north of the Black and Caspian seas, in three waves between 4400/4200 and 3000/2800 BC, ultimately reaching Europe and Indo-Europeanizing it.
Authors:Nataliia Mykhailova Pages: 19 - 33 Abstract: Mariupol Neolithic burial site, unique by its exclusive rich and diversiform inventory, was excavated by Ukrainian archaeologist and art critic Mykola Makarenko in 1930. The author of the excavations was executed by Soviet punitive authorities. The top-level and highly informative publication of the materials on the cemetery, made in 1933, was confiscated. Part of the burial inventory was taken to Russia. Anthropological materials were destroyed during World War II. The tragedy of Mariupol Cemetery continued in 2022. This was the year which became the tragedy in the history of Ukraine and inherently influenced the history of Europe. The Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian nature, and the Ukrainian culture suffered irretrievable losses. So did Ukrainian archaeology. Hundreds of archaeological sites in the war zone, in the zone of occupation and in the annexed territories were completely destroyed or irreparably damaged. Among them, there were the scant surviving artifacts from Mariupol Cemetery. This article is devoted to the history of excavations of Mariupol Burial Complex and the tragic fate of the collection of artifacts. Keywords:Articles
;
Old Iron Age – Middle Iron Age Cemetery in Vilkija, According to the Data of the Archaeological Research Conducted in 2016 and 2023
Authors:Justinas Račas, Liudvikas Vasiliauskas, Zenonas Baubonis Pages: 34 - 48 Abstract: An article is discussed Old – Middle Iron Age burial ground in Vilkija (Kaunas district), excavated in 2016 and 2023. Objective was to gather fragmented information and finds from this period from museums and other sources. As well there were made radioactive carbon (14C) analysis of burials and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of finds. Keywords:Articles
;
Search for Genocide Crimes and Evidence in and Around the Territories of the Former NKVD (MGB) Headquarters in Lazdijai and Leipalingis
Authors:Ingrida Čičiurkaitė, Linas Kvizikevičius Pages: 49 - 83 Abstract: The main idea of this work is to summarize the data from two independent studies carried out in Lazdijai and Leipalingis in 2021–2023, to share the experience and the features of the research methodology in the search for the remains of the Lithuanian partisans – the clues of the violent crimes that were committed 75–80 years ago. The aim of the article is to identify the pattern of concealment evidence and crimes committed with impunity and systematically by the NKVD troops and their henchmen – the Soviet collaborators. Two tasks are formulated to achieve this goal: firstly, to reveal the theoretical principles of the methodology of the search for evidences applied during the forensic archaeology research in the period 2021–2023 in the search for the remains of the partisans of the Southern region of Lithuania, killed in the period 1945–1952 and possibly hidden in the courtyards of the NKVD headquarters in Lazdijai and Leipalingis and their surroundings, and secondly to summarize the methodology and the results achieved during the field work. Keywords:Articles
;
Exhumations of Polish Soldiers in Lithuania: History and Methods of Research
Authors:Jovita Kadikinaitė Pages: 84 - 97 Abstract: The article describes the search for the remains of Polish soldiers in Lithuania from 1992 to the present day, and presents how such research has evolved, and what archaeological research methodology is used. The involvement of specialists from different institutions and disciplines in such searches is discussed. Although the article deals with the search for the remains of all Polish soldiers who died in the course of the 20th century conflicts in general, it is notable that the most numerous part of them is made up of the soldiers of Armia Krajowa. The main data available for such searches is the testimonies of live witnesses, supplemented and refined by archaeological and anthropological research. The methodology of such research is still being shaped on a case-by-case basis, so it is important to review and familiarise oneself with researches that has been carried out and cases of (un)successes, as this may help to plan further, more productive research and searches for individuals from this period in the future. Keywords:Articles
;
Medicine Bottles (1919–1939) found at 15A Užupio Street, Vilnius: Results of the Research and Interpretation of their Contents
Authors:Vismantas Muralis, Viktorija Šimkutė, Vida Vičkačkaitė, Atas Žvirblys Pages: 98 - 114 Abstract: Archaeological investigation was carried out in the first half of 2022 on the site Užupio g. 15A, which falls within the territory of the Vilnius St. Bartholomew’s Church building complex. During the research it was expected to find cultural layer horizons associated with the church and the cemetery next to it. Although archaeological finds and disturbed graves were discovered during the excavation, the most intriguing finds were collected in recessed structures dating from the first half of the XX century. As many as 69 bottles and vials were collected, most of which were used to store medicines. Four individual fragments with inscriptions were also found. Among the finds above, three bottles were found with preserved contents inside. This article, which is an interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, historians, and chemists, analyses the archaeological and historical context of the mentioned finds, the places of manufacture of the discovered medicine bottles, the results of analyses of the contents found in the bottles, and interpretations of the possible uses of the recovered medicinal substances. Keywords:Articles
;
Chronicle of scientific life 2023
Authors:Violeta Vasiliauskienė Pages: 124 - 131 Abstract: - Keywords:The Cronicle of Scientific Life
;
Department of Archaeology 2023
Authors:Violeta Vasiliauskienė Pages: 132 - 137 Abstract: - Keywords:The Cronicle of Scientific Life
;
Open Access journal
