Vilniaus Aukštutinės pilies šlaitų tyrimai 2017–2018 metais

LTVilniaus piliavietė (UK 141), vadinama Aukštutine pilimi, Pilies kalnu, Gedimino kalnu, yra kompleksinio NKVR įrašyto paminklo-Vilniaus piliakalnio su papiliais dalis (UK 664). Vietovė yra Vilniaus senamiesčio (UK 16073), Vilniaus senojo miesto su priemiesčiais (UK 25504), Vilniaus pilių su įtvirtinimais, pastatais ir jų liekanomis teritorijoje (UK 1791). Piliavietė patenka į Vilniaus pilių valstybinio rezervato teritoriją. 2016–2017 m. Vilniaus Aukštutinės pilies kalno šlaitus niokojo stipri erozija. Slinktys ar mažiau pastebimas grunto judėjimas paveikė beveik visus šlaitus. Vykdant šlaitų stabilizavimo darbus 2017–2018 m. kartu ar prieš tai buvo atliekami archeologiniai tyrimai. Patogumo dėlei tvarkyti ir tyrinėti kalno šlaitai suskirstyti į atskiras zonas, kurių tyrimų rezultatai aptariami atskirai. ŠV šlaitą nuošliaužos paveikė pirmiausia ir bene stipriausiai. Tyrimų metu dar kartą ar naujai atidengtos kalno šlaite buvusios archeologinės, architektūrinės struktūros ar jų fragmentai: XX a. grindinys bei šulinys, XVI a. vidurio atraminės sienos ir su ja besijungiančios XVII a. (?) skersinės sienos fragmentai, XVII a. (?) kapai, XX a. II Pasaulinio karo metu nacių įrengto tunelio anga bei griuvusių XV a. (?) mūrų liekanos šlaito viršuje. Taip pat nuo tirto ploto viršaus iki apačios užfiksuota viršutinių šlaite besiklosčiusių sluoksnių stratigrafija. [...]. [Iš teksto, p. 171-172]

ENIn 2016–2017, the slopes of the hill of Vilnius Upper Castle were damaged by landslides. A field survey and evaluation were conducted prior to the performance of the slope stabilisation work in 2017–2018 or together with it. On the NW slope, a survey was conducted in a 1925 m2 area and an evaluation in a 30 m2 area at the base of the slope at the site of a concentration of human burials near the retaining wall and in a 13 m2 area at the top of the slope at the site of unearthed masonry walls. Archaeological and architectural structures or fragments of them were unearthed on the hill’s slope again or for the first time during the investigation: 20th-century paving and a well, fragments of a mid 16th century retaining wall and a 17th century (?) transverse wall connecting to it, nine burials from the second half of the 17th century (?), and a 20th century tunnel entrance built by the Germans during the Second World War and the remains of a 15th century (?) rubble wall at the top of the slope. The masonry walls are characteristic of the period of Vytautas and could be connected with the 1419 (or somewhat later) construction of the N tower. The wall’s collapse occurred no later than the 17th century. In laying an irrigation system at the foot of the N slope, a watching brief was conducted down to a depth of 70 cm in trenches, which were 147 m and 7 m long and up to 50 cm wide, and an evaluation was carried out using two test pits (a total of 6.4 m2). Test Pit 1 and the bottom of a trench, which was dug near it later, revealed paving, which was 3 m wide and has a drainage gutter, all laid using various-sized large cobbles and boulders. Near its W edge nestled a masonry wall, only a small part of which (the top of an arch) was unearthed in the trench. The wall’s location would almost ideally fit the S building of the Arsenal depicted in the 1737 plan by von Fürstenhoff.Further to the E edge, the remains of stakes from a rotten wooden fence were discovered in disturbed mixed dark earth in part of the trench and Test Pit 2; dumped human bones were found alongside the fence’s N side. The anthropological tests determined that part of at least 13 human skeletons belonging to young males had been tossed into one pile at this location. Such data allow one to think that the dead could be connected with other 17th century (?) burials found on the hill’s slopes and in its vicinity, and that their relocation is probably related to the intense work managing the hill in the early 20th century. On the E slope, surveys were conducted in 616 m2 at two landslide sites. In 2017, only topsoil, slipped layers, and, perhaps in places, surface depressions deliberately filled with dark earth were recorded in areas of this slope being put in order below a path. No archaeological structures were discovered. On part of the SE slope, field surveys and evaluations were conducted in 1842 m2. The remains of a stone wall built at an angle was discovered in its NE corner. Judging by the remains of cement mortar found on its surface, the wall was known and repaired in the 20th century. Based on the conclusions of Architect R. Zilinskas, it is thought that this wall is one of the earliest examples of masonry wall construction on the hill and should perhaps be connected with a half-timbered structure. On the S slope, two test pits (6x2 m, totalling 24 m2) were excavated in a depression that had formed long ago on the slope. Stones, which were the remains of steps leading to the top of the hill, were discovered in one. These steps are connected with the management of the hill’s slopes in the late 19th early 20th century and the adaptation of the hill for public use.Below the steps in the same test pit was a heterogeneous rubble layer, which was over 2.5 m thick and had formed in connection with the late 18th early 19th century destruction of the S tower of the masonry castle that had stood on the hilltop. To the W of the depression, 1164 m2 were surveyed on the SW slope. No archaeological structures were discovered at this location. A watching brief was conducted while 270 m2 were put in order on the SW slope. In the layer of topsoil in the slipped surface, a disturbed human skeleton, which had moved together with the landslide, was discovered. From the position of the surviving bones, it is possible to think that the individual had been buried with flexed legs. The clothing elements found in the slipped soil in the vicinity of the skeleton allow this burial to be connected with the Second World War. Two test pits (a total of 13 m2) were excavated at the base of the W slope. The disturbed burial discovered in Test Pit 9 can probably be connected with the group of burials on the NW slope.All of the soil removed from the slope was screened and checked with a metal detector and magnets. In this way, in addition to abundant contemporary construction, household, and other rubbish, archaeological finds reflecting various periods (beginning with the 5th century) were collected: architectural elements, household items, tools, ammunition, coins, clothing elements, identification objects, etc. [From the publication]