Военная археология в Литве: новейшие исследования

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Archeologija; Archeologiniai radiniai; Bunkeriai; Istoriografija; Karai; Kariniai kapai; Karo archeologija; Lietuvos istorija; Mūšio vietos; Palaidojimai; PartizanaI; Archaeological finds; Archaeology; Battlefields; Bunkers of partisans; Burials; Historiography; Lithuania; Mass burials of soldiers; Military archeology; The Lithuanian history; Wars.

ENMilitary archaeology researches military conflicts of the past based on the material culture traces found in the soil or under water. Its objects can be divided into 4 main groups: battlefields, bunkers, fortifications, and burials. In Lithuania, military archaeology covers the period spanning from the Middle Ages (the 13th century) till the beginning of the Soviet Occupation Period (1950s). As for the Middle Ages, military archaeology methods were applied when searching for the locations of the Battle of Saule (1236) and Pabaiskas (1435). The research of the battlefields of the 20th century is represented by the investigation of the area of the Vilnius (Belmont, Sapieginė) battle, which took place in summer 1944. Locations of the bunkers of the Lithuanian postwar partisans who waged guerrilla warfare against the Soviets in 1944-1953 have been researched more intensively. Methodological framework for such research was established by the year 2010 excavations of the Daugėliškiai bunker (Raseiniai District, Western Lithuania) destroyed in 1950. As for 2018, locations of about 10 bunkers have been researched (most of the excavations have been helmed by G. Vėlius and G. Petrauskas). Fortifications (hillforts) have been researched since the early 20th century, but the relevant military archaeology aspects have often been overlooked. Fortifications of the modern and recent times, namely the 16th - 20th century, which have the most explicitly defensive character, are scarce in Lithuania and their research is only taking the first steps.As for the investigation of the mass burials of soldiers, the burial of the Napoleon's Great Army soldiers who died in Vilnius in winter 1812 located in the northern part of the city should be mentioned. It was researched by A. Kuncevičius in 2002-2003. Remains of about 3 thousand individuals were unearthed. Since 2015, systematic and methodical research of the burials of WWII (1941-1944) German soldiers related to their transfer to graveyards has begun. Research of the burials of the prisoners of war in Kaunas and Armalėnai (Western Lithuania, near Šilutė) has also been initiated recently. Although rather modest so far, military archaeology findings in Lithuania add new important and otherwise inaccessible details to the history of military conflicts of this region. [From the publication]

• Archeologija / Archaeology
• Istorija / History