По поводу классификации священных камней балтов

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Akmenys; Archeologija; Baltai; Baltarusia; Kaliningrado sritis; Klasifikacija; Krikščionybė; Latvija (Latvia); Lietuvos istorija; Simboliai; Šventieji akmenys; Archaeology; Balts; Christianity; Classification; Kaliningrad region; Latvia; Lithuania; Sacred Stones; Stones; Symbols; The Lithuanian history.

ENIn this article the diversity of the sacred stones of the lands of the Balts are presented and the possibilities of their classification analysed. Data from Lithuania as well as Latvia, Prussia (Kaliningrad Region of Russia), and western Belarus is summarised in the article. The number of sacred stones in this region exceeds 1000. Each sacred stone, depending on the information possessed about it, has a defined quantity of various features. Each of these features (regardless of whether it describes the natural or artificial peculiarities of the stone or known mythical-religious facts about the stone) is considered a significant unit and can become a pretext for grouping stones having the same features. A group of monuments distinguished by some one feature (for example, a flat-bottomed bowl chiselled into the stone or the name "Witch"s stone") can be reasonably considered an object of scientific research. The diversity of sacred stones is incomparably larger than the number of groups into which they have betn divided until now; therefore the more sacred stones are separated on the basis of their significant features and the preconditions of this grouping are investigated, the greater the benefit to science. The second part of the article is devoted to a brief presentation of the sacred stones of the lands of the Baits and their significant features. Such features as the structure, form, and peculiarities (cavities, bowls, and "special indications") of the stones; the position of the stones in nature and in the cultural landscape; the legends and beliefs told about the stones; and the nature of the ceremonies performed around the stones will be reviewed. It is thus shown that the investigation of sacred stones, one of the principle kinds of cult monuments, provides important and multilevel scientific information, which is necessary in order to answer the specific questions raised by religion and mythology. [From the publication]