Bėlaičio, Bėlio ir Sėtikio ežerų mikroregiono tyrimai

Abstract

In 2022, an archaeological survey was conducted in the area surrounding Lakes Bėlaitis, Bėlys and Sėtikis and the submerged shore of the island in Bėlys Lake (eastern Lithuania, Švenčionys district) in search of new archaeo- logical sites. the archaeological survey comprised 11 test pits (17.25 m2 in total), a survey of an 11.6 ha area, and 103 shovel test pits (Fig. 1). test pit 1 (1 x 4 m) on the Bėlys Lake island (Fig. 2) revealed a 40-cm-thick prehistoric settlement layer with features: a hearth and a charred log assembly. typological analysis of the charcoal in the hearth and the associated deposits identified the following tree species: linden, pine, alder, birch, hazel, and willow or aspen. the logs used for the assembly were pine, which indicates that pine was preferred for construction. Brushed pottery sherds typical of the Late Bronze Age were densely scattered in the archaeological layer (Fig. 3). Some sherds are characterised by their exceptionally massive, coarse rectangular inclusions. the deposit also contained charred grains, single fish bones, hazelnut shells, and animal bones or small fragments thereof. Archaeobotanical analysis of the charred material identified camelina sativa, common barley, common millet, common wheat, emmer wheat, and spelt grains and plant remains. Small fish bones, scattered fish scales, and hazelnut shells were also present in the sample. Zooarchaeological analysis of animal bones revealed a diet consisting of both domesticated (cattle, sheep or goat, and horse) and wild animals (boar, fallow deer, beaver, and fish). test pit 2 (3 x 1 m, Fig. 4), excavated on the submerged shore of the island, yielded 22 piles implanted in the lakebed. A total of 129 piles were recorded in the surrounding area during the survey of the island (Fig. 5). the evidence suggests that a fortified Bronze Age settlement was established on the island, encircled by a palisade; some piles may have served a fishing-related function. AMS 14c dates obtained from five samples place the broadest range of the settlement occupation period at 794–541 Bc. the results of this archaeological research are important for the study of the anthropogenic contexts of the lakes in Ne Lithuania along a possible communication route between the Nemunas and daugava River basins. Furthermore, the results provide more detailed data on Bronze Age lake settlements.