Research on Viešvilė’s burial groun: conservation of a unique encased spear-ended inlaid sheath and feathers in the form of laurel leaves

Autor: Budvydas, Ugnius, Mečkovskienė, Renta, Jankūnienė, Milda
Jazyk: litevština
Rok vydání: 2008
Předmět:
Zdroj: Lietuvos dailės muziejaus metraštis [LDM metraštis]. 2008, t. 11, p. 233-241.
ISSN: 1648-6706
Popis: Trakai’s History Museum has for several years been conducting research on one of the most interesting archeological sites of recent times - the burial ground of Viešvilė in Jurbarkas Region. Nowadays, it is the third known existent burial site of the Skalviai ethno cultural group that dates back to the 9th-12th century. The first time that the necropolis was mentioned was in a local Klaipėda regional newspaper, Memeler Dampfboot, in 1930 (Schwarzien, 1930). After the Second World War, news was rather fragmented, but it was, nonetheless, possible to find information in Lithuanian archaeological literature (LAB, p. 555; R. Volkaitė- Kulikauskienė, 1970, p. 290; O. Kuncienė, 1972. p. 254, et ai). Most often mentioned were single findings held at Vytautas the Great’s War Museum in Kaunas. In 1972, Viešvilė burial ground was included on the List of Cultural and Historical Sites in the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, receiving the status of “significance to the Republic” (AR273) while its suppositional territory was declared. Currently, Viešvilė’s burial ground has already been researched for five years (though, with breaks). During that time, 560 m2 of area territory have been examined and 18 burnt and ruined graves, which date back to the 10th—11th centuries, have been discovered. It has become clear that the archaeological site was disturbed as a result of intensive agricultural activities. Nevertheless, such activities have not diminished its value: the burial ground is indeed unique. From a general context, the burial site may considered unique because graves found at the very hilltop are those for people who held a higher status in the community; these graves differ from others as a result of the wealth found in these graves. One such grave is burnt grave No. 1, discovered in 2001. Osteological research on burnt bones, indicate that both woman and man were buried in that grave (research conducted by Dr R. Jankauskas). The dead were buried with objects characteristic of the late Iron Age. More than a total of 100 finds have been discovered. This is one of the richest graves discovered in Viešvilė burial ground. Judging from the multitude and structure of the contents found in the grave, it is possible to state without a doubt that the man buried in grave No. 1 was a member of military elite. This may be indirectly inferred from the fact that a spear was discovered with feathers in the shape of laurel leaves as well as an inlaid sheath in the grave. These contents are quite unusual - currently, it is the second known spear with an inlaid sheath in Lithuania. The uniqueness of sheathed spear-end with its laurel leaf in the shape of feather was understood when restoration efforts were conducted on the object. The object was placed on the beginning of the spear-end’s shaft and with silver or copper alloy inlays. These inlays were not observable before conservation measures were taken because the inlays were hidden by a thick layer of corrosion. This spear-end, which dates back to the 9th-11th centuries, truly adds something of great value to the collection of Trakai’s Archaeological Museum.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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