Vilkiautinis: Archaeological Traces in the Surrounding Area
Accommodation in Vilkiautinis
The surrounding area of Vilkiautinis contains archaeological traces that can be dated across several centuries. Hillfort burial grounds and a prehistoric settlement date from the 5th to the 12th century; the old settlement is also placed in the second half of the first millennium. This gives a trip to Vilkiautinis a tangible connection to cultural history: settlement traces, burials and grave goods are the central themes.
Periods in the Surrounding Area
The two date ranges emphasize different aspects. The dating from the 5th to the 12th century covers hillfort burial grounds and the prehistoric settlement in the area; the old settlement is dated to the second half of the first millennium. A broad time frame and a narrower dating therefore sit side by side. The settlement and burial grounds lead to two different aspects of archaeology: traces of a settlement site and burials with their grave goods. Those interested in early settlement and burial history will find more than a single date as a way into the subject.
Burials and Grave Goods
The second burial mound field was discovered in 1996. The dead were buried there after cremation. Grave goods included spearheads, axes and a shield boss; fragments of equipment for riders and horses, as well as pottery fragments, were also found. The dead in the first burial mound field were also buried after cremation. Its grave goods included spearheads and combat knives, brooches and rings, as well as fragments of equipment for riders and horses.
By comparison, spearheads and parts of the equipment for riders and horses are present in both groups of finds. Axes, shield bosses and pottery distinguish the grave goods from the second field; those from the first include combat knives, brooches and rings. Cremation burials link the two burial mound fields, while the different objects offer distinct insights into burial practices. This comparison makes the archaeological finds more concrete without conflating the two burial grounds into a single site.
The Shape of Vilkiautinio pilkapynas
The Vilkiautinio pilkapynas burial mound field was elongated: it measured 40 to 100 meters in length, 4 meters in width and 0.6 meters in height. The length is given as a range; the width and height are the respective individual measurements. Together, the figures describe a long, narrow shape. This description of its form adds another perspective on the archaeological traces around Vilkiautinis, alongside their dating and the grave goods.
Sites and Collections
Finds from the hillfort burial grounds and the prehistoric settlement of Vilkiautinis are held at the Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus and the Warsaw Archaeological Museum. The archaeological subject therefore includes both sites in the surrounding area and objects in the two museums. These aspects can be distinguished when exploring the history: the settlement and burial grounds are the focus here, while the finds preserved in the museums are the focus there. Together, they connect the archaeological sites with specific objects from different sets of grave goods.
Archaeology as a Travel Interest
The archaeological focus offers several concrete points of interest to help you decide on your trip: the dating, the shape of a burial ground and the differences between the grave goods. If you are interested in early settlement history and burial practices, the area around Vilkiautinis may therefore be a suitable cultural-history theme for your trip. When looking for a holiday apartment in Vilkiautinis, this focus is above all a criterion for choosing the destination: it suits a trip where you would like to explore settlement traces and burials.
Discover more destinations: Genionys, Viršurodukis, Pamusiai, Marcinkonių seniūnija, Merkinė, Kibyšiai, Roduka
For the regional travel overview: Varėna District Municipality.
