Abstract
Two chance discoveries during development-led archaeology in Vilnius have brought the recent history of the Lithuanian Republic to the forefront. The burials of 20 individuals involved in the uprising against the Russian Empire in 1863–1864 were found on Gedimas Hill in 2017, and in 2018 the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, a leader of the guerrilla warfare against the Soviet Union in 1944–1953 were found. These discoveries brought great public interest, and advanced knowledge of archaeology. Notably they also encouraged senior politicians from Poland, Belarus and Lithuania to enter into debates on matters that have historically been difficult to discuss.
Highlights
The uprising against the Russian Empire in 1863–1864 and the guerrilla warfare against the Soviet Union in 1944–1953 are probably the most outstanding episodes within the narrative of the Lithuanian 19th–20th century resistance and struggle for freedom
It was known that 21 participants in the uprising against the Russian Empire had been executed at Lukiškės Square in Vilnius in 1863–1864
Reburial of the participants of the Uprising of 1863–1864 at the Vilnius Rasos Cemetery turned into an event of national importance for all three states that emerged on the territory of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: the ceremony, held in 2019, was attended by the President of Lithuania and by the President of Poland and Deputy Premier of Belarus. Ordinary citizens of these countries arrived to pay their respects to the participants of the Uprising in huge numbers and their coffins were jointly carried by Lithuanian and Polish militaries
Summary
Two chance discoveries during development-led archaeology in Vilnius have brought the recent history of the Lithuanian Republic to the forefront. The burials of 20 individuals involved in the uprising against the Russian Empire in 1863–1864 were found on Gedimas Hill in 2017, and in 2018 the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, a leader of the guerrilla warfare against the Soviet Union in 1944–1953 were found These discoveries brought great public interest, and advanced knowledge of archaeology. They encouraged senior politicians from Poland, Belarus and Lithuania to enter into debates on matters that have historically been difficult to discuss
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