The 14th-17th c. Alytus burial ground is located on the right bank of the Nemunas, on a high hill, about 500 m north of Alytus mound. The archeological research was carried out by the archaeologist of the Alytus Local Museum Eugenijus Svetikas in 1984-1986. The entire area of the 2998 m2 was excavated and 1152 graves were uncovered. The dead were buried in supine body position with head oriented to various directions. The majority of graves were found without grave goods. Alytus burial ground is considered to be one of the largest, well-preserved and most representative burial grounds of the 14th – 17th c. Lithuania.
The overall preservation level of the remains is good, bones are minimally affected by erosion, and the skeletons are complete:
|
Preservation |
n |
% |
|
Complete skeleton (>50 %) |
470 |
47% |
|
Partially preserved skeleton (~50 %) |
365 |
37% |
|
Fragmentary skeleton (<50 %) |
156 |
16% |
A total of 991 skeletons are stored: 328 non-adult individuals and 665 adults (Figure 1). Male and probable male accounted for 34%, female and probable female for 32%. Non-adults, under the age of 18, make up 33% of all burials.
