Kapinės Vilniuje, Algirdo g. 48C

LT2021 m. liepos–gruodžio mėnesiais vykdyti detalieji tyrimai Vilniuje, sklype Algirdo g. 48c, kur numatoma statyti naujus pastatus. Sklypas R dalyje ribojasi su Šv. Stepono bažnyčios teritorija ir joje esančiomis kapinėmis. 2005 m. Algirdo g. 48 sklype atlikti žvalgomieji tyrimai (R. Žukovskis), kurių metu ištirti 4 šurfai, iš viso 15,3 m2 dydžio plotas. Fiksuoti 60–200 cm storio kultūriniai sluoksniai, daugiausia piltinės kilmės, su XVII–XX a. radiniais bei pavieniais žmonių kaulais iš suardytų palaidojimų. Virš įžemio fiksuoti iki 10–12 cm storio kultūrinio sluoksnio horizontai su negausiais XVII a. būdingais radiniais – pirminio žemės paviršiaus pėdsakai. Šurfuose 1–3 aptikti žmonių kaulai buvo ne mažiau kaip 6 suaugusių asmenų, nesuardytų palaidojimų šurfuose nerasta. [...] [p. 118].

ENIn 2021, an excavation was conducted down to the depth of the burials in 1053.4 m2 of the total 2100.4 m2 of the plot at Algirdo St. 48 c, Vilnius. Disturbed soil from burials was recorded at an average depth of Habs 144.80– 145.00 m and lay under both 19th–20th-century layers, which contained isolated 17th–18th-century finds and human bones, and a horizon of aeolian sand. 150 grave pits were excavated: 128 single burials, 9 joint burials (2–3 individuals in a single coffin), 6 mass burials (4–26 individuals), and 1 disturbed burial (no. 134 with a minimum of 15 individuals). 6 of the identified burials were not excavated at all due to safety reasons or the existence of a wall above the burial (nos. 88, 112–113, 116–117, 131) while mass burial 87 was only partially excavated due to safety reasons. In all, 232 undisturbed remains were excavated: 48 female, 146 male, 3 adolescent, 14 children, 5 infants, 1 newborn, and 15 individuals of indeterminant sex. The majority were over the age of 30, average female height was 155–165 cm, average male 160–170 cm. Various traumas and pathologies related to exertion and degenerative changes, long bone diaphyseal periostitis, osteoperiostitis, osteomyelitis, arthritic damage to various joint surfaces, some times with eburnation and ankylosing, benign tumours – osteomas, signs of anaemia in several eye sockets, 3 cases of syphilis with 'caries sicca' ulcers on the frontal bone, anatomical variations, various fractures, sometimes with signs of deformation, and a blunt force trauma of the frontal bone made by something with a small striking surface were identified. An autopsy cut was noted on the skull of a male interred on a board in a single burial.The condition of the teeth ranged from good to poor, with mostly advanced instances of caries along with several abscesses, one of which had developed into a large mandibular cyst through a lack of treatment, being noted. Frequent severe erosion of the dental surfaces by small or large calculus deposits, occasional enamel hypoplasia, and one diastema were found. Many of the individuals had lost teeth, mainly molars, prior to their death. Several instances of the loss of all the teeth were recorded. the craniometric and facial morphological feature analysis of one male skull showed it to have Asian features. Bronze and bone buttons, a Grande Armée 85th Line Infantry Regiment button, bronze rings, GDL and Kingdom of Poland John II Casimir 1666 shillings, a GDL Sigismund III Vasa 1627 shilling, a French Empire Napoleon I silver 5-franc coin, Russian Empire 1734 coins, a rosary, a St Ignatius of Loyola / St Francis Xavier medal with a silk and silvery thread tassel, catholic and orthodox crosses, a small medal with an angel leaning against an anchor, a thimble, and clothing and shoe fragments were discovered with the remains. The individuals had been interred chaotically without any consistent distance or orientation and frequently while disturbing earlier burials. The cemetery operated over a long period: the late 17th – early 19th centuries, based on the finds discovered in the burials: crosses, coins, rings, buttons, and clothing fragments. The investigation yielded 598 finds, including fragments of 17th–19th-century household and construction ceramics, 19th–20th-century bottles, and 17th–20th-century coins and seals.