Spėjama laidojimo vieta Alytaus šile

LT2012 m. birželio 30-liepos 6 d. LNM spėjamoje laidojimo vietoje-degintinių kaulų radimvietėje-surengė archeologinę ekspediciją. Tyrimų metu ištirtas vienas 5x5 m dydžio plotas (iš viso-25 m2), metalo ieškikliu žvalgyta artimiausia jo aplinka. Vykdytų tyrimų tikslas-ištirti 2011 m. aptiktų degintinių kaulų radimvietę. Siekta nustatyti spėjamo laidojimo paminklo tipą (plokštinis degintinis kapinynas ar suardytas pilkapis) ir chronologiją; aptikus archeologinį paminklą ar archeologinę vertę turinčių radinių, siūlyti šią vietą įtraukti į NKVR. Aptikti radiniai perduoti saugoti LNM. Apibendrinant galima teigti, jog tirtame plote aptiktas vienas suardytas degintinis kapas, kuriame buvo palaidotas mažiausiai vienas vyresnis nei 20 m. amžiaus sudegintas mirusysis. Įkapių, leidžiančių datuoti degintinį kapą, neaptikta. Archeologinių tyrimų metu surinktų duomenų nepakanka spėjamo laidojimo paminklo tipui (suardytas pilkapis ar plokštinis degintinis kapinynas) ir chronologijai įvardyti. [...] [p. 164, 169].

ENIn 2012, an investigation was conducted at a suspected burial site, a cremated bone find spot discovered in Alytus pine forest (Alytus district, Alovė eldership) in 2011. Area 1 (5x5 m, 25 m2) was excavated and a metal detector survey conduct in its immediate vicinity. The investigation’s goal was to study the find spot and determine the type (flat cremation cemetery or destroyed barrow cemetery) and chronology of the suspected burial site. Destroyed burial 1, a cremation, was discovered in area 1 and 315.2 g of cremated human bones were collected (mostly in the central part of the area). The cremated bones of at least one individual over 20 years of age were identified. No grave goods allowing the burial to be dated were discovered. It is conjectured that pit 1 (only the bottom part of which has survived) should be considered the pit of burial 1, a cremation. 210.5 g of cremated and 75.9 g uncremated animal bones were also found in the central part of area 1. They are large and poorly burnt. The bone concentration was also involved in the burial. A slightly curved, 1–1.2 m wide, 10–50 cm thick band of blackish charcoally sand was unearthed in the N part of area 1. But its purpose and possible relationship with the cremation (barrow ditch, base?) remains unclear.Hand built and 16th–17th century hand thrown pottery sherds, a whetstone (?) flake, a 1939 USSR 3 kopeck coin and a 1940 Virbalis customs seal for imported goods (and another sherd of hand thrown pottery and a flint flake) were discovered during the excavation. Pellets from First and Second World War shrapnel shells, artillery shell splinters, German carbine cartridges and cartridge casings, and a bullet from undetermined weapon were found in the excavated area and in its vicinity. A line of First World War trenches located to the N of the excavated area and the discovered finds attest that active military actions took place in Alytus pine forest. The data collected during the investigation was insufficient to identify the suspected burial site’s type (destroyed barrow or flat cremation cemetery) and chronology. It is worthwhile continuing the investigation to the N–NW and E of the excavated area.