Šv. Stepono bažnyčia

LTAnksčiau archeologiniai tyrinėjimai Šv. Stepono bažnyčios pastato viduje nebuvo vykdyti. Didesnės ar mažesnės apimties tyrinėjimai vyko tik bažnyčios šventoriuje, jų metu aptikta XVII a. datuojamų kapų, perkasimų, suardyto kultūrinio sluoksnio horizontų. Bažnyčios pastato viduje ištirtas apie 274 m2 plotas. Tyrimų tikslas buvo nustatyti buvusių bažnyčios pastato grindų lygį bei atlikti žvalgomojo pobūdžio tyrinėjimus apie 20 m2 plote [p. 274].

ENAbout 274 m2 were excavated inside the Church of St Stephen in 2009. The goal was to determine the level of the building’s former floor and to conduct a field evaluation in an area of about 20 m2. During the excavation two former floor levels: ceramic tile and brick were discovered. The brick floor should perhaps be connected with the 1715 repair of the building and the ceramic tile floor with building reconstructions carried out in the 18th century or later. During the excavation 24 undisturbed human remains were discovered. All of the deceased had been buried supine in coffins, hands placed at the waist, usually with the head towards the W. The individuals were of various ages and both sexes: 9 children, 5 infants, 4 women, and 5 men. The men and women were about 40 years of age while the majority of the children were under a year or 1–2 years of age. During the excavation the third basement dating to the first stage of the church’s construction (early 17th century) was unearthed. At least four wooden coffins were discovered in it. Finds dating to the 16th–20th centuries were discovered during the work.