Tyrimai Veliuonos senamiestyje

LT2009 m. gegužės mėnesį Veliuonos piliakalnio, vadinamo Gedimino kapu (2053), bei Veliuonos piliakalnio II su papiliu (23902) aplinkoje, Veliuonos senamiestyje (13009) (Jurbarko r.) buvo atlikti archeologiniai tyrinėjimai. Tyrimus nulėmė numatomi esamo kelio rekonstrukcijos darbai. Buvo planuojama kelią, jungiantį Veliuonos miestelio centrą su Kauno–Jurbarko plentu, praplėsti, pakeisti dangą, įrengti lietaus vandens kanalizavimo sistemą, atlikti kitus rekonstrukcinius darbus [p. 389].

ENIn 2009, six test pits (each 4 m2) and a 37 x 2 m trench were excavated in the vicinity of the Veliuona hillfort site, which is also called the Gedimino kapas, and the Veliuona II hillfort and fortified settlement sites in Veliuona Old Town (Jurbarkas District). Over 4500 ceramic sherds, the majority of which are grey 17th–18th-century ceramics fired in reduction: fragments of pots, bowls, and pitchers, were collected in the cultural layer. Fragments of clay frying pan feet and candlesticks were also found. About 500 animal bones were collected. The cultural layers were accurately dated by the discovered panel stove tiles (Blattkacheln), of which close to 200 fragments were found. Some of the tiles were decorated with Moorish designs, which were characteristic of the late 16th – early 17th centuries. Several fragments of bichrome tiles as well as panel stove tiles with green glaze and cornice stove tiles (Gesimskacheln) with cherub designs characteristic of the 17th century were found. The discovered finds show a certain revival of economic activities in this part of Veliuona in the 17th century and the economic stagnation characteristic of this region’s towns in the late 17th–18th centuries. No objects dating to the period when the hillfort was occupied were discovered. Animal bones and nine fragments of 14th-century partly thrown ceramics with wavy designs were discovered just on top of gravelly sterile soil in the trenches in the N quarter. One sherd was decorated not only with a wavy design but also a small ridge with oblique scoring. The two crossbow bolt heads with square crosssection blades discovered in the sterile soil should be dated to the same period.