This study presents the first examination of an Egyptian mummified crocodile from the collection of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Preserve (Ukraine). Archival research established that the specimen was donated to the Archaeological Museum at St. Volodymyr’s University in 1860 by Dr. Joseph Shkuratovsky who likely obtained it in Upper Egypt in the mid-19th century. The mummy had never been studied by Egyptologists, bio-archaeologists, or zoologists. Radiocarbon dating and chemical analysis of embalming substances were conducted using standard protocols. The radiocarbon results suggest a Ptolemaic Period origin (332–30 BC), although possible reservoir effects may have influenced the date. Beyond presenting this unique find to a wider audience, a key objective was to explore possible morphological criteria for distinguishing the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) from the West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus), both sympatric species present in ancient Egypt. Drawing on Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire’s early observations and subsequent morphometric data, the structure of the external mandibular fenestra in this specimen was examined and compared to other examples, both modern and archaeological. The fenestra of the examined specimen exhibits features more typical of C. suchus. However, it is of importance to note that crocodile mummies cannot be assumed to represent C. suchus without a robust series of genetically confirmed specimens. Thus, the present observations are preliminary and should be regarded as a working hypothesis to be tested against other larger, well-documented datasets and utilizing DNA analyses. Morphological examination also revealed evidence that the crocodile was intentionally killed – likely by a single, precise stab wound to the neck – and that the injury was carefully concealed, suggesting a broader and more deliberate practice of sacrificial killing than previously recognized. This study contributes new archaeological, historical, and morphological data to the growing body of research on animal mummification in ancient Egypt, while underscoring the need for further work on species identification criteria.

When the German Town (a settlement of Catholic merchants and craftsmen) began to emerge in the western part of the present Old Town of Vilnius in the last decades of the 14th century, the Catholic community relocated to this area. St Nicholas Church was built here before 1387 and it was the first Catholic church in the Old Town, around which the German City was established. However, in addition to this house of worship, there was another in the Catholic part of the city – the Franciscan Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Maria and a monastery.This monastery is considered to be the oldest one in Vilnius, however, the exact time of its construction, as well as that of the church, has not been determined. Due to the lack of historical sources and precise dates, the construction has been dated by different researchers from the first half of the 14th century to the beginning of the 15th century, i.e., with an error of 100 years. Archaeological investigations in the vicinity of the church and the monastery, which have been carried out since 1993, have provided some new hypotheses concerning the chronology and the earliest nature of human activity in this territory. The most recent excavations took place here in 2023, providing new insights into the development of the area through the discovery of objects and interdisciplinary research (radiocarbon dating, analysis of archaeobotanical remains, architectural research). This paper discusses the chronology and nature of the earliest development of the Franciscan church and monastery area, based on the available historical sources, archaeological and architectural research, including the results of most recent investigations.

In 1989 Daiva Misiukaitė (Daiva Luchtanienė) conducted exploratory archaeological research in the Vilnius Kalnų (Hill) park – teritory in which, it is believed, one of the main medieval castles of Vilnius – the Crooked Castle was located. Graves were discovered in three places: in the northwestern part of the Dainų Valley, near the current parking lot, on the The Hill of Gediminas’ Grave and in the southern part of Altana hill. In the latter place, archaeological research was carried out again in 2021. In the first two burial sites, no finds allowing dating of the graves were found - the chronology remained unclear. In the third place, finds were found in only three graves - the graves were tentatively dated to the 17th century and associated with the events of the 1655-1661 when Vilnius was occupied for the first time by Russian army. In 1989 anthropological examination of the discovered graves was not carried out, but all osteological material was kept at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University until now. It was decided to conduct these studies in 2021. 14C dating of samples taken from 14 graves was also carried out. The purpose of this article is to clarify the chronology of graves by using statistical modeling, to assess the general archaeological and historical context, to publish the results of anthropological research and laboratory dating.

The article presents the collection of skulls, which was previously believed to be lost, amassed by the renowned Lithuanian physician, anatomist, and anthropologist Jurgis Žilinskas (1885-1957) between the two World Wars. The latter currently comprises 361 skulls, representing 30.4% of the former anthropological collection. The most significant discovery within this collection is the presence of three dated skulls from the Early Mesolithic period. The article presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological information on the surviving portion of J. Žilinskas’ anthropological collection, a catalog of registered skulls, and the most recent AMS 14C dates. It also includes theoretical considerations regarding the fate of the missing skulls, suggestions for further research on some important archaeological objects, and potential avenues for further research.

The article discusses the changing trends in archaeological heritage conservation – from expertise-based heritage protection to the ‘democratisation of heritage’. This process is well represented by the Amersfoort Agenda, adopted by The Europae Archaeologiae Consilium (EAC) in 2014, which seeks to integrate the principles of the Faro Convention into the practice of archaeological heritage protection developed by the Valletta Convention. More generalised heritage conservation processes and changes in public administration policies that promote participatory (interactive) governance also contribute to a stronger role for society in decision-making. It is in this aspect – the relationship between archaeology and society – that the paper presents the contemporary trends in archaeological heritage conservation, as well as insights into the local communities’ attitudes towards archaeological heritage in Lithuania.

We represent the results of archaeological works by using the drilling method. Such works were carried out in the Medzhybizh and Bar castles, as well as in Palaeolithic field explorations. Our drilling research in castles focused on the inspection of courtyards and fortification of castles. Drilling made it possible to see the thickness of cultural layers up to 8 meters of thick. Based on the obtained data, reconstructions of the daytime surface of castle courtyards and the sequence of changes in their relief were carried out. Drilling during the search for Palaeolithic sites was carried out on turfed areas and different soil types. The high efficiency of exploratory drilling operations has been determined. The equipment was adapted, and the optimal drilling technique worked out during archaeological explorations.

We present the results of recent geophysical and archaeological investigations conducted in Medzhybizh castle located in the Western Ukraine. Architectural and restoration studies that lasted more than 50 years revealed a part of the castle built during the Lithuanian period, in the 14th-15th centuries. Our study is focused on ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys on the courtyards of the castle including the Lithuanian part, and inside the buildings. The GPR survey was capable of seeing elements of the ancient architecture under a horizon of debris and soil up to 3 m thick. Possible structures of Lithuanian castle were suggested and confirmed by recent archaeological excavations. These are fragments of the Western Wall, stone construction stretching along the façade of the Southern Building, fundament ditch of the inner wall in the Southern Building.

This study presents data reflecting the urban development of Merkinė in the 16th–18th centuries. The old names of the city streets and the development of the street structure are analyzed. After the analysis of historical sources, the approximate location of the lost masonry and other town buildings is presented, as well as the data of residential and public town buildings and the manor house. In the 16th–18th centuries, wooden buildings dominated in the town, but sources testify that, especially before the mid-17th century war, brick residential buildings were also built in the main town streets. Along with the town hall, the parish church dominated in the structure of the town, as well as the churches and monasteries of the Jesuit residence and the Dominican convent, and on the top of the town a wooden St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church stood, which was to be prominently seen in the town’s skyline.

The article discusses the Swedish 3 pounds regimental cannon, produced in 1786.X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chemical element analysis data from cannon barrel alloys are also presented and discussed. As well as influence of their composition on the operation of cannons.

Studies aimed at considering the impact of industrialisation, urbanisation and modernisation on human health in 19th-century society are becoming increasingly relevant. Although it is exceptionally rare to encounter human skeletal material from the 19th century in present-day Lithuania, this study explores whether changes which occurred in that century had any impact on human health. This research presents the preliminary results of an anthropological analysis of the human remains discovered in Panevėžys Cemetery, with material spanning the 18th–19th centuries. In total, 90 individuals were examined, including 57 males, 15 females and 18 nonadult individuals. Fractures and nonspecific inflammatory lesions were the most prevalent pathological changes. However, the values of the average height of males and females did not reveal a significant change in stature. Overall, the results demonstrated inconsistent evidence of the effects of urbanisation on the skeletal population. It can be concluded that both the sample size and the observed pathologies represent only part of the community. Therefore, a more representative sample and additional analyses are required in the future, to provide comprehensive results and more solid conclusions.