Preface

The yearly, 22^nd volume of “Archaeologia Lituana” is dedicated for representing the work of employees and alumni of the Department of Archaeology of Vilnius University employees.

The Department of Archaeology of Vilnius University is one of the main scientific institutions of archeology in Lithuania and the only one in the country that prepares archaeologists according to an approved study program in all three study degrees – bachelor, master and doctoral. Doctoral studies are carried out together with Lithuanian Institute of History.

Every second year “Archaeologia Lituana” is dedicated to representing international conference – Jonas Puzinas readings. Jonas Puzinas (1905–1978) was specializing in the research of prehistory of Lithuania, who laid the foundations, including some of the basic terminology and periodization, for future archaeological studies.

In 2017, the 19^th volume of “Archaeologia Lituana” was dedicated to introduce topics discussed during the conference “Hillforts. From Emergence to the Present Day”. The 21^st volume of “Archaeologia Lituana” in 2020 presented the conference “Investigating Bones: Diet, Health, Environment in the Baltic Region” and the 23^rdvolume of “Archaeologia Lituana” will be devoted to the International scientific conference dedicated to Prof. Marija Gimbutienė 100^th birth anniversary.

Traditionally every second volume of “Archaeologia Lituana” presents various scientific articles in which archaeologists from both Lithuania and other countries publish their research. I’m very grateful that for this volume our colleagues from Latvia Andris Kairišs and Irina Oļevska presented a very interesting analytical article about protection of archaeological sites in Latvia.

A colleague of the Department of Archaeology, Assoc. Prof. Egidijus Šatavičius presents his research on the Stone Age settlement.

Assoc. Prof. Gintautas Vėlius, one of the most experienced researchers of the Kernavė Archaeological Site and well-known expert of partisan war objects.

G. Vėlius publishes important research on the search for the remains of Lithuanian partisans, their course and results in the Našlaičiai Cemetery in Vilnius, which were very loud throughout Lithuania and highly appreciated by the public and the Lithuanian authorities.

Žygimantas Buržinskas, Atas Žvirblys, Liudvikas Vasiliauskas – former graduates of Vilnius University – present their articles that are a continuation and further research of their highly evaluated master’s theses. Žygimantas Buržinskas systematically researches the history of urban development of Merkinė in the 16^th–18^th centuries. Atas Žvirblys conducts a detailed analysis of clay tobacco pipes of the 17^th–19^th centuries. Liudvikas Vasiliauskas continues his research published in “Archaeologia Lituana” 18, and presents an article about uncatalogued artillery cannon stored in Hugo Scheu museum in Šilutė.

My colleagues of the Department of Archaeology carry out various scientific activities: organize archaeological research, manage and implement projects financed by the Research Council of Lithuania, carry out the project of archaeological exploration of the gas pipeline route and other archaeological research. This volume also contains a summary of all the projects and activities conducted by the staff and doctoral students of the Department of Archaeology of Vilnius University in 2021. We hope that this volume of “Archaeologia Lituana” will encourage other colleagues to publish their research in our journal.

Prof. Dr. Albinas Kuncevičius