Archaeologia Baltica

Publications on hillforts, like those in other areas of archaeological research, serve as important sources of knowledge. Their significance has grown in recent years as the number of new hillfort excavations has decreased considerably, and accordingly earlier publications are now referenced more frequently. By 2024, a total of 48 works on hillforts had been published. The question is, however, whether these studies meet the definition of a ‘comprehensive publication’ and whether the data they present is reliable and provides a suitable basis for future research.

The Žardė–Laistai–Bandužiai archaeological complex is one of the largest and most unique prehistoric sites in western Lithuania, dating from the 1st millennium BC to the 13th–14th centuries. Within the complex, the ancient settlements of Bandužiai (Žardė) and Bandužiai I are distinguished by the abundance of features linked to production and economic activities. Years of research at the Bandužiai (Žardė) settlement have provided copious amounts of archaeological material, mostly related to metallurgical activities, but its fragmentary nature makes interpretation difficult and highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach. This paper presents a more comprehensive overview of the Bandužiai (Žardė) settlement through archaeobotanical finds which have been systematically collected but only analysed to a limited extent. The material derives from multiple archaeological contexts, some of which were radiocarbon-dated using AMS. The dates revealed a direct chronology for some archaeological features, extending from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age, with the exception of the Roman period. The archaeobotanical analysis produced a large dataset of charred and waterlogged plant remains, enabling detailed insights into agricultural practices, settlement structure and environmental conditions over time, and providing rare insights into plant use in production-oriented areas. Results demonstrated that while the main cultivated species varied across different phases, environmental conditions remained relatively stable. Wild and cultivated plants indicated a frequent human presence from the Pre-Roman period, intensifying in later times. Evidence also suggests that the site might have been used differently at certain times, with a clearly defined industrial zone, a possible food preparation zone and even a short-lived domestic zone during the Viking period. These findings provide one of the most comprehensive archaeobotanical datasets from western Lithuania, contributing to wider discussions of agricultural development and human–environment interaction in the eastern Baltic.

The article discusses a hoard of Late Bronze Age artefacts recently discovered near the River Venta in western Latvia. This is only the seventh Bronze Age hoard from Latvia. The find consists of eight to nine whole and fragmentary bronze artefacts. This publication describes the circumstances of discovery and presents an analysis of the artefacts, their chronology and metal composition, seeking to place the hoard within the general context of Late Bronze Age Europe. The objects constituting the Liedikas hoard have been conserved and are held at Kuldīga District Museum.

This study aims to investigate the availability of earth pigments in the Lake Burtnieks area in Latvia and to analyse the use and symbolic significance of ochre during the Stone Age.

This study examines the intra-site structure of two Late Mesolithic sites in southeast Lithuania: Gailiūnai 2 and Varėnė 2. Gailiūnai 2 presents a rare example of a single-period camp with a well-preserved spatial structure of discrete lithic scatters. In contrast, Varėnė 2 is a multi-period palimpsest site with mixed archaeological deposits but with documented Mesolithic features. Spatial analysis, characterisation and refitting of lithic artefacts as well as AMS 14C dating were carried out in order to identify the patterns in the internal organisation of both sites and define the nature of activities that resulted in the formation of their particular structure. The analyses have shown that three discrete lithic clusters at Gailiūnai 2 likely reflect remains of short-term task-specific encampments with the western cluster also displaying evidence of a surface dwelling. Refitting revealed prevalence of short reduction sequences and a technological organisation indicative of short-term stays. Varėnė 2 represents repeated, more substantial occupations involving habitation inside dugout dwellings as well as potential reuse of their pits as dumps. While individual lithic scatters are impossible to distinguish, three dugout structures with artefact-rich fills indicate more substantial habitation for longer periods. Radiocarbon dating has shown that dugouts were probably used between ca. 7170 and 4800 cal BC and in separate phases. The Late Mesolithic habitation at Varėnė 2 involved extensive usage of distinctive reddish-banded flint, which was used contemporaneously with the inhabitation and burial at one of the dugouts. The contrasting site structures highlight variability in Late Mesolithic settlement strategies. These results demonstrate the potential of unstratified sandy sites to reveal meaningful insights into lifeways of Stone Age hunter-gatherers in the southeast Baltic.

This paper presents the results of analysis of lead isotope ratios (208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb,