Discovered: A Mysterious, Vaulted Chamber in a Lithuanian Hillfort - Kreivėnų

Kreivėnų piliakalnis, commonly known as Kulmenų piliakalniu, Pilies kalnu ir Vilkės piliakalniu, is situated in Pagėgiai Seniūnijoje, Lithuania. It lies approximately 1 km to the northwest of Kulmenų kaimo branduolio, on the left bank of the Neris River. The archaeological site, measuring about 47x16 meters, stands 18 meters tall. A vaulted chamber exists in the central part of the site, dating from the 5th to the 12th century.

Archaeological research conducted in 1987 and 1996–1998 found 76 entrances in the archaeological site, 14 of which are undamaged and 61 are damaged. In 1997, around 200 iron objects, including nails, iron tools, jewelry, pieces of jewelry, keys, lock alloys, hinges, hooks, and iron coins, were found in the territory of the archaeological site using a metal detector. These iron objects, presumed to belong to wealthy people, indicate numerous keys and locks, suggesting the presence of treasures or locked doors.

Some archaeologists and historians believe that the archaeological site might be linked to the rammed earth castle of Sarekos pilimi mentioned in written sources.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons