Archaeological Discovery in the Woods: Kaukuru, Šвентупіс

Hidden in the dense woods of Šventupis lies Kaukuru, a mystery-filled archaeological site that dates back to the Iron Age. Known as the Swedish Mound, it is located near Kejėnai village, a suburb of Šventupis itself. The hillfort, built during the 1st and 2nd centuries, was surrounded by various fortifications, including a moat and 17 forts named Švedkapiai. Research on the site has unearthed 8 stone walls and 8 bronze-iron swords with iron fittings in the moat, aproximately 380 artifacts, and several giant iron chains. The forts, with piles 6-12 meters high and 0.3-0.6 meters wide, were constructed using wooden remains. Kaunas History Museum archeologist Juozas Antanavičius led excavations in 1970, while V. Kazakevičius conducted excavations in the moat in 1999.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons