Obelytės piliakalnis archaeological site and settlement

Located in Miroslavo within Alytaus rajono savivaldybės teritorijoje, lies the Obelytės archaeological site - a hillfort and settlement that is part of a complex shared with the Kaukų site. Archaeologists from Vilnius University, led by Pranas Kulikauskas, conducted investigations from 1967 to 1969. They examined a 22 m² area of the rampart, finding that it was composed of pieces of burnt clay with 2-3 layers. They also investigated a 32 m² area at the eastern end of the rampart, where they found both rough and smooth ceramics.

The site was declared a cultural monument by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by resolution Nr.612 on 1998-05-19. The complex of the Kaukų and Obelytės hillforts was inhabited from the beginning of the 1st millennium until the 11th century, when it was likely destroyed during a military campaign by the Kievan Rus princes against the Yotvingian tribes.

Surrounding the hillfort is a 7.5 ha settlement area. The cultural layer extends to the south and east of the site, where both rough and smooth ceramics have been discovered. The hillfort itself is situated on the right bank of the Peršėkė river, featuring a rampart that has been excavated and leveled, standing 9-10 meters high.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons