The mound of secrets (Schématies pilekalnis)

The mound of secrets (Schématies pilekalnis)

This mysterious oval structure sits in Utena region's forests and fields. With remains of nearby settlements, what were its inhabitants up to?

The mound of secrets (Šeimaties piliakalnis) is an oval artifact of the past, situated in Utenos rajono savivaldybės territory. Its shape approximately measures 26x10 meters, composed of three layers of stonework. The base stands 0.6 meters high, spans 8 meters wide, and has a 20x10-meter wooden platform atop. Above the base lies a second layer 0.5 meters high and 6 meters wide, featuring a 4x0.3-meter trench and a 6x0.4-meter level above it. The third layer, 6 meters wide and 0.4 meters high, sports a 6x1.5-meter trench atop.

The oval edges are equipped with 15x1-meter wooden platforms. A 6x10-meter terrace rests 2 meters above the oval edge's top. The total height of the structures reaches 10 meters. Remains of pottery, brick kilns, and stone structures were discovered in a nearby settlement of roughly 1 hectare. The Institute of History identified Šeimaties piliakalnis in 1970, and it is classified as a hillfort, with the Hilforts.eu website listing it accordingly.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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