Guardian over Velžiai lake: a mystery hillfort

Guardian over Velžiai lake: a mystery hillfort

A hillfort stands sentinel on the edge of a lost lake, dated from the 1st millennium BC to the 13th century AD. Hidden secrets lie within, waiting to be discovered.

The Velžiai hillfort, set on the former banks of the Arimaičių lake (now a dam), is located in the Radviliškio rural district, close to Velžiai village, Šeduteriai parish. Positioned just off the A9 highway, a branch road named 'Žirnelio' leads from a nearby parking lot, 30 meters to the left from the lot. The hillfort, though narrow, soars to 1.5 meters in the north-south direction and 15 meters in the east-west direction. Measuring 25 meters across and 4-5 meters high in the east, its western banks are 20 meters wide and 2 meters deep.

An intriguing feature of the hillfort's southeast bank is a protrusion of up to 2 meters high. Traces of human habitation, dating from the 1st millennium BC to the 13th century AD, were uncovered during archaeological excavations in 1968 and 1969, revealing evidence of a bronze antiklake, fossilized bones, shards of pottery, and signs of past inhabitants.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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