Crypt Archaeology: Preliminary Investigations in the Basilian Church of the Holy Trinity of Vilnius, Lithuania (original) (raw)

This research investigates the crypt beneath the Basilian Church of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, Lithuania, uncovered during efforts to organize the burial site. Examination of 71 coffins and over 60 skeletons revealed significant biodeterioration, dominated by fungi of the Penicillium spinulosum species. The findings included burial artifacts and grave goods that indicate the historical context of the burials, primarily belonging to religious members of the Basilian Order, with inscriptions assisting in identifying the deceased. Anthropological study examined demographics of the buried and provided insights into historical burial practices, indicating that the crypt serves as a valuable bio-historical resource.