Styli in Vilnius

A rare discovery of bone styli in the 16th-century cultural layers of Vilnius, Lithuania, challenges assumptions about their presence in medieval burial grounds. Unlike other cities in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where styli are typically found in urban settings before burial sites, these artefacts were unearthed outside the original burial ground horizon, raising questions about their origin and association with the 'Civitas Rutenica'—a Ruthenian city mentioned in historical records. The study examines whether these styli could have been part of the earlier burial ground or linked to later cultural influences, providing new insights into the religious affiliation and material culture of medieval Lithuania.

Jonaitis, R. (2024). Styli in Vilnius. Ukraina Lithuanica. Studìï Z Ìstorìï Velikogo Knâzìvstva Litovsʹkogo, 2024(VII), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.15407/ul2024.07.065