Aukuro kalnas, Archaeological site in Kernavė, Lithuania.
Aukuro kalnas is an archaeological site comprising five interconnected hills with steep slopes and fortified remains of past settlements. The terrain reveals how successive communities chose this location for habitation and defense across different periods.
The site experienced continuous occupation from the first century through medieval times, marked by cycles of destruction and rebuilding. Systematic excavations beginning in the 1990s uncovered layered remains and artifacts that document this extended settlement history.
The hillfort represents a central element of Lithuanian heritage, where communities gather annually to commemorate traditional festivals and historical events.
Marked pathways connect all five hills, making the entire site navigable for visitors of varying abilities. Interpretive panels along the routes help explain the excavated structures and their layout.
The name translates to Gold Hill in Lithuanian, though it refers to the site's importance rather than any actual discovery. Visitors often overlook that multiple distinct cultures lived on these same hills in succession, layering their remains and artifacts.
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