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Tragiškieji Vilniaus Tuskulėnai
Author(s)
Vaškevičiūtė, Ilona |
Title
Tragiškieji Vilniaus Tuskulėnai
Other Title
Tragic Tuskulėnai in Vilnius
Is part of
Istorija, 1998, t. 38, p. 51-53
Journal Title
Journal Issue Title
Date Issued
Date Issued | Volume | Start Page | End Page |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | 38 | 51 | 53 |
Abstract
In 1994-1996 the Research Centre for Lithuanian Castles (headed by Vytautas Urbanavičius) excavated the bodies of people murdered in the KGB cellars and buried on the Tuskulėnai estate, the centre of Vilnius. An area of 67 000 square metres has been unearthed. It contained two burial pits with the remains of 706 people who had been shot dead. 32 pits with the remains of victims have been found in the formerly garage on the estate. The biggest pit held the remains of 154 people. Bodies of murdered people were dumped in 3 layers, covered with tarred paper and lime. Other pits held 18, 32, 89 of human remains. There were also separate graves on the Tuskulėnai estate. 113 unfortunate human beings were buried in the trench, the size of which 15x3 m and located at the edge of the territory pointed to the NW. Almost all people were sentenced to death by shooting at the back of their head. Control bullet holes could be clearly seen in the skulls, most frequently aimed at the forehead of the head. Some victims have managed to hide and to preserve personal articles - bone cigar-holders, pipers, combs, spoons, lockets (crosses), wedding-rings, pencils as well as a bottle from unevaporated perfume... A whole collection of buttons, mostly from underwear, was gathered, too. The most numerous finds - shoes have been thrown on the bodies, on the top of the pit. The State Security Department of Lithuania disclosed where, how and who performed an execution. Innocent people were condemned to death and shot in cellars of the KGB, in special place (room). The German army has withdrawn its troops from Lithuania, and professional KGB staff performed executions and thousands of innocent people were tortured to death or shot. Priests, a bishop, a burgomaster, students of high schools, teachers, innocent villagers - farmers, intelligentsia as well as the leaders and participants of the resistance movements have been shot dead. The age of the victims were determined by their teeth. Youths who had wisdom teeth and men of honourable age as well as invalids have been unearthed during the excavation works. Four women of 706 victims were also found in the pits of Tuskulėnai.
Type of document
type::text::journal::journal article::research article
Language
Lietuvių / Lithuanian (lt)