Faculty of History

Sukurta: 06 July 2018

if7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7280, fax 268 7282

E-mail:

http://www.if.vu.lt

Dean – Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas

 

STAFF

58 teachers (incl. 53 holding research degree), 20 research fellows (incl. 11 holding research degree), 36 doctoral students.

DEPARTMENTS OF THE FACULTY

Department of Ancient and Medieval History
Department of Archaeology
Department of Modern History
Department of Theory of History and History of Culture
Centre for Stateless Cultures
Bioarchaeology Research Centre

RESEARCH AREAS

History of Lithuania: Sources, Historiography, Heritage, Memory
Prehistory and Archaeology of Lithuania

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS DEFENDED IN 2017

N. Dambrauskaitė. Noble household in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century.

I. Kaminskaitė. Wooden artefacts in Vilnius Lower Castle according to the archaeological data.

M. Kareniauskaitė. Crime and punishment in Lithuanian SSR.

M. Klovas. The origin and diffusion of private documents in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the end of 14th to the beginning of the 16th century (1529).

G. Petrauskas. Burial rites in Medieval Lithuania: the custom of cremating the dead.

A. Petrauskienė. Places of partisan war: memmorialisation and heritagisation in the independent Lithuania.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2017

International conferences:

Among the Traditions of Western and Eastern Christianity: Vilnius Trinity Church and Monastery in XIV-XIX centuries (with Ukrainian Catholic University, www.if.vu.lt/naujienos/renginiai/1148-tarptautine-moksline-konferencija-tarp-vakaru-ir-rytu-krikscionybiu-tradiciju)

Cultural Heritage of the Old Believers of the Baltic States: Research, Actualization of the Heritage and Idea of the Cultural Path (with Association of European Interpreters for Languages and Intercultural Dialogues, www.if.vu.lt/naujienos/renginiai/1105-tarptautine-konferencija-baltijos-saliu-sentikiu-kulturos-paveldas)

Hillforts. From Emergence to the Present Day (with Klaipėda University, Society of the Lithuanian Archaeology, www.ku.lt/en/events/international-scientific-conference-hillforts-from-emergence-to-the-present-day

The Loyal Subjects of One Ruler…: Lithuania and Saxony during the Wettin Period (with the National Museum Royal Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Lithuanian Institute of History, http://valdovurumai.lt/lankytojams/renginiai/tarptautine-moksline-konferencija-vieno-valdovo-istikimi-pavaldiniai-lietuva-ir-saksonija-valdant-vetinams#.Wlbge8aB1E4)

Teaching History at the University: Ideas, Problems and Challenges (with the Association of Transnational History, Embassy of Sweden, www.if.vu.lt/mokslas/mokslo-renginiai?start=8)

International seminars:

Comparing Genocides and Mass Atrocities (with Mémorial de la Shoah in Paris, Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum, www.if.vu.lt/naujienos/renginiai/1153-tarptautinis-seminaras-comparing-genocides-and-mass-atrocities)

Sources of the History of Lithuanian Tatars and Karaites and their Research Perspectives (with Department of National Minorities under Supervision of Lithuanian Government, Union of Lithuanian Tatar Communities, Cultural community of Lithuanian Karaites; www.if.vu.lt/naujienos/renginiai/1064-tarptautinis-seminaras-lietuvos-totoriu-ir-karaimu-istorijos-saltiniai-tyrimai-ir-ju-perspektyvos)

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2017

5 international conferences and 2 international seminars were organised.
Research results were successfully presented on the international level: international level monographs, international grants and researches, international conferences.
National grants for 7 new scientific projects were successfully received.

 

DEPARTMENT OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY

7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7297

E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas

STAFF

Professors: Dr. R. Petrauskas (part-time), Dr. I. Valikonytė (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr. V. Dolinskas (part-time), Dr. L. Jovaiša, Dr. J. Karpavičienė (part-time), Dr. E. Saviščevas.
Assistants: Dr. M. Jakulis, Dr. T. Čelkis, Dr. V. Volungevičius.
Researcher: Dr. N. Dambrauskaitė.
Junior researchers: N. Šlimienė, S. Viskantaitė-Saviščevienė.
Doctoral students: B. Balčiūnaitė, R. Dediala, V. Diemantaitė, V. Gudaitė, A. Jurkevičius, A. Petrilionis, T.Vaitkus.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

History of Lithuania: sources, historiography, heritage, memory
Society of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (henceforth the GDL) in the 14th–16th centuries
Research and publication of the 1st Lithuanian Statute (1529) and the Lithuanian Metrica (the so-called Court Record Books of the 1st half of the 16th century)
History of the GDL in the 2nd half of the 18th century
Woman’s Status in the GDL in the 16th Century
Life of Christian Churches and Religions in the GDL in the 16th–18th Centuries

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2017

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Court Record Books of the Lithuanian Metrica: in the Direction of Second Statute of Lithuanian (No. LIP-002/2016). Prof. I. Valikonytė. 2016–2018.

The aim of the project is to explore an issue which has not received much reflection in the Lithuanian and foreign historiography, i.e. justice and trial of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) in the 1half of the 16th century also legal culture and consciousness of noblemen of the GDL by analysing not only the norms of the Lithuanian Statute (this is typical for legal historians), but the application of the norms as well, which could be best seen from the cases made in the so-called Court Records Books of Lithuanian Metrica (LM).

Main publication:

Lietuvos Statutas: Temidės ir Klėjos teritorijos: Scientific articles, vol. 13, Vilnius: Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, 2017.

Research Council of Lithuania. Members of the Catholic Male Religious Orders in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: Corpus of Biographical (No. MIP-17-34). Prof. R. Witkowski. 2017–2020.

The aim of the project is to prepare the corpus of structured biographical entries comprising the members of Catholic male religious orders and congregations, active in the GDL, from 1387 to 1795. In 2017, according to the plan, designing of the digital data base was implemented, and research in the libraries and archives of Lithuania was conducted.

Research Council of Lithuania. Overland Routes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 13th-18th Century: Structure, Architecture, Maintenance and Functionality (No. MIP-17-43). Dr. T. Čelkis. 2017–2020.

The structure of Lithuania overland routes in the 13th–the first half of the 15th centuries will be discussed in the project. Its dynamics depends on political, social and economic development of the territory. Location of the water roads was ordered by the nature and adaptability, while overland routs were made purposeful and testified traces of human life.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Lithuanian Institute of History (Lithuania)
National Museum Royal Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Lithuania)
Chamber of Notaries (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Prof. R. Petrauskas –

Prof. I. Valikonytė –

Assoc. Prof. L. Jovaiša –

  • academician of the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Science (Lietuvos katalikų mokslo akademija), www.lkma.lt/index.php?id=19;
  • editor-in-chief of the journal Bažnyčios istorijos studijos (Studies in Church History), www.lkma.lt/index.php?id=111;
  • editorial board member of the journal Fontes Historiae Lituaniae;
  • editorial board member of the journal Lietuvių katalikų mokslo akademijos metraštis (Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Science Annuals), www.lkma.lt/index.php?id=105;
  • editorial board member of the journal Religinės kultūros paveldo studijos (Studies in Cultural Heritage of Religions);
  • editorial board member of the journal Studia Franciscana Lithuanica.

Assoc. Prof. J. Karpavičienė –

  • deputy chairperson and member of the commission of the project The Saxon-Magdeburgian Law as a Cultural Link between the Legal Orders of Eastern and Central Europe (Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig).

 

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY

7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7284

E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Albinas Kuncevičius

STAFF

Professors: Dr. A. Kuncevičius, Habil. Dr. M. Michelbertas (emeritus).
Associate professors: Dr. G. Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė Keen (part-time), Dr. A. Luchtanas, Dr. A. Merkevičius, Dr. J. Poškienė, Dr. E. Šatavičius, Dr. G. Vėlius
Lecturer: J. Kozakaitė (part-time)
Doctoral students: E. Ananyevskaya, S. Ardavičiūtė-Ramanauskienė, R. Augustinavičius, D. Baltramiejūnaitė, M. Grikpėdis, G. Gudaitienė, J. Kozakaitė, E. Marcinkevičiūtė, K. Minkevičius, L. Muradian, V. Suncovas, R. Valatkevičienė, A. Žilinskaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Prehistoric and historical archaeology of Lithuania and neighbouring countries (research of material and spiritual culture, landscape studies)
Archaeology of the Balts
Methodology of archaeological research
Bioarchaeology
Archaeological heritage management

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2017

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Landscape of the Statehood: Environment Transformations in the Historical Capitals of Lithuania (No. S-MIP-1736). Prof. A. Kuncevičius. 2017–2019.

Aims of the project: identification of the scale and character of environmental transformations in the historical capitals of Lithuania – Kernavė and Trakai (territories of Senieji Trakai castle and settlement, Trakai Peninsular castle), analysing the results in comparison with Vilnius data and interpretation in the context of genesis of the State; application and promotion of complex, interdisciplinary and non-destructive methods. The Project was started on October 1, 2017, the first publication of results is planned in 2018.

Research Council of Lithuania. The Residents of Vilnius Castles in the 14th–18th Centuries:   Social Structure and Everyday Life According Zooarchaeological, Zrchaeological and  Historical Data (No. LIP-015/2016). Dr. P. Blaževičius. 2016–2018.

Around 52 700 fragments of animal bones, found during the archaeological excavations in Vilnius Castle complex during the year 1988–2016, were investigated and identified. More than 1300 finished objects, semi-finished products and production waste of bone and antler were analysed. Research of the written sources, conducted in the archives and the libraries of Lithuania and Poland, allowed assembling a meaningful base of data expanding context for the archaeological material.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Institute of Archaeology University of Wrocław (Poland)
State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė (Lithuania)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
University of Latvia (Latvia)
University of Tartu (Estonia)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Kuncevičius –

Prof. emeritus M. Michelbertas –

Assoc. Prof. A. Merkevičius –

Assoc. Prof. G. Vėlius –

 

DEPARTMENT OF MODERN HISTORY

7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7286

E-mail:

Head – Dr. Arūnas Streikus

STAFF

Professors: Dr. Z. Butkus.
Associate professors: Dr. D. Bukelevičiūtė, Dr. A. Jakubčionis, Dr. S. Kaubrys, Dr. R. Kraujelis (part-time), Dr. A. Streikus.
Assistants: Dr. N. Černiauskas, Dr. M. Ėmužis (part-time), Dr. R. Gaidis, Dr. V. Klumbys (part-time), Dr. T. Vaiseta (part-time), Dr. I. Zakšauskienė (part-time).
Lectures: Dr. A. Abromaitis (part-time), A. Grodis (part-time), A. Narbutas (part-time)
Research fellows: Dr. M. Ėmužis, A. Grodis (part-time), Dr. G. Sviderskytė.
Doctoral students: S. Černevičiūtė, E. Jasiūnaitė, K. Kilinskas, D. Noreika, L. Nekrašas.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research on Lithuanian international relations in the 1920s–1930s
Research on political, social and cultural life in Lithuania during the interwar period
Problems of the national and religious minorities in Lithuania and Klaipėda district
Soviet occupation and re-occupation of Lithuania
Anti-Soviet resistance in Lithuania: armed and passive resistance
Soviet Lithuania and western countries during the Cold War
Catholic Church in Soviet Lithuania
Cultural life in Soviet Lithuania
Research on history studies modernizing

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2017

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Political Censorship in Soviet Lithuania (No. MIP-022/2015). Assoc. Prof. A.Streikus. 2015–2018.

According to the plan of the research the historiographical analysis of the theme was performed as well as published sources were analysed.

Research Council of Lithuania. The Change of Sexual Norms and Behaviour in Modern Society of Lithuania (No. S-MOD-17-6). Dr. V. Klumbys. 2017–2019.

The historiographical and theoretical analysis of the theme was performed, part of published sources (pedagogical, didactical, propagandistic literature, Lithuanian fiction, memoirs and juridical documents) were analysed.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic)
Genocide and Resistance Research Centre (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Special Archives (Lithuania)
Lithuanian State Historical Archives (Lithuania)
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Prof. Z. Butkus –

Assoc. Prof. D. Bukelevičiūtė –

Assoc. Prof. A. Jakubčionis –

Assoc. Prof. S. Kaubrys –

Assoc. Prof. A. Streikus –

 

DEPARTMENT OF THEORY OF HISTORY AND CULTURAL HISTORY

7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7288

E-mail:

Head – Prof. Dr. Alfredas Bumblauskas

STAFF

Professors: Habil. Dr. T. Bairašauskaite (part-time), Dr. A. Bumblauskas, Habil. Dr. E. Gudavičius (emeritus).
Associate professsors: Dr. D. Brandišauskas (part-time), Dr. M. Drėmaitė, Dr. A. Gieda, Dr. G. Kirkienė, Dr. S. Kulevičius (part-time), Dr. E. Raila, Dr. N. Šepetys, Dr. R. Šermukšnytė, Dr. A. Švedas, Dr. J. Verbickienė.
Assistants: Dr. N. Babinskas (part-time), Dr. B. Gailius (part-time), Dr. L. Skurvydaitė (part-time), Dr. A. Vasiliauskas (part-time)
Lecturer: D. Vitkauskaitė
Senior researcher: Dr. D. Brandišauskas (part-time)
Researcher: Dr. I. Leonavičiūtė
Doctoral students: R. Anulytė, V. Bytautaitė, A. Dambrauskas, V. Janušauskaitė, A. Naudžiūnienė, L. Peluritis, M. Ramonaitė, D. Sakalauskas, Š. Sederevičiūtė. V. Starikovičius, S. Stasiulis, M. Šiupšinskas, E. Šmidtas, K. Žilinskaitė

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Theoretical, methodological and historiographical problems of history
History of Lithuanian culture
Theoretical and didactical aspects of history of Lithuanian culture
Historical culture and forms of cultural identity of Lithuanian society
Individual and collective forms of historical memory
Cultural heritage studies
Studies of Lithuanian ethnic and confessional minorities
Everyday life and domestic history
Functions of history in the contemporary society

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2017

International Research Projects

Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe. Developing Jewish Studies in Lithuania: Establishing the Research and Teaching Field in Vilnius University (Grant No. 086/14). Assoc. Prof. J. Verbickienė. 2014–2017.

The main goal of the project is to establish and develop Jewish Studies in the Faculty of History (University of Vilnius). It will focus on expanding and defining subjects of the field, making them more available for students and laying grounds for the future research projects. This project opens ways to promote young researchers research and career progress. These young perspective scholars will have the chance to continue with their training as young lecturers and remain engaged in the field by specializing in the study of history and culture of the East European Jews with a special focus being Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the history of Lithuanian Jewry and its specificities.

Norwegian Research Council. Challenges in Arctic Governance: Indigenous Territorial Rights in the Russian Federation (No. 257644). Assoc. Prof. D. Brandišauskas. 2016–2019.

In 2017 anthropological fieldwork was conducted, conference presentation was made.

National Geographic Society grant. Assoc. Prof. D. Brandišauskas. 2016–2017.

In 2017 fieldwork was conducted.

Research Council of Lithuania. Orthodox and Uniate Societies of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: History, Culture, Memories (No. TAP LU-6/2016). Assoc. Prof. G. Kirkienė. 2016–2017.

The aim of the research is to carry out a study of the orthodox and uniate histories of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as well as one of their most significant monuments – the complex of the Holy Trinity Church – with the help of Lithuanian and Ukrainian scientists. The research should encompass the aspects of history, art history, memory study, archaeology and anthropology. 2017 results: international conference Among the Traditions of Western and Eastern Christianity: Vilnius Trinity Church and Monastery in XIV-XIX Centuries and a monograph.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Conflicts between State and Indigenous Communities: Resource Extraction and Contested Land Use in Siberia (Russian Federation) (No. S-MIP-17-41). Assoc. Prof. D. Brandišauskas. 2017–2020.

Research Council of Lithuania. Jews in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: History of One of the Largest Jewish Communities in Eastern Europe (No. LIP-099/2016). Assoc. Prof. J. Verbickienė. 2016–2018.

Research Council of Lithuania. Jonas Basanavičius: Personality, Ideas, Contexts (No. MIP-032/2015). Assoc. Prof. E. Raila. 2015–2018.

The aim of the project is to prepare a manuscript of the publication devoted to the biography of Jonas Basanavičius (1851–1927). Basanavičius could be treated as the main founder of nowadays Lithuanain ideology and one of the main pillars (along with Vincas Kudirka and Jonas Jablonskis) of modern Lithuanianism. 2017: materials for the monograph on Jonas Basanavičius in the archives and libraries of the city of Prague (Czech Republic) were collected.

Research Council of Lithuania. Housing Architecture in Soviet Lithuania:  between the Mass and the Individual (No. S-MOD-17-21). Assoc. Prof. M. Drėmaitė. 2017–2019.

The project is aimed at comprehensive research of different forms of housing during the Soviet period in Lithuania, 1940–1990. The project combines art history and history to investigate the living environment and living conditions. The results of the research will be published in 3 academic papers and a monograph. 2017 results: international seminar Soviet Experiment in Housing.

Research Council of Lithuania. Vilnius, Kaunas, Grodno Ecology, Sanitary, and Hygienic System, 1870–1914: in the Context of the modernization of European Cities (No. S-MOD- 17-9). Dr. A. Ambrulevičiūtė. 2017–2019.

The main aim is the comparative historical sociological analysis of the transformation of Vilnius, Kaunas and Grodno (North-western land provinces) from traditional urban ecology and sanitary-hygienic (unregulated) system to modern (regulated) system in 1870–1914, in the context of European cities modernization.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Department of Cultural Heritage (Lithuania)
Institute of Ukrainian History (Ukraine)
Polish Institute in Vilnius (Lithuania)
Ukrainian Catholic University (Ukraine)
Vilnius Yiddish Institute (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Prof. T. Bairašauskaitė –

Prof. A. Bumblauskas –

Prof. emeritus E. Gudavičius –

  • member of the Russian Science Academy of Humanities in St. Petersburg.

Assoc. Prof. D. Brandišauskas –

  • National Geographic Society Explorer;
  • honorary research fellow, Department of Anthropology in Aberdeen University (Scotland);
  • associated research fellow, European Centre for the Arctic, University of Versailles (France);
  • member of International Association for the Arctic Social Sciences;
  • member of International Association of Hunters and Gatherers Societies;
  • member of State Commission of Cultural Heritage, https://vkpk.lt/apie-mus/paveldo-komisijos-nariai/;
  • editorial board member of the journal Lithuanian Journal of Anthropology, www.anthropology.lt.

Assoc. Prof. M. Drėmaitė –

  • member of Architectural Historians Network EAHN;
  • member of Assessment Council for Immovable Cultural Heritage (Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture);
  • editorial board of the journal Architecture and Urban Planning, https://aup-journals.rtu.lv.

Assoc. Prof. R. Šermukšnytė –

Assoc. Prof. A. Švedas –

  • member of Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies;
  • member of the International Commission for the History and Theory of Historiography
  • member of International Network for Theory of History, www.inth.ugent.be;
  • participant of Annual ASEEES (Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies);
  • co-founder and organiser Vilnius Symposium on Late and Post-Soviet Issues;
  • editorial board member of the journal Lietuvos istorijos studijos (Studies of Lithuania’s History), www.journals.vu.lt/lietuvos-istorijos-studijos/pages/view/editorial-board.

Dr. N. Babinskas –

  • member of the Romanian Association for Nordic and Baltic countries;
  • chairman of the Association of Transnational History;
  • member of the European Network in Universal and Global History (ENIUGH);
  • editorial board member of the journal Valahian Journal of Historical Studies.

 

CENTRE FOR STATELESS CULTURES

7 Universiteto, LT-01513 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7293

E-mail:

Head – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grigorijus Potašenko

STAFF

Associate professor: Dr. G. Potašenko.

Assistant: Dr. D. Troskovaitė (part-time).

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Centre carries out research on the region’s stateless minority cultures (cultures that do not benefit from the moral and material support of a “home country” anywhere): Yiddish, Old Believers, Tatars, Karaimes, Roma and also multicultural studies

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

The Centre for Studies of the Culture and History of East European Jews (Lithuania)
Institute of Social Research (Lithuania)
National Minorities Department under the of Lithuania Republic Government (Lithuania)
Old Believers Research Commission of the International Committee of Slavists
Torun Mikołaj Kopernik University (Poland)
Vilnius Yiddish Institute (Lithuania)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Assoc. Prof. G. Potašenko –

  • member of Old Believers Research Commission of the International Committee of Slavists.

Dr. D. Troskovaitė –

  • member of European Association of Jewish Studies;
  • member of World Union of Jewish studies.

 

BIOARCHAEOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE

21 Čiurlionio, LT-03101 Vilnius

Tel. 268 7284

E-mail:

Head – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giedrė Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė Keen

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Palaeodiet
Crop cultivation and processing strategies
Plant remains
Zooarchaeological remains
Earliest appearance and geographical origins of agriculture in the east Baltic Region
Economy of prehistoric populations in Central Asia

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

University of Tartu (Estonia)
Aristotle University in Thessaloniki (Greece)
University of York (UK)

OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Assoc. Prof. G. Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė Keen –