Revisiting the Fortified Settlement Phase in Northeastern Lithuania: Culture, Economy, and Spatial Organisation at Antilgė, Garniai 1, and Mineikiškės

The fortified settlement phase marks one of the key stages in the development of hillforts in Lithuania, spanning c. 1000 BC–200 AD. In the Eastern Baltic, northeastern Lithuania stands out for its dense network of fortified settlements, reflecting a deliberate shift towards strategically safer residential settings. This article presents data from archaeological investigations conducted in 2016–2021 at the Antilgė, Garniai 1, and Mineikiškės hillforts. It examines the topography, structures, and assemblages of the sites, before turning to their chronology and regional significance. The results emphasise how short-lived fortified settlements in northeastern Lithuania illuminate regional particularities and community strategies, from choices of topography to patterns of craft, defence, and exchange. This perspective enables a fresh reassessment of the fortified settlement phase, situating it as a distinct yet interconnected phenomenon within the wider Eastern Baltic.