Burial Regalia Belonging to Lithuanian Royals Missing Since World War II Uncovered by Archaeologists

Archaeologists have unearthed several burial regalia belonging to royal families in Lithuania. The recovered artifacts included medieval crowns and many other valuable metal regalia, stated Live Science. The items were found under a staircase of Vilnius Cathedral and as per researchers had been tucked away for around a century. Several of the accessories had been recorded as missing in historical records since the start of World War II.

Along with medieval crowns, archaeologists found chains, a medallion, rings, a scepter, an orb, and plaques in the cache, stated CNN. "These symbols are important both for the State and for each of us, as signs of European identity, as a reclaimed identity of the old State, as a sign of the strength of our roots," said Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, director of the Vilnius Church Heritage Museum.

Archaeologists were exploring the underground chambers of the cathedral in December 2024, when they made the discovery, according to Live Science. The team used an endoscopic camera and looked into the small and big holes of the walls, to locate any hidden item. All of the artifacts found in the Cathedral have been dated back to the 16th century.

The treasures were collected in 1931 from the cathedral after a flood damaged its crypt. During the flood, the sarcophagus (stone coffins) of three prominent 16th-century rulers came to light. The artifacts were located in these coffins. In 1939, the items were again hidden in the same establishment due to fear of the upcoming war. Researchers claimed that a newspaper from 1939 was wrapped around these items, before hiding them below the staircase.

As per the coffin plaques, the burials belonged to Alexander Jagiellon, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, Elisabeth of Austria (also known as Elizabeth Habsburg), and Barbara Radziwiłl, wives of Sigismund II Augustus, who was also the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland. The recovered artifacts are very crucial to researchers because of their association with Jagiellon and Habsburg dynasties.

"This reflects the burial and honoring practices of the time. This discovery is of particular importance for our statehood, as it shows the location of Vilnius Cathedral as the necropolis of the elite of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania," Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas said, as per CNN.

Researchers believe that the cathedral could have been the burial ground of people belonging to the family of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy. Experts knew from historical records that burial regalia from the coffins of Lithuanian and Polish royalty had been hidden in the cathedral. Despite this knowledge, it took them many decades to get to the valuables.

Officials from Vilnius Church Heritage Museum and government authorities put in many hours and resources to find the hidden items. The team became successful in their pursuit after several attempts. A few artifacts from the 16th century have been uncovered in Lithuania which further increases the value of these artifacts. At present the items are being cataloged, and will then be restored. There are plans in place to put these artifacts on display for the public.