Construction has been halted at the site of a centuries-old Jewish cemetery in what was formerly the heavily-populated Jewish area of Vilna. The halt came after human bones were found in the course of the excavation at the site.

The cemetery had been active in the center of Vilna since the 16th century, but was shut down in the 19th century and dismantled in mid-20th century. Once it was closed, the Jewish community received a monetary compensation from the then administration of the Russian czar.

Jewish groups have condemned the plans to build on the site, saying that the discovery of the bones indicates that there are still human remains on the site, and that it would be a serious desecration to plow them up and create residences above them.

Disputing this contention are members of the Lithuanian Archaeological Society. Zenonas Baubonis, head of the group, said that the bones found at the site in a dig in July were not from burials. He said the bones were found a mere 20 to 30 centimeters underground and that they were not aligned in a fashion that would indicate burial.

Many have commended the Lithuanian authorities for acting with sensitivity to Jewish concerns in this case. The dig is being carried out by Lithuanian archaeologists under the supervision of rabbis delegated from the Committee for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe and Israeli geophysicists who finished surveying the territory with their instruments a month ago. Upon news of the discovery of the human remains, the Cultural Heritage Department of Lithuania announced a halt to the work pending further tests.

(Source: Baltic Times)