History of Lithuania () or Academic History of Lithuania () is a thirteen-volume series of books dedicated to the history of Lithuania. The project is organised by the Lithuanian Institute of History, with the assistance of various Lithuanian universities.
The first volume was published in 2005, and its last volume was originally scheduled for publication in 2011, though only five volumes had been released by 2011. It is the largest and the most comprehensive academic publication covering Lithuania's history ever released.
After Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, a number of academic works were published by prominent historians of the state's history. These included Edvardas GudaviÃÂiusâ "Lietuvos istorija. Nuo seniausià ³ laikà ³ iki 1569 metà ³" () in 1999; Zigmantas Kiaupa's "Lietuvos valstybÃÂs istorija" () in 2004; and Alfredas Bumblauskasâ "Senosios Lietuvos istorija 1009âÂÂ1795" () in 2005. However, the majority of these were dedicated to specific time frames and did not cover the entire period from prehistory to the modern era.
The first proposal to issue a complete history may be credited to Professor Antanas Tyla. The suggestion was reinforced by academic Vytautas Merkys. The opportunity to issue a fundamental and comprehensive academic work arose in 2000 when a programme sponsored by the Lithuanian Institute of History, coordinated by Prof. Habil. Dr. Jà «ratàKiaupienÃÂ, was approved.
Per the approved programme, each volume of the Academic History will cover a particular historical time frame, and its thirteen volumes will encompass Lithuania's entire history. After its completion, it will be the largest academic publication covering Lithuania's history ever released and will include the latest research findings. Its intent is to transcend narrow historical perspectives and to focus on the evolution of Lithuania. Political, ethical, confessional, and judicial themes will be covered in a European context, and the modern works of Ukrainian, Russian, and other states' historians will be examined.
Initially, twelve volumes were planned, but after the work began it became evident that coverage of modern Lithuanian history would require an additional volume. The successive volumes will be the same size â 25.5 cm x 16.5 cm. The editorial board of the series consists of the following scholars: Habil. Dr. Algirdas Girininkas, Dr. Artà «ras Dubonis, Prof. Dr. Zigmantas Kiaupa, Prof. Habil. Dr. Jà «ratàKiaupienÃÂ, Dr. ÃÂeslovas LaurinaviÃÂius, Dr. Rimantas Miknys, Dr. Gintautas Sliesorià «nas, and Dr. Gintautas Zabiela. More than 20 scholars are working on this project. Each volume is peer-reviewed and has an additional responsible editor. The Lithuanian Institute of History is acting in cooperation with Lithuanian universities, including Vilnius University, increasing scholarly involvement in the project.
The series' first volume, "Lietuvos istorija. Akmens amà ¾ius ir ankstyvasis metalà ³ leikotrapis" (), was released in 2005. This volume covers the period between the end of the last ice age and the first written mention of the inhabitants of the Baltic region. It covers approximately 10,000 years, investigating the development of communities during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras and the Bronze Age in a local and European context. Forest dwellers are examined along with agrarian societies. It features an improved periodisation of epochs, and social developments are analyzed using not only archaeological findings, but the methodologies of the natural sciences as well. The genesis and evolution of particular local cultures such as Mesolithic Nemunas and Neolithic Nemunas is discussed.
The 357-page volume was written by authors known for their field work in archaeology and the prehistory of Lithuania: Dr. Tomas Ostrauskas, Dr. Vygandas Juodagalvis, Hab. Dr. Algirdas Girininkas, and Dr. Dà ¾iugas Brazaitis. Its responsible editor was Algirdas Girininkas. The volume was peer-reviewed by Prof. Habil. Dr. Vladas à ½ulkus and Dr. Algimantas MerkeviÃÂius.
The second volume, entitled "Lietuvos istorija. Geleà ¾ies amà ¾ius" (), was issued in 2007. It encompassed the era between the 1st century and the 12th century. Invoking archaeological research, it discusses Lithuania's formation and development, and the impacts made by the Vikings and by Rus. An in-depth analysis was made of the evolution of the Baltic tribes in the region since these Lithuanians were the only Balts to create their own state.
The volume was written by Dr. Gintautas Zabiela, Habil. Dr. Vytautas KazakeviÃÂius, Dr. Ilona Vaà ¡keviÃÂià «tÃÂ, Dr. Rasa BanytàRowell, and Dr. Darius Baronas; the responsible editor was Gintautas Zabiela. During the volume's preparation, Vytautas KazakeviÃÂius died, and his work was finished by Zabiela. The 517-page volume was peer-reviewed by Dr. Albinas KunceviÃÂius and Dr. Mindaugas Bertaà ¡ius.
In 2008 another volume of the book was released, entitled "Sàjà «dis: nuo "Persitvarkymo" iki Kovo 11-osios" (). This volume was written by Dr. ÃÂeslovas LaurinaviÃÂius and Dr. Vladas SirutaviÃÂius. Currently available I part of the XII volume.
The third volume will begin with the 12th century; the thirteenth and last volume will cover the 21st century. The last volume was initially scheduled for release in 2011. According to a preliminary assessment, the remaining volumes will be organized and edited as follows: