Page "Ashmyany" Paragraph 2

Town and region surrounding modern Ashmyany was once ethnic Lithuanian land.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries a lot of local Lithuanians died out due to wars and famine, in their place were settled new Slavic colonists.

With time Lithuanians were outnumbered by Slavs.

Presently, Lithuanian past is sealed in towns's name, which is of Lithuanian origin.

Town's name derivative from river name Ašmena ( modern Oshmianka River ), which is originated from appellative Lithuanian word akmuo ( stone ).

Link between consonants š and k is old and echoed in Lithuanian words, respectively ašmuo ( sharp blade ) and akmuo ( stone ).

Present name Ashmyany is using plural form of name and is a modern invention, as through ancient town's history, its name was recored in Lithuanian singular form.