the old arsenal

Contacts
Address: Arsenalo g. 3, LT-01100 Vilnius.
Tel. (+370 ~ 5) 212 24 52.

Information for Visitor

Opening hours:
1 May – 30 September: Tuesday – Saturday 10–17; Sunday 10–15;
1 October – 30 April: Wednesday – Sunday 10–17.

Admission:
adults – 5 Lt;
pupils, students and OAP – 2 Lt;
child under 7, disabled – free.

Guided tours:
lithuanian language – 20–25 Lt;
foreign language – 20–50 Lt.

Exposition 'Prehistory of Lithuania'
The first archaeological exposition in Lithuania was presented in 2000 in the northern block of the Old Arsenal at Vilnius Lower Castle. The exposition displays over 4000 archaeological findings, which cover the period from the 11th century BC (the arrival of the first settlers in Lithuania) to the 13th century – the formation of the Lithuanian State.

The 1st Hall: Lithuania BC
The oldest findings from the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages present work tools and armament made of flint, which belonged to the first settlers of Lithuania. Alongside flint and bone articles, the exposition displays palaeographic maps depicting the formation of the territory of Lithuania. Besides, visitors can admire an impressive reconstruction of a priest’s tomb from the Mesolithic age.
The exposition also displays archaeological findings from the Neolithic age related to hunting, housekeeping, fishing, agriculture, craft and religion. The museum has a large collection of findings from the Neolithic settlements in Šventoji region. Woodworks, bone and amber articles form the most impressive and valuable part of this collection. The late Neolithic period is reflected by the outstanding collection of pottery from the Nida settlement.

The 2nd Hall: The Period Before the Formation of the Lithuanian State
The activities and lifestyle of Lithuanians during the period of the 1st to the 13th c are depicted in various themes: trade, agriculture, metallurgy, munition, horsemen, spinning and weave, pottery and etc. This section of the exposition displays work tools, armament and various household utensils found in mounds, settlements and burial-grounds.
The bigger part of the exposition is devoted to the ethnic history of Lithuania, which presents the Baltic tribes of the 5th—12th c: Lithuanians, Jotvingians (jotvingiai), Sudovians (sudūviai), aukštaičiai, Selonians (sėliai), Semigolians (žiemgaliai), Samogitians (žemaičiai), Skalvians (skalviai), Lamatians (lamatiečiai) ir Curonians (kuršiai). The dwelling-territory of each tribe is marked in the map of Baltic tribes (5th–12th c). The ethnic history is reflected in various archaeological findings, such as burial monuments, archetypical jewellery. Finally, the exposition presents the map of all Baltic tribes which shows the outline of the Lithuanian State under the rule of King Mindaugas.Another section of the exposition presents the clothing style of Lithuanians at the time. Six “families” are recreated using the findings from specific burial-grounds. Exact copies of jewellery and armament were used in the reconstruction of the clothing exposition