Archaelogical Fieldworks in Estonia 2025

In February, the Great Guild Hall will showcase the travelling exhibition of the Estonian Archaeologists’ Association, highlighting the most significant archaeological fieldwork carried out last year. In addition, the Estonian History Museum will present a small selection of archaeological finds that reached researchers during the same period.

In 2025, archaeologists submitted 220 research reports to the National Heritage Board. Most of the work consisted of rescue excavations of varying scale, but each year around twenty fieldwork projects are also carried out to explore specific research questions. Regardless of the reason for undertaking the research, the information gathered in the field is an invaluable resource for expanding our understanding of Estonia’s past. The exhibition introduces 26 sites investigated last year.

Archaeologists have been compiling preliminary annual research results into an exhibition since 2002. For the fourth consecutive year, the work has been organised by the Estonian Archaeologists’ Association with the support of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. The first to see the exhibition are visitors in Tallinn, followed by Saaremaa. Over the course of the year, the exhibition will travel across Estonia.

In addition to the travelling exhibition, the Estonian History Museum also presents a small selection of archaeological finds unearthed last year. Visitors can see, among other items, a fragment of a medieval stone relief discovered at Kabala Manor in Rapla County, various medieval and early modern artefacts and fragments from excavations at Rävala pst 8 and Estonia pst 1/3 in Tallinn, as well as some of the most interesting finds reported by hobby detectorists to the National Heritage Board. The museum’s partners for the display of archaeological finds are the Archaeological Research Collection of Tallinn University and the National Heritage Board.

Team:
Organiser: Estonian Archaeologists’ Association
Authors: Archaeologists who led the research projects
Editors: Arvi Haak, Ulla Kadakas
Language Editor: Hille Saluäär
Designer: Jaana Ratas