26th International Experimental Archaeology Festival starts in Kernavé, Lithuania

Kernavé, one of the important centers of Lithuania's historical and cultural heritage, is preparing to host archeology enthusiasts and history buffs this weekend. This organization, held in the streets smelling of history in the city and providing great added value to the region's tourism, aims to open the mysterious doors of the past. Supported by local authorities and the Ministry of Culture, the event is also considered one of the most important cultural displays of the year for keeping the country's historical consciousness alive.

Held for the twenty-sixth time this year and known as "Gyvosios archeologijos dienos Kernavėje" (Living Archeology Days in Kernavé), the festival stands out as one of the most prestigious meetings in the field of experimental archeology. The main aim of the festival is not only to exhibit artifacts but also to show participants how they were produced and used through practical application. In this context, studies covering a wide period of time from prehistoric times to the middle ages offer visitors a unique time travel experience.

To briefly explain what experimental archeology is for those who do not know; scientists and enthusiasts use techniques and materials belonging to that period to recreate the living conditions of ancient times. Kernavé, which has a past of thousands of years, has the distinction of being Lithuania's first capital and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The holding of the festival in this historical place offers participants a much more realistic and impressive atmosphere in both geographical and historical terms.

Kernavé is a historical site referred to as Lithuania's "Troya", known for its famous medieval mound settlements (piliakalniai) and complex defense systems. Within the scope of the festival, visitors have the chance to live in a historical camp set up on the top of a mound dating back to the Iron Age. Here, professional archaeologists and history buffs, wearing the clothes of those periods, exhibit daily activities such as metal casting, pottery making, handicrafts and cooking with old-fashioned methods.

In the festival program, not only local Lithuanians but also many archeology teams and history designers from different European countries take part, giving the festival an international character. Participants can witness many different workshops and shows, from the carving of bones to the application of ancient war techniques. Thus, visitors step out of a static museum environment and into a dynamic and educational environment where they play an active role in history.