“Essentially, this brings together all our accumulated knowledge – from the first excavations to the most recent discoveries. Visitors walk the same path once taken by the Bronze Age community, and by stopping at the finds, they immerse themselves in their daily lives,” says KU BRIAI archaeologist Dr. Miglė Urbonaitė-Ubė, who leads the research
From Bronze Smelting to Fishing and Amber
The stands are arranged according to the archaeological site’s logic – from the settlement’s outskirts to the top of the hillfort. The route begins with a large information board featuring a reconstruction of the settlement and a story about the daily life of the coastal community and the Amber Road. Visitors are then introduced to the stories of individual finds.
The first exhibits presented are objects related to metalworking – a crucible used for bronze smelting. This is followed by traces of fishing: a seal bone, a pine-bark float, and net sinkers. Also on display are ceramic vessels and pot fragments, evidence of food preparation and consumption. Visitors can learn about the types of fish and game they caught, what they cultivated, and the drinks they may have enjoyed.
A separate section is dedicated to raw materials provided by the coast – amber, flint, and clay plaster, which reveal details of building construction. “Each find is a small story about the community’s life. Step by step, visitors get to know it more closely,” notes Dr. Urbonaitė-Ubė.
The stands are installed in areas that have already been excavated, ensuring that the archaeological layer remains undisturbed. The creative concept was brought to life through the efforts of a large team – KU archaeologist Dr. Miglė Urbonaitė-Ubė, tourism and recreation experts Dr. Arvydas Urbys and Dr. Jurgita Raišutienė, the Klaipėda District Tourism Information Center, Klaipėda District Municipality Administration, the Karklė community, and the “Altitudė” architecture studio (architects Aurimas Baužys and Gerda Antanaitytė). Ceramic artist and Klaipėda City Culture Laureate Isroildžon Baroti contributed by recreating a Bronze Age crucible and ceramic cup. The exhibition is part of the “Karklė Atlas” project, aimed at preserving the history, natural environment, and cultural heritage of the Karklė area through a synthesis of community needs and expert recommendations.
Kukuliškiai Settlement – A Unique Bronze Age Coastal Heritage Site
The Kukuliškiai settlement and hillfort is a 2-hectare archaeological complex studied by KU researchers since 2017. Excavations have revealed many details about the maritime community’s fishing, hunting, animal husbandry, food preparation, and crafts. One of the most significant discoveries is evidence that, in the Late Bronze Age (800–400 BC), amber was worked here, with the craft linked to the Amber Road.
According to the researchers, this data demonstrates the uninterrupted connection of coastal communities with the sea and trade networks since ancient times. “These are the results of continuous research. In Lithuania, only a few such studies are carried out each year, which allows us to deepen our knowledge consistently – and now we are presenting it in a way that is accessible to everyone,” emphasizes Dr. Urbonaitė-Ubė.
