Sustainability is often understood as a contemporary pursuit; however, the archaeology exhibition “Reusable” invites visitors to view it as an everyday reality of prehistoric communities. In a world of limited resources, repairing objects, reusing them, and adapting them to new purposes was not a matter of choice but a necessity.

The archaeological finds presented in the exhibition reveal the many ways in which people extended the “lives” of objects – from carefully repaired ornaments and tools to items that acquired entirely new functions. Traces of repair point not only to practical solutions, but also to emotional attachment and to the value objects held for both individuals and communities. At times, artefacts were reworked or repaired even when they were no longer suitable for everyday use – for example, in preparation for burial rites.

By adopting a long-term perspective, the exhibition situates sustainability within the deep history of human experience. It reminds us that creative adaptation, responsible use of resources, and respect for material objects formed an integral part of life long before modern debates about consumption emerged. Here, archaeological artefacts function not only as evidence of the past, but also as prompts to reconsider our own relationships with objects, the environment, and culture.

The exhibition at the Old Arsenal opens on 21 January 2026 at 6 PM and will run until 8 November 2026.

Photos by Silvestras Samsonas, National Museum of Lithuania

Partners: Joniškis Museum of History and Culture; Lithuanian Archaeological Society; The Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences; Ventspils Museum (Latvia)

Curators: Dr Šarūnė Valotkienė, Dr Lijana Muradian
Consultant: Evaldas Babenskas
Architects: Gediminas Akstinas, Povilas Vincentas Jankūnas
Coordinators: Dominyka Verikaitė, Dominyka Murauskytė
Graphic Designer: Jurga Karosaitė
Artist: Edita Prelgauskienė
Photographer: Gediminas Trečiokas
3D Visuals: Vytautas Valinskas
Video Production: Algis Kuzmickas
Communications Coordinator: Živilė Stadalytė
Conservator: Marija Kavaliauskaitė
Educational Programme Coordinator: Virginija Rimkutė
Editor: Nijolė Deveikienė
Translator: Darius Sužiedėlis

With thanks to: Dovilė Baltramiejūnaitė, Povilas Blaževičius, Matas Bodrijė, Ieva Cicėnaitė, Lukas Gaižauskas, Marytė Glemžienė, Gytis Grižas, Rūta Lakytė, Sigita Mikšaitė, Dalia Ostrauskienė, Živilė Paipulaitė, Gediminas Petrauskas, Valdas Steponaitis, Aušra Šmaižytė, Vykintas Vaitkevičius, Eglė Zaveckienė, Saulius Žegunis