Research

The scientific research at the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania covers various academic disciplines. It is implemented in cooperation with national and international educational, scientific and research institutions. Museum researchers organise, systematise and carry out cultural, artistic, historical, archaeological and other scientific research; prepare permanent and temporary exhibitions; run national and international conferences, seminars and other cultural and educational events; implement other actualisation projects related to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.

 

Scientific research is carried out by the Department of Archaeology and Architecture Research, the Department of Cultural History Research, and the Department of Restoration.

 

The Department of Archeology and Architecture Research focuses on the scientific analysis of archaeological data collected during the long-standing research of the territory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes. When studying archaeological objects, specialists reconstruct the development and settlement of the Palace and Vilnius Lower Castle, the change in everyday life and activities, and the reflections of social, political, and economic changes and events in the archaeological material.

 

The architects of the department analyse and summarise the research material of the previous investigations of the Palace of the Grand Dukes and the entire ensemble of Vilnius castles, preparing the architectural development model of the former buildings in the territory, analysing the artefacts related to the internal and external architecture of the Palace discovered during archaeological research and prepare catalogues of these findings.

 

The Department of Archaeology and Architecture Research also takes care of and digitises the graphic material of archaeological research given to the Museum, documents the process of studies, and compiles an archive of digital images.

 

The Department of Cultural History Research explores the history of the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Lower Castle of Vilnius, the milestones for the development of Lithuanian statehood, the peculiarities of manor culture and the role of rulers and other historical figures.

 

The priority task of the Department of Restoration is the preservation, conservation and restoration of archaeological artefacts found on the territory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes, the preparation of exhibits for storage and display and the creation of suitable conditions for their transportation. The field of preventive conservation includes all historical exhibits belonging to the Museum. The Museum's Restoration Council coordinates and evaluates the work of restorers.

 

 

 The priority task of the conservation specialists is to preserve archaeological finds discovered in the territory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the Museum's collections through a combination of preventive, interventive and analytical techniques. Museum conservation specialists work with various archaeological and historical artefacts of metal, pottery, glass, wood, leather, and easel painting. Their work includes the study, conservation, stabilisation, long-term preservation, and restoration of each type of material. Alongside researchers from other departments, the conservation specialists contribute to our knowledge of each artefact's manufacture, meaning and context.

 

Preventive conservation is an integral part of this work: it includes the preparation of exhibits for storage and display, monitoring preserved artefacts (in cooperation with the custodians of collections), ensuring suitable conditions for their display and preparation for transportation when leaving for exhibitions. The dendrochronology laboratory researches the reconstruction of wooden structures unearthed during the archaeological explorations of the Vilnius Lower Castle and the housing development of the area.