From May 6th to 31st, Valga Museum is hosting the travelling exhibition of the Estonian Archaeologists' Association, showcasing the most significant archaeological fieldwork carried out last year.

In 2025, archaeologists submitted 220 research notifications to the National Heritage Board. Most of the work consisted of smaller or larger rescue excavations, but every year a couple of dozen fieldworks are also carried out to take a closer look at specific research questions. Regardless of the reason for initiating the research, the information gathered during fieldwork is an invaluable source for enhancing our understanding of Estonia's past. The exhibition introduces 26 sites that were studied last year.

Since 2002, archaeologists have been summarizing the primary research results collected throughout the year in the form of an exhibition. For the fourth year, this work has been organized by the Estonian Archaeologists' Association with the support of the Cultural Endowment. The first to see the exhibition were the residents of Tallinn, followed by those on Saaremaa. In May, the exhibition will be on display at Valga Museum, and during the current year, it will almost make a full tour around Estonia. 

At the opening of the exhibition on May 6, Ain Mäesalu gave his presentation anout archeology works in Valga County and specifically at Otepää. He is an archaeologist and historian and has worked as a lecturer at the University of Tartu for over 40 years. He has published over 200 scientific and popular science articles, contributed to several general overviews of Estonian history, and is one of the authors of history textbooks. He has presented the results of his research in public lectures and, for example, has appeared in more than 70 episodes of the Vikerraadio series Eesti lugu (the Story of Estonia). One of his favorite topics is medieval weapons.