Archaeological Research Collection

The archaeological collection held at Tallinn University forms the largest part of the national archaeological collection in Estonia. 1947 is considered to be the foundation year of our research collection, while the oldest parts of collection derive from much earlier periods, even from the year 1838. Consisting of different parts, the research collection has formed as a result of merging collections from various institutions such as the Learned Estonian Society, Estonian Literary Society, Cabinet of Archaeology, University of Tartu, Estonian National Museum, Estonian History Museum and the Institute of History, Estonian Academy of Sciences. Since 2006, the archaeological collection of Tallinn University has been registered in the list of the state assets. The collection is marked by an acronym AI.

Tallinn University’s archaeological collections were formerly housed in storage facilities and specially adapted rooms at 8 and 10 Rüütli Street in Tallinn. In spring 2026, they were transferred to newly completed, purpose-built storage facilities at 4a Ankru Street. 

Until spring 2012, much of the archaeo-osteological collection—the collection of human and animal remains—was kept in rented premises in Keila. When these premises were no longer available, the remains were moved to temporary storage in Pääsküla pending the completion of a new facility. Since autumn 2019, the collection has been housed at 4a Ankru Street in North Tallinn, in a modern facility designed specifically for the preservation and storage of archaeological bone remains.

Archaeological collections support research

The archaeological collections are not only intended for storage, preservation and exhibition, but they are also intensively used for carrying out research. Collections are also open for researchers from outside Tallinn University. Keeping and preserving our cultural heritage assigns collection keepers an additional task: to open and make the collections accessible to both Estonian and foreign researchers, students and interested persons.