Excavations in the Kernave cultural reservation started in 1979, but so far only 2% of the territory has been explored. However, archaeologists say that they have now found enough historical objects to fill the entire museum. From October 2005 the Archaeological and Historical Museum of Kernavė was closed for the long process of reconstruction of the museum building and the renovated displays were re-opened in May 2012.
Kernave is a very old historical site and the first inhabitants, mostly deer hunters, came here in 11,000 BC. The Kernave settlement existed until 1390 when it was burned to the ground. The history of Kernave is shown at the Kernave Archaeological Site Museum through excavations, archaeological tools, videos and displays on burial customs. Historians have shown how the settlement looked at different times and related it to the most important historical events happening around the world. The display is contained in the exhibition halls and visitors can join in with hunting or medieval battles games or try their hand at various traditional crafts. In 2004 the
Kernave Archaeological Site was entered on the UNESCO world heritage list and since then excavations have been limited in order to avoid any damage to the site, though archaeologists are still exploring the surface with specialised technical equipment.