Versunkene Geschichte. Archäologie an Rhein und Neckar

In this exhibition we present the treasures from our rich archaeological collections. The exhibition “Versunkene Geschichte. Archäologie an Rhein und Neckar” (Sunken History: Archaeology on the Rhine and Neckar) is an invitation to a trip through time from the Stone Age up into the early Middle Ages with extraordinary original finds, elaborate installations, interactive stations and films. The exhibition walkthrough is divided into the sections “MenschenZeit” (HumanTime), “Innovation Metall” (Innovation Metal), “Ein Hauch von Rom” (A Touch of Rome) and “Wilde Völker an Rhein und Neckar” (Wild Peoples on the Rhine and Neckar).

The exhibition part “Human Time: Stories of the Emergence of Early Humankind” presents the Stone Age, the first archaeologically traceable epoch. It invites visitors into a place to discover and learn about the lives and social milieus of hunter – gatherer from the distant past. Highlights are the artefacts of the Homo heidelbergensis from the type locality in Mauer, Upper Palaeolithic art objects from different important sites in France and the possible oldest bow of the world.

Treasures of the Neolithic are textiles and other organic finds from Pile Dwellings of southern Germany and Switzerland as well as early traces of the first farmers in the region of Mannheim.

The collections of the Metal Ages through the Roman era complete the archaeological exhibition. Numerous installations and impressive exhibition objects enable visitors to comprehend the crucial impact that knowledge of metalworking had on the communal life of the peoples in the Rhine-Neckar region throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages.

The Roman era left its traces behind in Mannheim and environs, too. The wall decoration from the Villa of Oftersheim and Mannheim’s famous Roman stones, collected by Elector Carl Theodor in the 18th century, impressively document this history.

The exhibition “Fierce People in the Rhine and Neckar Area” has been transporting visitors back to the early Middle Ages. Over 1000 archaeological finds relate the history of a young, brutal and mobile society that lived here in rural settlements under the rule of the Franks.