Key visual of the "Archaeology Switzerland" exhibition

Archaeology in Switzerland

Exhibition

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Exhibition

Lake dwellers, Celts, Romans, Alamanni: the names are familiar to us all. The exhibition entitled ’Archaeology in Switzerland’ allows visitors to view these people’s archaeological remains and contemplate their accomplishments and value systems. The approximately 1,400 items on display take visitors on a journey through the most important stages in human history. The exhibition also explores the domestication of animals and plants in the area of present-day Switzerland.

The exhibition – which is located in the new wing of the museum – features early figurative representations, masterpieces by the first goldsmiths, hunting tools made of stone, wood and bone, and everyday objects dating back to prehistoric times – all presented in a striking scenographic setting.

Animated projections and interactive research stations make the exhibition come alive and invite both children and adults to embark on a fascinating trip into the past.

Guided tours

Key visual of the "Archaeology Switzerland" exhibition

Archaeology in Switzerland – Treasures from the past

Guided tour for private groups

Thousands of years ago, the territory of modern Switzerland was home to prehistoric pile-dwelling peoples and later Celts, Romans, and Germanic peoples. Their artefacts provide surprising insights. What can objects such as animal bones and gold jewellery tell us about prehistoric life? Tour participants will view selected objects that allow them to engage with the secrets unearthed by archaeology.

Tour: 1 hour

Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm

Registration:  

 2 weeks in advance

Duration:

 

60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request

Group size:

 

max. 25 participants per tour

Languages:

 

English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request.

Cost:


 

 

CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person

Children up to 16 years free.

For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge.

accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk

+41 44 218 66 00 reservationen@nationalmuseum.ch

Schools

Key visual of the "Archaeology Switzerland" exhibition

The guided tours and workshops offered by the National Museum Zurich provide schoolchildren a multifaceted experience of the exhibition. Reservation required. Guided tours of the National Museum Zurich are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.

Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.

Booking:  

at least 2 weeks in advance

Duration:

 

1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement

Group size:

 

max. 25 people

Cost:
 

 

Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge.

accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk

+41 44 218 66 00 reservationen@nationalmuseum.ch

Blog articles

Exhibtion imprint

  • Overall management Andreas Spillmann, Heidi Amrein
  • Project management Luca Tori
  • Curators Luca Tori, Heidi Amrein
  • Scientific collaboration Eva Carlevaro, Jacqueline Perifanakis, Samuel van Willigen
  • Scenography Uwe R. Brückner, Carmen Utz, Tanja Zöllner, Eva-Maria Heinrich : Atelier Brückner, Stuttgart
  • Lighting design Rolf Derrer : Atelier Derrer, Zürich
  • Media planning Matthias De Ponte : medienprojekt P2, Stuttgart
  • Digital exhibits Katrin Jedon, Michael Barth, Anna Britz, Johannes Friedrich, Laurens Braig, Christian Werner, Surya Wöhrle : 2av, Ulm
  • Illustrations Jonas Lauströer, Hamburg
  • Sculpture Switzerland Christoph Blattmacher : Paper Blattmacher, Berlin
  • Advisory committee Heidi Amrein, Ellen Bryner, Markus Leuthard, Andreas Spillmann
  • Project controlling Ellen Bryner
  • Head of legal and contracts Beat Högger, Luigi Razzano
  • Education and mediation Prisca Senn, Stefanie Bittmann, Magdalena Rühl
  • Marketing and advertising Peter Krebs, Carole Neuenschwander
  • Public relations Andrej Abplanalp, Juliette Wyler
  • Technical management Mike Zaugg. Martin Hübscher : extent AG, Hüttwilen
  • Exhibition construction Thomas Ziegler, Ivo Barth : Barth, Innenausbau KG, d. Ivo Barth GmbH Ausstellungsaufbau Montage de l’exposition Installazione della mostra Exhibition installation Bachir Ezzerari, Marc Hägeli, Meret Imholz, Mike Roder, David Schwitter
  • Conservation management Katharina Schmidt-Ott
  • Mounting of exhibits Katharina Schmidt-Ott, Martin Bader, Alexander Dittus, Helena Fuertes, Nikkibarla Calonder, Elisabeth Kleine, Martin Ledergerber, Sarah Longrée, Jürg Mathys, Uldis Makulis, Françoise Michel, Ulrike Rothenhäuser, Peter Wyer. Thomas Fissler, Bertram Haude, Franziska Hülsenberg, Daniel Klawitter : Fissler & Kollegen, Dresden
  • Loans Maya Jucker, Franziska Pfenninger, Angela Zeier, Bernard Schuele
  • Logistics Bernhard Meier, David Pazmino, Christian Affentranger, David Blazquez, Reto Hegetschweiler, Simon d’Hollosy, Werner Ruegg, Marcel Sax
  • Images of exhibits Donat Stuppan
  • Picture library Andrea Kunz, Fabian Müller
  • IT and Web René Vogel, Stefan Hengstler, Daniel Niedermann, Pasquale Pollastro, Michael Ruckstuhl, Danilo Rüttimann
  • Translations Eva Carlevaro, Luca Tori, Samuel van Willigen. Patrizia Frontini-Schwarz, Düsseldorf. Bill Gilonis, Zürich. Sandy Hämmerle, Galway. Isabelle Warin, Zürich.
  • Text editing Heidi Amrein, Erika Hebeisen, Jacqueline Perifanakis, Rebecca Sanders. Toni Rey, Basel
  • Editing and proofreading Eva Carlevaro, Jacqueline Perifanakis, Carmela Petralia, Laurence Neuffer, Rebecca Sanders, Samuel van Willigen
  • Research David Brönnimann, Sabine Deschler-Erb, Marlu Kühn, Elisabeth Marti-Grädel, Jörg Schibler, Angela Schlumbaum, Barbara Stopp, Patricia Vandorpe : Universität Basel, Institut für Prähistorische und Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie
  • Audio Listening points Stefan Zweifel, Zürich

We would like to thank also the following companies for their support
Co Ord Plan GmbH, Lindau. Eicher Werkstätten GmbH & Co. KG, Kernen im Remstal. EWE Elektro AG, Hüttwilen. GP Fiber Optics GmbH, Mörfelden-Walldorf. In Synergie GmbH, Rheinbreitbach. Kaba AG, Wetzikon. Poly-rapid AG, Zürich. Securiton AG, Zollikofen. Stillhart Konzept, Zürich. Unex Dakota AG, Zürich

Items generously loaned by

  • Kantonsarchäologie Aargau (AG).
  • Archäologie Baselland (BL).
  • Römerstadt Augusta Raurica (BL).
  • Archäologische Bodenforschung des Kantons Basel-Stadt (BS).
  • Archäologischer Dienst des Kantons Bern (BE).
  • Bernisches Historisches Museum (BE)
  • Service archéologique de l’Etat de Fribourg (FR).
  • Archäologischer Dienst Graubünden (GR).
  • Kantonsarchäologie Luzern (LU).
  • Kantonsarchäologie Schaffhausen (SH).
  • Amt für Archäologie Thurgau (TG).
  • Ufficio dei Beni Culturali (TI).
  • Amt für Raumentwicklung, Abteilung Natur- und Heimatschutz (UR).
  • Musées cantonaux du Valais (VS).
  • Aventicum, Site et Musée Romains Avenches (VD).
  • Musée cantonal d’archéologie et d’histoire Lausanne (VD).
  • Baudirektion des Kantons Zürich, Kantonsarchäologie (ZH).
  • Eidgenössische Technische Schule, Institut für Geochemie und Petrologie, Erdwissenschaftliche Sammlungen (ZH).
  • Ortsmuseum Dietikon (ZH).
  • Universität Zürich, Zoologisches Institut (ZH).
  • Zentralbibliothek (ZH).