Archäologisches Museum Oldendorf (Luhe)

About the museum

The museum moved in 2005 into the "Schemmes Hus," which the teacher Johann Christoph Schmidt had built in 1750 as a school and residence. The former village school had fallen into serious disrepair. An initiative led by the then mayor Günter Rund, supported by many sponsors and the Samtgemeinde (joint municipality), turned it into a museum, which opened on September 11, 2005, Open Monument Day (Tag des offenen Denkmals). A few weeks earlier the Förderverein (friends' association) was founded; it still staffs the ticket desk with volunteers.

The museum is dedicated to the Oldendorf Totenstatt, a burial ground with megalithic tombs from the Neolithic in the Luhe valley. The exhibition, on about 100 square meters, tells of the immigration of the first farmers around 3700 BC and of their belief in an afterlife. On display are grave goods from the Totenstatt, reconstructions of everyday objects, and two models: a post-built house (Ständerhaus) and a megalithic tomb (Hünengrab).

In the converted upper floor there is a film room, space for changing exhibitions, the "Kulturelle Abende" (cultural evenings), and a small display of finds from the surroundings of Oldendorf and Amelinghausen.

Highlights

• Grave goods from the Oldendorf Totenstatt (Funnel Beaker culture, from about 3700 BC)
• Models of a post-built house and a reconstructed megalithic tomb, with audio explanation
• Film about the Totenstatt and life in prehistoric times
• House from 1750 as former school and residence
• Guided tours of the megalithic tombs on site and an audio guide for the Totenstatt

Permanent exhibitions

• Wohnungen für die Ewigkeit – 5700 Jahre Oldendorfer Totenstatt – The permanent exhibition shows grave finds, everyday reconstructions and models on the immigration of the first farmers and their megalithic tombs in the Luhe valley.
• Funde aus Oldendorf und Amelinghausen – A small exhibition of fossils and finds collected over the years from the fields around the area.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

Costs for tours depend on group size.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Barrier-free access to the building and a barrier-free exhibition (according to the museum association). At the Oldendorf Totenstatt there is a tactile plan and an audio guide designed especially for blind and visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children up to age 9 have free admission; there are offers for kindergartens and primary schools, as well as a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

Address for your navigation device: Amelinghausener Str. 16b, 21385 Oldendorf/Luhe.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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