Sammlung Ur- und Frühgeschichte der Universität Leipzig
University teaching and study collection with archaeological finds from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages, accessible by appointment with a guided tour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The collection was established in 1934 with the founding of the Seminar for Prehistory at Leipzig University under Kurt Tackenberg. It was built on pieces from the private collections of Leipzig citizens that had come to the university, and grew through purchases, donations and replicas. In 1936, parts of the collection of the geologist Johannes Felix were added.
The air raids on Leipzig in December 1943 also struck the collection rooms; important holdings had been moved out beforehand, but the inventory lists burned. After 1950 the collection was again used for teaching; for a time it was stored, packed, in the Krochhochhaus and was inaccessible. Since the chair was re-established in 1993, the holdings have been catalogued anew; since 1999 the chair has been based at Ritterstraße 14.
Today, according to the university, the collection comprises more than 10,000 items, from Paleolithic handaxes, including those from the namesake site of St. Acheul, to medieval stove tiles. Originals and plaster casts show the Neolithic cultures of Central Germany; in addition, there are urns and grave goods from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as finds from non-European sites. The collection is used in drawing and identification exercises in teaching.
Highlights
- Handaxes from St. Acheul and other famous sites
- Neolithic cultures of Central Germany in originals and plaster casts
- Urns and grave goods from the Bronze and Iron Ages
- Digital offerings and online collection catalog
Permanent exhibition
- Lehr- und Studiensammlung Ur- und Frühgeschichte – Archaeological finds from the Paleolithic to medieval stove tiles, viewable on a guided tour after registration.
- Founded
- 1934
- Operated by
- Universität Leipzig, Professur für Ur- und Frühgeschichte
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Augustusplatz
Tram lines 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 to Augustusplatz; S-Bahn lines S1 to S5 to Markt; the city center is within walking distance.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits only by appointment, with an individual guided tour. Online there is a digital collection catalog as well as playful offerings (object memory game, matching finds to objects). |
