Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Sammlung der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
University collection with more than 300,000 finds from 2.5 million years of human history, in the basement of the Philosophical Seminar building; visits by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The collection was founded in 1914 as the “Anthropologisch-Prähistorische Sammlung” (Anthropological-Prehistoric Collection) at the initiative of the anatomist Leo Gerlach and the clergyman Rudolf Herold, who brought together smaller institute holdings and private collections. Gerlach donated money for acquisitions to the university, along with his extensive own collection, so that from the start it counted among Germany's largest prehistoric university collections.
Initially it was housed in the anatomy building on Krankenhausstraße. From 1933 it had its own curator; in 1938 a seminar was created, and in 1941 the Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte (Institute of Prehistory and Early History), to which the collection was assigned. In 1957 it moved with the institute to Kochstraße and has since occupied rooms in the basement of the Philosophical Seminar building.
Today it comprises more than 300,000 items from around the world, from the beginnings of humankind to the early modern period. Its focuses are the Paleolithic in France and Franconia, Neolithic lakeshore settlements, Bronze and Iron Age graves, Roman finds from the Mainz area, an ethnographic collection from Central and South America, and Old Anatolian bronzes. The collection serves mainly teaching; since 2008 it has had no curator of its own, and visits and tours are organized by institute staff.
Highlights
- More than 300,000 finds from 2.5 million years of human history
- Paleolithic finds from France and Franconia
- Finds from Neolithic lakeshore settlements
- Roman finds from the Mainz area
- Old Anatolian bronzes and an ethnographic collection from Central and South America
Permanent exhibition
- Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Sammlung – Display cases with finds from the Paleolithic to the early modern period, including finds from Franconia and France, lakeshore settlements, grave goods, Roman finds and Old Anatolian bronzes.
- Founded
- 1914
- Operated by
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The collection is in the basement of the Philosophical Seminar building.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The collection is in the Philosophical Seminar building of the Institute of Prehistory and Early History, Kochstraße 4, Erlangen.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Public tours take place several times a year, for example on International Museum Day in May, twice a year as part of the Collegium Alexandrinum, and during the Long Night of the Sciences. Groups of 10 or more can arrange tours after registration. A 360° tour is available online. |
