Collection

Tradition since 1863

Collection

Image: I. Przemuß

The Prehistory and Early History Collection was founded in 1863 by the art historian Friedrich Klopfleisch as the Germanic Museum of the University of Jena.

In addition to Klopfleisch's private collection, the founding holdings included the so-called "Praehistorica" collection of the Grand Ducal Library in Weimar, which dates back to the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Christian August Vulpius.
Today, with over 1,000,000 individual objects in more than 50,000 inventory groups, the collection is one of the largest university collections on Prehistory and Early History Archaeology in the whole of Europe: The objects come from all prehistoric and protohistoric cultural groups and all regions of the world, with a focus on Central Germany with finds from over 1,000 different sites.

In many cases, objects from the collection were the basis for the first description of archaeological cultures or time periods (e.g. for the Linear Pottery, the Corded Ware, the Dreitzsch Group or the Großromstedt Horizon). The collection also harbours a rich selection of find complexes of supra-regional importance for research (e.g. Ölknitz, Borsch, Ostheim, Dienstedt, etc.).

The collection thus provides an excellent basis for teaching, research and exhibitions.

Locations of the objects in the collection within Europe (In: The Prehistory and Early History Collection at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (UFG) chair in teaching, research and exhibitions. Jenaer Schriften zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte, vol. 9 (Jena, Langenweissbach 2020) fig. 18.)
Map: Peter Ettel

Literature

Peter Ettel, 150 Jahre Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Sammlung der Universität Jena. Jenaer Archäologische Forschungen, Issue 3 (Jena 2017).

Peter Ettel, Die Sammlung Ur- und Frühgeschichte am Lehrstuhl UFG der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena in Lehre, Forschung und Ausstellungen. Jenaer Schriften zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte, vol. 9 (Jena, Langenweissbach 2020).

Impressions of the collection

View of the teaching and study collection within the seminar room
Image: K. Lucklum
Situla from Großromstedt, Weimarer Land district
Image: I. Przemuß
Boar vessel from Greußen, Kyffhäuserkreis
Image: I. Przemuß
Grave inventory from Dienstedt, Ilmkreis
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Strap fitting with almandines from Oberweimar, city of Weimar
Image: I. Przemuß
Vessels with wavy band decoration from Johannisberg near Jena, city of Jena
Image: Seminar für Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie
Jug with painted horn decoration from the Collegium Jenense in Jena, City of Jena
Image: I. Przemuß
Overview of collection holdings during a relocation
Image: I. Przemuß
Hand axe from La Moustier, France
Image: I. Przemuß
Linear pottery bottle from Zottelstedt, Weimarer Land district
Image: I. Przemuß
Block recovery of a corded ware burial from Hirschroda, Saale-Holzland district
Image: I. Przemuß
Hoard find from Münchenroda, city of Jena
Image: I. Przemuß