When does the visit take place?

The exhibition is open on November 7, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Where is the exhibition located?

The exhibition will be presented at the Museum of World Cultures D5, 8 in 68159 Mannheim.

How much does admission cost?

The regular admission for adults is 9 Euros. Further discounts and family rates may apply at the museum's ticket office.

Are there guided tours and workshops?

Yes, the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums offer guided tours, workshops, and educational programs for school classes, daycares, families, and groups.

Is the exhibition accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the exhibition includes tactile stations with Braille and profile text, videos in sign language, a guide text in easy language, as well as a guide system for the visually impaired.

How long does a visit last?

There is no fixed duration for the visit. A duration of 60 minutes is indicated for guided tours through the exhibition.

Sunken History: Experience Archaeology and Rediscover 6,000 Years of Culture

Name: Sunken History – Archaeology on the Rhine and Neckar
Start: 2026-11-07T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-07T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Museum Weltkulturen D5

Sunken History: A Journey Through 6,000 Years of Archaeology

The Reiss-Engelhorn Museums invite you to an impressive journey from the Stone Age to the early Middle Ages at the Museum of World Cultures. The exhibition Sunken History: Archaeology on the Rhine and Neckar combines extraordinary original finds, elaborate presentations, and interactive stations into a vivid artistic experience between research, everyday history, and cultural education.

HumanTime: The Rise of Early Humans

The tour begins with the world of early humans. Evolution, ice ages, Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens become vividly tangible through archaeological finds. Special attention is given to perhaps the oldest bow in the world. The examination of artifacts opens perspectives on materials, craftsmanship, and survival strategies of past societies.

Innovation Metal: Technology Changes Society

The focus of the Innovation Metal section is on the development of metalworking. Copper, bronze, and iron transformed tools, weapons, jewelry, and social structures over millennia. The exhibition highlights how technological innovations triggered cultural upheavals and shaped the living environment along the Rhine and Neckar.

A Touch of Rome: Antiquity on the Rhine and Neckar

Tombstones, stelae, and evidence of Roman life lead into the province of the Roman Empire. The staged Roman road conveys spatial impact and historical atmosphere, while the exhibits tell stories of mobility, trade, religion, and daily life. Archaeology appears here as a precise investigation that develops a multi-faceted picture of the past from fragments.

Wild Peoples: The Early Middle Ages

Exotic trade goods and archaeological finds tell of the Franks and the mobile societies of the early Middle Ages. This section of the exhibition shows how strongly the region was still shaped by Roman heritage. Aesthetic experience and historical analysis merge into a narrative that makes visible cultural continuities as well as change and conflict.

Touch Archaeology

Eleven tactile stations invite you to explore the fur of Stone Age animals, a Roman stone with depictions of gods, the uniform of a Roman legionary, or medieval women's fashion. Braille and profile text, videos in sign language with audio versions and subtitles, as well as a guided text in easy language broaden access. The museum app offers additional tours in audio description, sign language, and easy language.

Cultural Education for Families, School Classes, and Groups

Tours, workshops, and digital offerings deepen the exhibition topics. School classes and daycare groups can book a 60-minute tour or a guided tour with a workshop, creating immediate access to the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Roman antiquity, and early Middle Ages. The exhibition is therefore suitable for families, educational groups, and anyone wishing to discover archaeology as a vibrant science.

Conclusion: The Past Becomes Present

In Sunken History, visitors encounter not only precious original finds but also the questions behind each object: How did people live? What innovations changed their world? What traces did they leave along the Rhine and Neckar? The exhibition combines scientific expertise with sensory exhibition atmosphere and makes history directly experienceable. A visit to the Museum of World Cultures enriches cultural education and creates a sustainable aesthetic experience.