The Museum of Cultural History Magdeburg is now home to one of the most important archaeological collections in Saxony-Anhalt, with over 150,000 objects. From prehistoric hand axes to individually crafted walking sticks from the late Middle Ages, the artefacts span 200,000 years of human and civilisational history.
As early as the mid-19th century, the core area of the prehistoric and early historical collection was developed in Magdeburg through private initiatives, and these were displayed in the Museum of Natural and Local History at Domplatz 5. For teaching and comparative purposes, the collection was supplemented by purchases and donations of objects from all over Europe. The classical archaeological collections of ancient Greek vases, Roman art, plaster casts, ancient sculptures, jewellery and glass and clay artefacts, which were exhibited in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, also deserve a special mention. Both collections were severely damaged during the Second World War. After the war, they were brought together in the Museum of Cultural History.
By 1990, the rescued collection had expanded considerably again, as all the finds from the Magdeburg city centre excavations and the surrounding districts were brought to the Museum of Cultural History. In 1972, the prehistoric and early historical finds from the District Museum of Local History in Burg were added. The collection focuses on the Late Neolithic period with its diverse material culture, the Middle and Late Bronze Age with its exceptionally well-preserved finds from the gravel pits, the Iron Age with its large cemeteries comprising over 300 burials, and medieval Magdeburg.
The prehistoric and early historic department is closed due to renovation work.
You can find selected objects at Museum digital.
