Collection of Prehistory

The collection of Prehistory contains significant finds from the beginning of human history. One focus is on objects from the Palaeolithic Age, which were found in caves in the Swabian Alb. Excavations carried out in 1931 under Gustav Riek have yielded several ivory figurines from 40,000-year-old strata, which rank among the oldest figurative works of human art. They provide the earliest evidence of essential human cultural techniques worldwide – for art, music, and religion.

A second focus is on the finds made by Ludwig Kohl-Larsen in the 1930s in the Mumba Cave in what is now Tanzania. Part of these assemblages are also important hominin remains, such as the upper jaw of an Australopithecus afarensis (Garusi) and the world's oldest human remains of a Homo sapiens (Eyasi).

To the collection in the eMuseum (selection)

Highlights of the Collection

Vogelherd horse made out of mammoth ivory, around 40 000 years old
Vogelherd horse made out of mammoth ivory, around 40 000 years old
Mammoth made out of mammoth ivory, around 40 000 years old
Mammoth made out of mammoth ivory, around 40 000 years old
Mammoth ivory jewellery from the Vogelherd cave
Mammoth ivory jewellery from the Vogelherd cave

Visit Museum

Opening hours

Wed to Sun from 10am to 5pm
Thurs from 10am to 7pm

Tours

“Sundays at 3” all year round
Group and school tours by appointment

Curator

Custodian
Dr. Gregor Bader
Tel: 07071-2974993 

Send email
 

Admission

Adults: 5€
Reduced: 3€ (children, pupils, students, pensioners, severely disabled people)
Family ticket: 12€
Students of Tübingen: Free of charge

Address

Collection of the Older Prehistory  | Museum Ancient Cultures
Burgsteige 11 | Hohentübingen Castle
72070 Tübingen