Pelling-Zarnitz Collection

The Tübingen couple Claus Pelling and Marie Luise Zarnitz collected art and cultural objects from various regions of the world over many decades. They also gathered objects from ancient American cultures, with a certain focus on the Maya culture. Partly as a donation and partly as a legacy, a group of objects from the private collection was given to the University of Tübingen in 2024, providing an outstanding and independent addition to the already existing Ethnological Collection.

Highlights of the Collection

Headdress made of strips of sheet gold laid out in a casket
Photo: MUT | Valentin Marquardt
Headdress set, Paracas culture(?), 380 to 260 BCE
Cocoa mug in pseudo Codex Style, Maya, 5th to 7th Century CE
A ceramic mug tapering slightly towards the bottom with a white and red intertwined motif and terracotta-coloured bands at the top and bottom
Photo: MUT | Valentin Marquardt
Light grey, compact attachment for a club in the shape of an owl's face against a black background
Photo: MUT | Valentin Marquardt
Owl-shaped club head, Chavín culture(?), 800 to 200 BCE

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

Prof. Dr. Ernst Seidl
Tel: 07071-2974134

Admission

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

Address

Museum Ancient Cultures
Burgsteige 11 | Hohentübingen Castle
72070 Tübingen