Pre- and protohistorical collection at the University of Jena

The Pre- and Protohistorical Collection at the University of Jena holds about 45,000 cataloged objects from more than 1,500 European excavation sites. The items range from pottery and stone tools to metal weapons, spanning several prehistoric periods.

The collection was established in 1863 as the Germanic Museum of the University of Jena and grew into one of the major repositories for early European history. It survived both World Wars and continued to expand over time.

The collection displays artifacts from different European regions, showing how early societies were connected through trade and cultural exchange. You can see similar tools and pottery styles that appear across distant areas, revealing shared practices among ancient peoples.

The collection is primarily used by university students and researchers and documents excavations from the Thuringia region as well as across Europe. It is advisable to check ahead of time since the collection is closely linked to academic activities.

Friedrich Klopfleisch conducted more than 150 excavations across about 80 sites in Thuringia, significantly enriching the collection. His investigations at Jenzig mountain and the Leubingen burial mound are especially notable.

Location: Jena

Inception: 1863

Part of: University of Jena

GPS coordinates: 50.92750,11.59070

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:46