19 November 2023 - 26 May 2024
Entdecken Sie in unserer faszinierenden neuen Ausstellung die Kunst und Kultur der Iberer, einer vergessenen Zivilisation, die zwischen dem 6. und 1. Jahrhundert v. Chr. im Osten der Iberischen Halbinsel lebten. Mehr als 260 Exponate zeugen von der Vielfalt und Schönheit dieser bedeutenden Völker der europäischen Eisenzeit.
You will be able to immerse yourself in the history of the Iberians, from the origins of their civilisation to its decline and downfall – and you will also embark upon a fascinating journey through time, with original archaeological exhibits, maps, illustrations, mappings and audio-visual presentations.
A cooperation with the renowned Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya, Barcelona.
The exhibition texts and the audio guide are available in English.
An extraordinary heritage
The following selection of exhibits that can be seen in the exhibition come from around 40 archaeological sites in Spain and will be on display in Switzerland for the first time:
STATUETTE OF A PRAYING WOMAN
The Iberians made contact with their deities by dedicating votive figures to them at sacred sites. Numerous male and female statuettes have been found at these sites and serve as important sources of information about the clothing and jewellery worn by the Iberian peoples and the weapons they used.
The female statuette is wearing an Iberian costume with an elaborate headdress and a cloak. Her hands are extended in prayer and disproportionately large, thereby emphasising communication with the divine.
Statuette of a female worshipper from the cave sanctuary of Cueva de la Lobera, Castellar (Jaén), bronze, 4th–2nd century BC
© Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
STORAGE VESSEL WITH BIRD DECORATION
The Iberians were not a single people, but rather a large number of different peoples. Although they had a shared culture and language, large regional differences existed.
This vessel comes from the Iberian people known as the Ilergetes, who lived in the northern region of Spain’s eastern coast. The vessel is richly decorated with ornamentation and depictions of birds and probably once served to store foodstuffs such as dried fruits, nuts or honey.
Iberian vessel (kalathos) from the settlement of Tossal de les Tenalles, Sidamon (Lleida), clay, painted, 3rd century BC
© Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
VESSEL WITH IBERIAN INSCRIPTION
The Iberians had their own language, which was written in three different scripts depending on the region. We are now able to decipher the characters, but the language still remains largely unintelligible.
The inscription on the vessel is religious in nature. It begins with the standard phrase “neitin iunstir”, which is also used as a greeting in other religious inscriptions, similar to “May God be with you”.
Animal-shaped vessel (askos) with Iberian inscription from the settlement of Puig de Sant Andreu, Ullastret (Girona), clay, 5th/4th century BC
© Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
HUMAN SKULL WITH NAIL
Like the Celts, the peoples of north-eastern Iberia also exhibited the severed heads of their vanquished enemies as trophies of war. They used long nails to attach them to the façades of their houses and defensive walls.
This skull belongs to a woman who was between 30 and 40 years old when she died. It was partly skinned, and the bone was carefully prepared to prevent it from breaking when the nail was hammered in.
Human skull with nail from the settlement of Puig Castellar, Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Barcelona), bone, iron, 3rd century BC
© Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
SILVER BOWL FROM A TREASURE FIND
This bowl is part of a hoard of silver treasure that an agricultural worker discovered by chance in the ruins of an Iberian settlement in 1927. The owners had buried their valuable possessions, probably during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), in order to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
The treasure likely belonged to the local sanctuary, as such bowls were used for sacrificial cult practices.
Omphalos bowl with wolf’s head from the settlement of Castellet de Banyoles, Tivissa (Tarragona), silver, partly gold-plated, 250–195 BC
© Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
Statue einer Wölfin mit JungeN
The wolf played an important role in the Iberians’ culture and mythology. The Iberians saw these creatures as the embodiment of strength, courage and wildness and revered them, perhaps even as deities.
This sculpture of a female wolf nursing her young while holding her prey was probably part of a funerary monument. It combines a wolf’s exceptional abilities with a symbol of motherly protection and fertility.
Statue of a female wolf from the necropolis of Cerro de los Molinillos, Baena (Córdoba), limestone, 2nd century BC
© Museo Íbero de Jaén
Audioguide
Enhance your visit to the special exhibition with our free audio guide, which is easy to access on your mobile device: scan the QR code on the map that you received at the ticket desk and simply follow the instructions on your smartphone.
Note: please bring your own device and headphones with you.
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For families and children
Family Sunday
21 April 2024, 11 - 17 h
Mysterious land by the sea
The Iberian peoples once lived in parts of Spain. Get to know their culture and take a short guided tour to find out how the Iberians lived, how they worked metals and buried their dead.
In the workshop, you will paint a pot, weave a bead band and shape a piece of jewellery from wire. With the help of a map, you will find a she-wolf, a glass amulet, a human skull with a nail and much more in the exhibition.
Day admission per family: CHF 15
No registration necessary
Event Highlights
PUBLIC GUIDED TOURS
10.30 a.m.
In English: 3 December 2023, 13 January 2024 and 13 April 2024
Admission: CHF 7 plus entrance fee
Reservation necessary. Please call +41 61 201 12 12
PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS
We are also happy to give you a private tour of the exhibition. For information call +41 61 201 12 12
ENTRANCE FEE
Adults: CHF 18
Groups (10+ people): CHF 16
People under 20 years of age: CHF 5
People in full-time education and under 30 years of age: CHF 5
Children under 13: Free
Holders of the Museums-PASS-Musées and holders of the Swiss Museums Pass: Free
Included in the entrance fee:
Accompanying catalogue
Audio guide in four languages (German, French, English, Spanish)
Fold-out map for families and children: Follow the wolf!
We would like to thank:
In cooperation with:
The exhibition was made possible by:
Partner:
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