Lectures

5 June 2025, 6 p.m.
Our African origins: How climate change, adaptation and migration have made us what we are today
Prof. Dr Katerina Harvati, Professor of Palaeoanthropology and Director of the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen

Africa played a central role in the evolutionary history of humans. Not only did the first few million years of early human evolution take place on this continent, it is also the cradle of our own species, Homo sapiens. This lecture will provide an overview of our African roots and show how they continue to shape us today.

12 June 2025, 6 p.m.
Saba's heritage - the Ethiopian highlands 3000 years ago
Dr Iris Gerlach, Head of the Sanaa branch of the DAI's Orient Department

3000 years ago, the Ethiopian highlands were in close cultural contact with the Kingdom of Saba in present-day Yemen. Sabaeans crossed the Red Sea, settled in the fertile Ethiopian valleys and traded in incense and gold. They not only brought their own script, language and gods with them, but also introduced technical innovations such as metallurgy. Multi-storey palaces and monumental temples bear witness to the success of this new society.

18 September 2025, 6 p.m.
The Secret of the Nok Culture in Nigeria - Early Art in Africa
Dr Gabriele Franke, Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt

In the first millennium BC, elaborate clay figures were created in central Nigeria, which were discovered by chance in the 1940s. They are the oldest large-scale sculptures in sub-Saharan Africa. From 2005 to 2020, Goethe University Frankfurt researched the traces of the culture known as "Nok" and gained new insights into the way of life of these early farmers. The mystery of the clay figurines has also been solved. The lecture will focus on key aspects of the research.

Information about the lectures: Free admission, no registration required, limited places on site.

Guided tours

Guided tours with our guide pool
One-hour guided tour of the special exhibition for groups of eight or more (up to 20) people, bookable on request at: buchung@archaeologie.bayern (also available in English!); costs: weekdays Euro 85 (German) or 95 (foreign language), weekends/public holidays Euro 95 or 105 plus admission.

One-to-one talks
One guest, one guide. Experienced cultural mediators invite you to an extraordinary dialogue in the special exhibition. Bookable dates: 24 May / 14 June / 5 July / 2 August / 13 September, each at 2 pm. Registration at least one week in advance via: buchung@archaeologie.bayern; costs: 85 euros plus admission, to be paid directly on site (cancellation at least two working days in advance!), keyword "1:1". Meeting point: foyer.

Sunday tours for individual guests with the Münchner Volkshochschule (MVHS)
from 18 May, at 2 p.m.
Overview tour of the permanent exhibition with additional insight into the special exhibition, bookable via: www.mvhs.de (MVHS im Museum). Meeting point: foyer.

Including guided tours in simple language (with the MPZ)
The special exhibition is explained in simple language. The offer is suitable for adults, young people and children (only when accompanied by adults); maximum ten people. Dates on 4 July and 19 September, both at 3 pm. Can also be booked for groups on other dates on request. Meeting point: Foyer.
Bookable at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

Exhibition guide for children and families
A free guide to the exhibition for children and families is available in German and English in the exhibition. 

 

Workshops

25 May 2025, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bow making course (from 14 years)
Dr Robert Graf, archaeologist and archaeotechnician, Archando

Hunting with bow and arrow was of fundamental importance to most African cultures in every era. The great art of bow making consisted of producing powerful bows under the simplest conditions and with minimal use of tools. Following this tradition is particularly fascinating. On the day of the course, a wooden bow with string and a traditional arrow will be made under supervision. Along the way, the workshop leader will also provide theoretical insights into this ancient art. Registration by 22 May via: buchung@archaeologie.bayern (max. 10 places), cost: Euro 72. Meeting point: museum workshop.

8 June, 6 July and 28 September, 2-4 p.m.
Upcycling - Family Sundays with the Museum Education Centre (MPZ), ages 5 and up

The family Sundays offer the opportunity to tour the special exhibition. In the museum workshop, the focus is on "upcycling". Milk and juice cartons are turned into wallets, yoghurt pots are transformed into small games, disused containers are turned into musical instruments that can be assembled into a small orchestra if desired. New ideas are developed together and realised in the museum workshop. Please bring along rinsed milk and juice cartons, plastic bottles, detergent canisters, washing-up liquid bottles, yoghurt pots and lots of ideas.

For families with children from 5 to 12 years; duration: 60 minutes guided tour plus 120 minutes workshop; material costs Euro 3,- to 5,-. Meeting point: museum workshop. Bookable under: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

28 June 2025, 14.30-16.30 hrs
Taster dance workshop Afrofusion - a danced museum experience

African dance meets European dance art, traditional movements and dances from western Africa meet exercises for greater body awareness and diversity of movement. If you enjoy movement and other cultures, this taster workshop with ethnologist Daniela Stenger is for you. She has been teaching African dance for several decades and has developed her very own style. There is no age limit, just turn up. Meeting point: Forum Museum (ground floor). Please bring along: Comfortable clothing. Dance barefoot or in socks; trainers: only with light-coloured soles! No registration necessary, limited places on site. Cost: Euro 4,-.

13 July 2025, 10 am - 1 pm
In the footsteps of our ancestors, with the MVHS (from 5 years, with accompanying adult)

In the exhibition, young visitors learn about the routes that travelling groups took in the Stone Age to explore unknown areas. What a spirit of discovery! But what drove them? State-of-the-art research methods show that there are widespread family ties to us and that we have these people to thank for the fact that Homo sapiens was able to gain a foothold all over the world. Delicious "travelling provisions" and a small bag with necessary "travelling tools" made of flint are created in the workshop. Meeting point: museum workshop.
Details and booking via: www.mvhs.de

3 August 2025, 3-5 pm
Drum taster workshop with Cheikh Bangoura (from 10 years)

Summertime is music time. What could be more fitting than making music yourself as part of the current Africa exhibition? If you want to try out traditional West African beats, the djembe, a kind of cup drum, is just the thing for you. Fun and enjoyment guaranteed! Cheikh Bangoura, a dancer and drummer from Senegal, has been teaching rhythms from West Africa for over 20 years. He passes on his knowledge in Europe with a lot of experience, patience and joy and is looking forward to the taster workshop. Max. 12 participants, registration at: buchung@archaeologie.bayern; cost: Euro 7,-.

7 September 2025, 3 p.m.
Storyteller Katharina Ritter as a guest at the Archaeological State Collection
Myths and stories from Africa

Listening to a story, perhaps an ancient fairy tale, makes it much easier to immerse yourself in the time when the first people wandered through the vast expanses of Africa hunting and gathering. Katharina Ritter tells exciting myths and stories about the peoples of Africa. She has dug into collections of African fairy tales and myths for her audience. Together with her, guests can travel back in time, solve strange riddles and then wander briefly through the special exhibition. Katharina Ritter tells interactive and exciting stories - for the whole family with children aged 6 and over. Please bring your curiosity and ears!
No registration required, limited places on site; duration: approx. 1 hour; costs: 7 euros for adults, 3 euros for children plus admission. Venue: Forum Museum (ground floor).

21 September 2025, 10 am - 5 pm
Making arrowhead amulets (from 9 years)
Dr Robert Graf, archaeologist and archaeotechnician, Archando

Arrowheads for bowhunting were of fundamental importance in most African cultures in every era. Today, thousands of them can be found in archaeological excavations in some places. These projectiles, often made of flint, are not only "dangerously" sharp, but also beautiful from an aesthetic point of view when worn as an amulet. In a relatively short time, guests in the workshop will make arrowheads from flint under supervision, which can later be worn as a pendant on a ribbon. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Duration: approx. 30 minutes, participation is possible at any time during the specified period. Meeting point: museum workshop. No registration necessary, open programme, limited places on site, there may be short waiting times; costs: Euro 7.

Offers for teachers & school classes with the Museum Education Centre (MPZ)

School class offers (suitable for GS from grade 3, MS, RS, GYM, BS)
Guided tour with workshop (120 minutes)
The exhibition project "Planet Africa" focuses on archaeology and thus the history of the continent of Africa. The fact that the exhibition is shown both in Germany and in Africa means that constant dialogue and current discourse are at the forefront.

The tour through the special exhibition provides an insight into the art, crafts, technology and environment of Africa. History thus comes alive and becomes tangible. Costs: Euro 100,- plus material fee. Bookable on request at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm)
or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

Teacher training
In combination with the new permanent exhibition, the special exhibition is the ideal complement. Various topics are discussed, focussing on the development of mankind. The training programme includes a 120-minute guided tour with an insight into the practical activities on offer. Costs: none. Bookable on request at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

Children's birthday party at the museum! With the Museum Education Centre (MPZ)
Archaeological adventure: Africa - the cradle of mankind?

Guided tour plus "Upcycling" workshop (120 or 150 minutes)
A joint tour of the special exhibition focusses on different topics. Possible examples are: Human development, technologies, the environment or the latest developments in Africa. What influences have there been on our world today? What effects are currently being felt?
Costs: from Euro 130,- plus material costs Euro 5,-. Bookable on request at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

Complete programme