The Swiss National Museum in Zurich is yet again exhibiting some of the masterpieces from the archaeological collection. Compiled as early as the 19th century, this exceptional collection extends over thousands of years from 100.000 BC to 800 AD, i.e. from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages.

The 400 items on display include one of the first artistic finds from Switzerland, a pierced baton decorated with engravings of wild horses as well as the heaviest gold vessel of its time ever found in western Europe, the Altstetten bowl, and the Erstfeld treasure, a group of necklaces and bracelets that is one of the finest examples of Celtic gold jewellery. The helmet found in Villeneuve probably belonged to a Frankish nobleman.

This is a fascinating documentation of the life and artistic creations of the societies which came before ours, taking us on an extraordinary journey tracing back our ancestors.

A window on modern-day Switzerland

One module of the exhibition investigates modern-day archaeological research in Switzerland. Up until April 2014, it will be possible to view various objects on loan from the Lausanne Cantonal Museum of Archaeology and History which were discovered on the Mormont hill (Eclépens/La Sarraz, VD). This Helvetic site and its ritual practices dating from around 100 BC represents one of the most exceptional discoveries of the last 10 years both at a national and international level.