Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

At the end of the 18th century, the archaeological museum of Strasbourg came into being thanks to the legacy of Jean-Daniel Schoepflin's antique collections in the city. These objects, originally exhibited in the Dominican Church, were completed by the Society for the Conservation of Historic Monuments of Alsace from 1855. Despite the almost total destruction of the collections during the 1870 bombing, the museum was reborn in 1896 in the basements of the Rohan Palace, under the impulse of Alsatian and German amateurs and academics.

From 1909 to 1939, under the direction of Robert Forrer and his son-in-law F.A. Schaeffer, the museum enjoyed a remarkable growth, constituting a coherent set covering Prehistory in the Middle Ages. After World War II, in 1946, the Society transferred its collections to the city, and Jean-Jacques Hatt, professor and archaeologist, modernized the museum until 1981, giving it a national dimension through his research in protohistory and Gallo-Roman archaeology.

Between 1988 and 1992, the museum was completely renovated to restore its 18th century architectural framework, while highlighting its 1,200 m2 of permanent exhibitions. Organized in four chronological sections (Prehistory, Protohistory, Gallo-Roman Epoch, Merovingian Epoch), the collections illustrate the evolution of Alsatian civilizations, from mammoth hunters to Roman legionaries and Merovingian warriors.

The museum is regularly enriched by the archaeological excavations prescribed by the State, including those carried out by the INRAP or the Rhine Interdepartmental Archaeology Centre. Its temporary exhibitions, such as Strasbourg-Argentorate (2010) and Trésors Mérovingiens d'Alsace (2004), and its scientific publications make it a key player in the dissemination of regional heritage.

Among the notable discoveries are the Roman murals of Castle Square (2012), revealing the way of life of the legionary elites, or the funeral stele of the horseman Comnisca (I century AD), bearing witness to the Roman military presence. The museum works closely with institutions such as the University of Strasbourg or local learned societies to preserve and enhance this heritage.

Today, the archaeological museum of Strasbourg remains a reference place to understand the ancient history of Alsace, combining scientific rigour and accessibility to the general public, in a unique architectural setting in the heart of the city.

External links