Pioneers of archaeology

The exhibition "Ein gut Theil Eigenheit. Lebenswege früher Archäologinnen" traces the lives and research achievements of nine female archaeologists who were among the pioneers of the discipline in Germany. The travelling exhibition of the AktArcha project of the Institute of History at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich is complemented by exhibits from the Prehistory and Early History Collection and the University Archives of the University of Jena as well as the Thuringian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology.

From 26 November to 21 February 2025, the exhibition will be on display in the Exhibition Cabinet (Room 25 in the University Main Building). The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, except from 21 December to 5 January. Admission is free.

Numerous breaks in the biographies of the researchers

The exhibition traces the lives of Sibylle Mertens-Schaaffhausen, Ida von Boxberg, Johanna Mestorf, Julie Schlemm, Margarete Bieber, Gertrud Dorka, Liebetraut Rothert, Waldtraut Schrickel and Sigrid Dušek. Together, the Collections Coordinator at the University of Jena, PD Dr Tobias Mühlenbruch, Dr Enrico Paust and conservator Ivonne Przemuß have brought the special exhibition to Jena: "Of the nine archaeologists, Waldtraut Schrickel and Sigrid Dušek are particularly important to us, as they worked in Thuringia. Both were extremely deserving archaeologists," says Tobias Mühlenbruch.

Enrico Paust, curator of the Prehistory and Early History Collection, adds: "Waldtraut Schrickel was also the first woman in the GDR to gain a postdoctoral qualification in prehistory and early history." She worked as a district soil monument conservator and did not return from a business trip to West Germany in 1958. Her colleague Sigrid Dušek was a state archaeologist in Thuringia from 1994. She introduced computerised work in the field in 1987, which is now an established working method.

"Many of the biographies of these researchers show breaks," says Tobias Mühlenbruch. Waldtraud Schrickel, for example, found it extremely difficult to gain a foothold in Germany despite her considerable academic expertise. Other women were overshadowed by their husbands, even though they themselves took part in excavations, categorised and inventoried finds, established new methods and wrote scientific works. What they all have in common is that their names are hardly known to the public, says Enrico Paust. The curators of the exhibition, apl. Prof. Dr Elsbeth Bösl and PD Dr Doris Gutsmiedl-Schümann, want to change that.

Public lecture

There will be a public lecture on Monday, 13 January 2025 at the Lecture Hall 24 in the main building at 6.15 pm. Dr Katja Winger will talk about Sophia Schliemann - between archaeologist and "Frau von".