THE LAST JOURNEY

The archaeological exhibition takes us on a journey back in time to the Late Bronze Age, more precisely to the Urnfield Culture (1300-800 BC).
The centrepiece is a chariot grave that was discovered in Essenbach (Lower Bavaria) in 2011. At the beginning of the Urnfield period, the custom arose of cremating and burying the rulers at the top of society together with a magnificent four-wheeled chariot. The grave and the artefacts recovered from it show that the "chariot driver", who lived in the 13th century BC, played an important political, economic and religious role and was part of an elite network that extended far beyond Europe.
The exhibition focuses on the Essenbach chariot grave and places it in its cultural-historical context. The tour begins with an introduction to the Central European Urnfield Period and its characteristic burial rituals, which included the cremation of the deceased. The economic and social conditions that were closely linked to the bronze metal urns and led to the emergence of the "chariot driver" elite are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the magnificent four-wheeled chariot, which was pulled by two horses and played an important role in the representation and cult of the Urnfield culture.
High-ranking loans from Germany and abroad illustrate the appearance of the chariots destroyed by the fire of the pyre and explain the conceptual and technical requirements for their creation. The development of the wheel and chariot is also analysed. The location of the Essenbach chariot grave and the grave goods it contained, such as a set of bronze weights, provide clues as to the functions that the deceased performed in politics, business and religion during his lifetime. The final chapter deals with a topic that still concerns us today: the destination of the last journey. Religious symbolism and cult objects, including the gold hat from Ezelsdorf/Buch, make it possible to draw conclusions about the religious beliefs of the Urnfield culture, which centred on the sun.

Last edited on 09.10.2024