The Antikenmuseum is integrated as a learning tool in the archaeological study programmes Bachelor ‘Archaeology and History of Ancient Europe’ and Master ‘Archaeology of the Ancient World’ at Leipzig University.

In the original and plaster cast collection, students experience direct contact with the object of research of classical archaeology. In seminars and exercises, they learn directly from original objects such as the shards of Greek vessels and the plaster casts of famous ancient sculptures and apply scientific methods to categorise and interpret them. Within the framework of courses, students prepare exhibitions or guided tours in the Antikenmuseum  together and in this way practise how to didactically prepare and communicate their acquired knowledge in the museum presentation of archaeological objects.

Projects

In the plaster cast collection at Leipzig University, a permanent loan from the Museum of the University of Tübingen is changing the way the rooms are experienced. A section of the Tomba François, an Etruscan burial chamber from Vulci, is now located in the centre of the depot for storing reproductions of ancient statues. Supplemented by thematically related objects from the museum's own collection, the 
the walk-in section is open to the public with a guide.

The exhibition was prepared as part of the course ‘Etruscan funerary art: conception, organisation and realisation of an exhibition’ in the summer semester 2021 with Leipzig students of Classical Archaeology under the direction of Dr Hans-Peter Müller.

The students were able to actively shape the process of planning an exhibition from the initial idea to its practical realisation. They focussed on various topics relating to Etruscan funerary art, the results of which were incorporated into the exhibition texts in revised form. The project illustrates the great value that the teaching and study collection has for students as a learning environment for practical work.

enlarge the image: Students in the special exhibition in the plaster cast collection ‘Experiencing an Etruscan burial chamber - the Tomba Francois as a reproduction’, photo: Marion Wenzel
enlarge the image: The reproduction of the Tomba Francois under construction, photo: Marion Wenzel
enlarge the image: Setting up the exhibition ‘Experience an Etruscan burial chamber - The Francois burial chamber as a reproduction’, photo: Marion Wenzel

Learning in and with a collection - what does that mean? In the summer semester of 2021, participants in the optional exercise ‘Ancient sculpture and its contemplation’ were asked how they learn from casts of ancient sculptures.

During the course, they were given an introduction to the history of ancient sculpture from the Archaic period to the Roman Empire. At the same time, the aim was to practise the precise verbal and written description of ancient sculpture. In this way, the participants acquired an essential methodological prerequisite for the historical categorisation and cultural-historical interpretation of ancient monuments. Finally, the history of the Leipzig plaster cast collection was a central learning content in order to understand the scientific-historical significance of such objects.

During their visits to the collection, the students not only practised seeing and observing precisely through descriptions, but were also asked to take photographs with a disposable camera to reflect what they saw when they were intensively studying the objects.

During their visits to the collection, the students not only practised seeing and observing precisely through descriptions, but were also asked to take photographs with a disposable camera to reflect what they saw when they were intensively engaged with the objects.

The exercise resulted in a booklet entitled ‘More than just plaster’, which focuses on the importance of casts as indispensable illustrative material for archaeological teaching. Seven student texts on selected objects from the plaster cast collection of the Museum of Antiquities at Leipzig University and an introductory group text illustrate how the students learn from the casts.

enlarge the image: Deckblatt zum studentischen Projekt "Mehr als nur Gips" mit schwarz-weiß Fotografien aus der Leipziger Gipsabguss-Sammlung
Deckblatt zum studentischen Projekt "Mehr als nur Gips", Bild: Sarah Al Jarad

The inclusive offer was developed jointly by students of art education and archaeology of the ancient world in a course in 2019.

Under the motto ‘Close enough to touch’, the Museum of Antiquities enables blind and visually impaired people to explore Greco-Roman antiquity without barriers. Visitors to the permanent exhibition will find multi-sensory media such as tactile images and scent stations, objects to touch, audio collages and an audio sample from Homer's Iliad in ancient Greek, which allow them to experience the life of the Greeks and Romans on various levels.

 

TO THE INCLUSIVE OFFER
We apologize, as the website for that offer is only available in german.

enlarge the image: Project group setting up the inclusive exhibition ‘Within your grasp’, photo: Antikenmuseum Leipzig
Project group setting up the inclusive exhibition ‘Within your grasp’, photo: Antikenmuseum Leipzig

The Antikenmuseum as a teaching collection

enlarge the image: Seminar group in the plaster cast collection in front of the Relief of the Arch of Titus, photo: Antikenmuseum Leipzig
enlarge the image: Students in the plaster cast collection, photo: Marion Wenzel
enlarge the image: Seminar group in the depot of the Antiknenmuseum, photo: Antikenmuseum Leipzig
enlarge the image: Seminar group in the Antikenmuseum, Photo: Antikenmuseum Leipzig
enlarge the image: Guided tour trough the Antikenmuseum, photo: Marion Wenzel