Multimedia Information and Visitors’ Centre “Nebra Ark”
The multimedia archaeological information and visitors’ centre “Nebra Ark” which opened in Wangen in summer 2007 is part of the tourist route “Sky Paths” in Saxony-Anhalt.
Located near the site where the Nebra Sky Disc was found, the “Nebra Ark” seems to float across the Unstrut Valley like a celestial golden boat.
Located near the site where the legendary Nebra Sky Disc was found, the Ark provides visitors with unparalleled insight into the life of Bronze Age astronomers. In 1999 a bronze disc was unearthed on the Mittelberg. Since then, the archaeological world has been holding its breath.
As soon as the authenticity of the 3,600-year-old sky disc was verified (making it the oldest realistic representation of the cosmos to date worldwide), our image of an entire epoch in human history was put into question. Was there a far greater transfer of knowledge during this period than was previously assumed? Do we now have to revise our image of ignorant primitive people once and for all? How much did our ancestors already know about the universe 3,600 years ago? Answers to these questions are found in the 1,500 square meter Nebra Ark. Its form is based on the “golden celestial ship“ symbolically represented on the sky disc. The Nebra Ark is not meant to be a museum, but rather an interactive discovery centre that conveys knowledge in a relaxed and easy-to-understand manner. That’s why the sky disc, which forms the centre of the presentation, is not shown as a typical copy, but actually experienced through multimedia effects such as three-dimensional scans. Furthermore, special active programmes for school classes and children have been developed. Not only can they learn about the creation and use of the disc, they can, for instance, try to become Bronze Age smiths themselves.
The various presentations contain interesting facts about the cultural history of the region – from the first evidence of Paleolithic humans 450,000 years ago to the Middle Ages. And of course the history of the disc is told, from its creation and interment to its fantastic rediscovery by treasure looters on the Mittelberg in 1999. In addition to the regular presentation, special exhibitions are planned several times a year on topics concerning history, culture and nature.
Special Highlight: the planetarium. Digital projection, rather than conventional star projectors, is used to give visitors a clear view of the sky exactly as people saw it 3,600 years ago. The ark includes a terrace with a panoramic view, a café and a museum shop with a large variety of sky disc replicas, from key chains to valuable true-to-scale pieces.
Along with the ark, there is also a 30-meter-high observation tower on the Mittelberg. On clear days, the tower provides a view to the Brocken (highest peak in northern Germany), while simultaneously acting as a giant sun dial.
The Nebra Ark is part of the Saxony-Anhalt tourist route “Sky Paths”, which also includes the 7,000-year-old solar observatory in Goseck, the chambered tomb of the dolmen goddess of Langeneichstädt, and the Museum of Prehistory in Halle.
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