Stereotypes: Neanderthal woman

The world's first exhibition on the Neanderthal woman

from 23 November 2024 at the Neanderthal Museum

When you think of Neanderthals, do you also think of muscle-bound men hunting mammoths? Time to change this image! In ‘Stereotypes Neanderthal woman’, we provocatively question our current ideas about prehistoric Neanderthal communities and do away with old clichés: How did the women, children and older people live? What tasks did they have? What actually is a family? And was there even such a thing as fixed roles?

Curator's tour on Sunday, November 24

While all exhibition texts in the permanent exhibition are available in English, the texts of the special exhibition are only available in German. We hope that an English version of the exhibition will be able to travel to other museums after the end of the exhibition period in our museum. Follow us on Instagram (German & English) for more info around the topic.

Exclusively on November 24, we are offering a curator's tour in English. More info!

Visualisierung SA Neanderthalerin©Studio Quack (1)

Captivating stories by a bestselling author

Experience an exhibition that surprises, moves and asks critical questions - with exciting hands-on stations, exhibits that have never been shown before and a gripping audio tour, written by archaeologist and bestselling author Rebecca Wragg Sykes. She has developed four Neanderthal women who tell the story of their eventful lives based on well-known archaeological sites.

Sonderausstellung_Stereotypes_Neanderthalerin

Dive deep into the history of your Neanderthal woman

At the beginning, one of the four Neanderthal women will randomly become your personal companion. At each new station, you learn more about her life and join her on an emotional journey into the past. She tells you about births, the loss of children and family members, hunting, everyday tasks and encounters with other people. Change your perspective with each new tour through the exhibition.

Stereotypes Neanderthalerin Konzeptbild (©Studio Quack)

Gender archaeology explained in an understandable way

What actually is gender archaeology and which clichés also influence research? In short and comprehensible texts, the exhibition organisers explain what is known in research or where questions remain unanswered. There are special texts for children that explain the topics in a child-friendly way. Adults and children can have fun learning new knowledge at the many interactive stations.

Für das 25. Jubiläum hält Frau Dr.Bärbel Auffermann einen Vortrag im Auditorium

Come and discuss with us

The special exhibition is accompanied by an exciting programme of guided tours, workshops and other events - also for groups and schools. Together, we want to discuss stereotypes, scrutinise definitions and role models and, in particular, let the people who deal with these issues on a daily basis have their say.

Sponsors of the project

After the end of the exhibition in the Neanderthal Museum, the exhibition will go on tour and continue to be shown in other museums as a travelling exhibition (hopefully in an English version too). The exhibition was financed by the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR).