The Archaeology Society is anything but dusty and organises talks, exhibitions, excursions and guided walks. History lovers and other curious people of all ages are welcome.
Membership is a bargain at CHF 5.00/year and you get a free gift every year (e.g. a calendar, postcards, illustrated booklet).
Become a member!
Committment
The Archaeology Society Zug has three main committments:
- To increase the pulic’s interest and undertanding for archaeology and historical monuments
- To inform the public about recent archaeological discoveries and research results in Zug
- To support the activities of the Museum für Urgeschichten(n) (Museum of Prehistory) and the Amt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie (Office for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments and Archaeology)
Activities
We offer serveral activities for our members throughout the year:
- Family days: Archaeological experiences for families in summertime
- Speeches: Experts from Switzerland and abroad present their archaeological research
- Guided tours in museums and on excavation sites
- Day trips to archaeological monuments in the region
- Longer excursions to archaeological sites, museums and monuments in neighbouring countries every second year.
While the main language of all our activities is German, there’s usually someone on place who speaks English.
History
The Archaeology Society Zug is on of the oldest Societies in the canton. It was founded in 1928 and the first archaeology museum in 1930. Several reincarnations later, the current museum in the Hofstrasse in Zug is light and airy, modern and very hands-on. Children are especially welcome and there are many family-friendly special events organised throughout the year.
The museum and society were originally concerned with ancient and early history but have now broadened their outlook, in conjunction with the official cantonal archaeology department, to cover more modern periods too. In times of economising, even in our relatively wealthy canton, it has become even more important that the public interests itself in the origins and history of our lovely canton Zug, origins going back to the Stone Age and including many Roman remains. The exhibits are almost all from this area and there are many special exhibitions.
The Speck family, especially Michael Speck and then his son Josef, played a great part in the beginnings of the preservation of the ancient history of Zug in the 1920s and 30s. The building boom in recent years has resulted in many ‘Rettungsgrabungen’ being carried out by the local Amt für Archäologie to save and preserve what is worthwhile. Often, sites are investigated, dug, photographed and then covered over again for future archaeologists to find! Digs are usually open to the public at some stage.
