Gletschergarten Luzern hosts ice archaeology exhibition

The Gletschergarten Luzern is hosting a new exhibition titled ‘Schatzkammer Eis’ (Ice Treasury), which runs until August 22, 2027. The exhibition integrates glacier archaeology and ice core research to explore the last 10,000 years of history.

Drawing inspiration from recent discoveries on the Aletsch Glacier, such as the remains of mountaineers lost nearly a century ago, the display showcases various items revealed by melting ice. These include an ancient cow skull, a Roman statuette, a rosary, and a bow, alongside microscopic elements like pollen, dust, and greenhouse gases.

The exhibition highlights two distinct scientific approaches: ice core research, which reconstructs climate and environmental changes, and glacier archaeology, which studies artifacts uncovered by receding ice. Experts including ice core researcher Prof. em. Dr. Margit Schwikowski and glacier archaeologist Marcel Cornelissen provided scientific guidance for the project.