Exhibition Opening in Berlin: "Planet Africa – Archaeological Time Travel"

Planet Africa – An Exhibition in Six Modules

Planet Africa draws its foundation from the research results of the DFG-funded Priority Programme Entangled Africa by the DAI’s Commission for Non-European Archaeology and Cultures. It offers visitors insights into over two million years of fascinating human history. This intricate spectrum of research is presented through six specially designed modules.

The exhibition bridges the past and present by connecting its themes to ongoing archaeological projects and research questions. Many of the featured images, graphics, and films are directly linked to these contemporary studies, creating a vivid and cohesive narrative. African street artists have enriched the exhibition with striking key visuals and cinematic illustrations, adding a creative dimension to its multi-faceted presentation. The story unfolds across humanity’s origins, the evolution of cultural practices, and dietary innovations, culminating in an exploration of modern archaeological efforts in Africa. Planet Africa celebrates the continent’s vibrant diversity, creativity, and resilience, highlighting humanity's remarkable ability to adapt to environmental and societal changes. This enduring legacy of ingenuity and innovation holds profound relevance for addressing the challenges of our time.

Planet Africa – An Intercontinental Exhibition

Planet Africa is a unique exhibition-project presented simultaneously in Germany and five African countries. In Germany, Berlin marks the first stop, with the exhibition opening today at the James-Simon-Galerie, where it will run until April 27, 2025. It will then travel to several German cities, including Munich (State Archaeological Collection) and Chemnitz (State Museum for Archaeology), as well as other locations. On the African continent, the exhibition launched in November 2024 in Rabat (Morocco) and Nairobi (Kenya). Next year, it will be presented in Maputo (Mozambique), Accra (Ghana), and Lobamba (Eswatini).

Dr. Freda Nkirote, archaeologist at the National Museums of Kenya, highlights the exhibition’s approach, stating: “Its strength lies in its ability to present all facets of African history – geographic, archaeological, social, and cultural – in a concise, accessible, and engaging way within a compact space.” The exhibition seeks to foster intercontinental scientific dialogue and to strengthen cultural infrastructure in Africa sustainably. It aims to make cutting-edge research accessible to less privileged communities while deepening global understanding of Africa’s rich early history. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to showcase Africa’s archaeological excellence to diverse audiences on both continents.

Curatorial Team

Planet Africa – Archaeological Time Travel was developed by a curatorial team led by Jörg Linstädter and Miriam Rotgänger (Commission for Non-European Archaeology and Cultures, DAI), in collaboration with Wazi Apoh (University of Ghana, Accra-Legon), Gerd-Christian Weniger (Museum Consult), Matthias Wemhoff and Ewa Dutkiewicz (Museum of Prehistory and Early History), alongside numerous African and German archaeologists.

The Research Project

The DFG-funded program Entangled Africa: Intra-African Relations between the Rainforest and the Mediterranean, ca. 6,000–500 Years Ago includes 13 projects exploring sub-Saharan Africa from an African perspective. The program’s aim is to uncover and illuminate intra-African relationships and networks from the last 6,000 years to the start of the colonial period. Researchers from the DAI and prominent universities in Berlin, Münster, Cologne, and Frankfurt am Main are working in close partnership with African colleagues. The collaborative findings form the foundation of Planet Africa, funded by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, the German Research Foundation (DFG), and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. With generous support, Planet Africa is free to the public at the James-Simon-Galerie in Berlin.