From the beginnings of mankind through the Stone Age and subsequent cultures to the Middle Ages, the museum presents the prehistory and early history of Thuringia in a vivid and exciting way. The permanent exhibition presents more than 3,000 exhibits on around 1,000 m². Always at the cutting edge of archaeological research, Thuringian (cultural) history is shown in all its facets. The exhibits include archaeological highlights that have attracted worldwide attention. These include finds from the camp of the forest rhinoceros and forest elephant hunters, the Bilzingsleben Homo erectus or the important human remains from the travertine area of Weimar-Ehringsdorf, an early form of Neanderthal man. The permanent exhibition offers diverse, exciting and sensory access to the regional settlement, economic and social history: original finds, fascinating models, life-size reconstructions, multimedia installations and hands-on objects take you on a journey through the everyday life of our ancestors.