01-07-2025
In Berlin's new zoo of sorts, you watch archaeologists, not animals
What was life in Berlin like centuries ago? And what traces did people leave behind? Visitors can watch these questions being answered in real time at Germany's new zoo-like lab where you can watch archaeologists at work behind glass.
Petri Berlin is designed as a workshop and laboratory building, aiming to give visitors insights into the work of archaeologists. Through large windows, visitors can observe them at work on various floors.
"Here, visitors can trace the journey of a find — from excavation, through cleaning, restoration and cataloguing, to its display as an exhibit," said director Anne Sklebitz at a press conference launching the Petri Berlin exhibition.
The detective work behind the research often remains hidden, but can now be seen as it happens, the archaeologist said.
"Petri Berlin is not a museum, but a workshop and laboratory building that offers visitors insights into the work of archaeologists," commented state archaeologist Matthias Wemhoff.
The seven-storey building is divided thematically: Finds are cleaned on the first floor and restored on the second. There are also interactive stations where visitors can get hands-on experience.
A highlight of the new centre is the remains of a medieval Latin school from the 14th century. The entire archaeology lab was built on the foundations of this school.
In the basement, visitors can admire parts of the walls. The school stood on central Berlin's Petriplatz, one of the oldest parts of the city and the site of the former Petri Church, then centre of the city of Cölln, one of the two nuclei of Berlin. Foundation remains of the church are also on display in the exhibition.
Initially, the museum is officially only German-language, but tours and workshops are on offer and most Berlin museum workers can easily switch into English.
