GENCHANGERS. Exhibition: Unraveling Early Medieval Burial Grounds at Natural History Museum Vienna

This special exhibition, 'GENCHANGERS.', delves into the secrets of early medieval burial grounds by unraveling family relationships and community structures through archaeogenetics. Visitors will gain insight into the lives, diet, health, and mobility of ordinary people from over 1,200 years ago, offering a new perspective on the Migration Period.

The special exhibition 'GENCHANGERS.' at the Natural History Museum Vienna offers an unprecedented look into the early Middle Ages, specifically focusing on two burial grounds near Vienna. Leveraging cutting-edge archaeogenetics from the HistoGenes research project, the exhibition illuminates the intricate family relationships, community dynamics, and daily lives of people who lived over 1,200 years ago. It moves beyond traditional archaeological methods to reveal previously invisible aspects of ordinary lives, including their diet, childhood experiences, health, and mobility. The exhibition showcases how genetic research, combined with archaeology, anthropology, and history, provides new answers about sedentary and migrating communities across Central Europe. Visitors can engage with the research process through hands-on areas and numerous examples, following the detailed search for clues in bones, genes, artifacts, and documents. This exhibition highlights the transformative 'gene and game changers' that are unlocking the secrets of this pivotal historical period, presenting communities and changing generations through novel scientific working methods.

Visitors are directed to the museum's online ticket shop for admission details and booking. The exhibition is housed in Hall 21 on the 2nd floor, with access likely included with general museum admission or a specific exhibition ticket, information available via the provided ticket link.