Insights into the secrets of the Iberians at the Basel Museum of Antiquities
Published: Friday, Nov 17th 2023, 14:10
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Since "Asterix in Spain", many people in this country have been aware of the existence of the Iberians. In the study of antiquity, however, their culture has led a shadowy existence behind the Romans and Greeks. An exhibition at the Antikenmuseum Basel now aims to change this.
From delicately decorated silver treasure objects, beautifully painted vases and charming little bronze figurines to impressive monumental statues of women: The 260 or so objects in the "Iberians" exhibition point to an advanced civilization in the Iron Age (last millennium BC). Ancient Iberia stretched in a broad line from present-day Apulia along the east coast of Spain northwards to Languedoc in France.
Thanks to the cooperation between the Basel museum and the Museu d'Arquelogia in Barcelona, visitors can now get to know this culture in Switzerland for the first time. At least what we know about this culture or what we can glean from the objects, as exhibition curator Laurent Gorgerat said on Friday during a media tour.
The mist of the mysterious
For much is still shrouded in a curtain of mystery. The Iberians had a script whose letters could be transcribed. However, this has not helped much so far because the Iberian language cannot (yet) be translated.
The descriptions from Greek and Roman sources - Iberia was integrated into the Roman Empire by the Romans after the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage around 210 BC - should also be treated with caution. The arrogant ancient civilizations referred to the Iberians disparagingly as savages on the western edge of the world.
The exhibition now leaves plenty of space for the objects that prove the opposite of a primitive, marginal existence and attaches great importance to bringing the culture of the Iberians closer through the objects. A 124-page accompanying publication, which is included in the admission price, also serves this purpose.
The exhibition will run until May 26, 2024.
©Keystone/SDA
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