Geest

Vast expanses, sparse landscapes, infertile soils—these are characteristic features of the Geest. The term comes from the Low German word güst, meaning barren and infertile. The Geest, an ancient moraine landscape in the Weser-Ems region, was formed by glacial movements during past ice ages. This exhibition area brings to life more than 120,000 years of cultural and natural history of the Geest.

The exhibition covers over 4,000 years of settlement history and its cultural developments, reconstructed through archaeological artifacts. Exhibits range from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, displayed in numerous cases and representing key eras in the region’s history. A highlight for visitors of all ages is the life-sized replica of a megalithic tomb. This impressive structure showcases the monumental effort of humans during the Neolithic period and is fully accessible for exploration.

As a natural space, the Geest exhibition showcases the typical tree species of the landscape, along with their leaves, fruits and colours as well as a variety of large and small animal species in life-sized dioramas.

The final room highlights the risks of human impact: soil contamination from intensive livestock farming threatens the preservation of natural resources. The exhibition highlights these negative effects, provides insights into the challenges, and raises awareness about potential solutions.