A Visit to MAMUZ – The Mysterious World of the Iberians

From March 14 to November 29, 2026, the MAMUZ Museum in Mistelbach will present the exhibition “The Mysterious World of the Iberians.” Some 300 original artifacts and selected replicas offer a glimpse into a culture that is often overshadowed by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans in the general historical consciousness, yet is of great significance for understanding the ancient Mediterranean world.

The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya in Barcelona and with the support of the Antikenmuseum Basel and the Sammlung Ludwig. The Roman city of Carnuntum is also participating with items on loan.

Depiction of a horseman - © T. Mauerhofer

The term “Iberians” refers to various communities that lived between the 6th and 1st centuries B.C., primarily in the eastern and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula—that is, in the territory of present-day Spain, Portugal, and a small part of southern France. They did not form a unified nation, but rather a multitude of regional groups with their own traditions, settlement patterns, and social structures. What they shared, however, was a material culture characterized by fortified settlements, specialized craft techniques, writing, trade, religious practices, and a rich visual culture.

The Iberians were in close contact with the major cultures of the Mediterranean region. Phoenician traders, Greek colonists, Carthaginian interests, and ultimately Roman expansion influenced their development. At the same time, however, the Iberians were not merely passive recipients of external influences. They utilized, adapted, and integrated foreign influences into their own cultural forms. It is precisely this combination of autonomy and interconnectedness that makes them so interesting from an archaeological perspective.

Silver bowl with a wolf's head from the Tivissa silver hoard - © T. Mauerhofer

The exhibition makes it clear that the Iberian Peninsula was already an economically significant region even before the Roman conquest. Copper, iron, gold, and silver were mined, processed, and traded. These natural resources made the region attractive to merchants and major powers—and they contributed significantly to the wealth of local elites. A highlight of the exhibition is the Tivissa silver treasure. Cups, bowls, and jewelry made of silver or gold-plated silver demonstrate the high quality of Iberian metalwork. Such objects were not merely valuables; they also served purposes of representation, religious practice, and social hierarchy.

A glimpse of the current Iberian exhibition at Mamuz Mistelbach - © T. Mauerhofer

Iberian script is particularly fascinating. More than 2,500 inscriptions are known today. They are found on pottery, amphorae, lead tablets, stone monuments, and other objects. The characters can largely be read or transcribed, but the language itself is still not fully understood. So while we often know what a text said, we are not certain what it meant. This places the Iberians in a peculiar position of both proximity and distance. They were a literate society, yet their own voices remain accessible to us only to a limited extent. For archaeology, this means that objects, settlements, sanctuaries, and graves become all the more important.

The Dama de Elche in the current exhibition at Mamuz - © T. Mauerhofer

One of the most famous works of Iberian art is the “Dama de Elche.” The original is housed in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional in Madrid and may not leave Spain; a faithful replica is on display in Mistelbach. The bust has become an icon of Iberian culture, yet it continues to raise questions to this day. Does it depict a member of the elite? A religious figure? A deceased person? Or an idealized image of femininity?

Other female busts and statues, such as the “Dama del Cerro de los Santos,” also highlight the significance of status, jewelry, clothing, and religious symbolism. These are complemented by bronze votive statuettes depicting worshippers, warriors, and other figures. They offer insight into sanctuaries and sacrificial practices, as well as into the social roles that emerged in such religious contexts.

Not all finds are easy to classify or pleasant from today’s perspective. Skulls with nails driven into them are associated with the public display of defeated enemies. They serve as a reminder that the world of the Iberians was shaped not only by art, trade, and craftsmanship, but also by violence, war, and ritual demonstrations of power.

Stele depicting a battle scene and spears - © T. Mauerhofer

A special section of the exhibition is devoted to the town of Ullastret in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. It was inhabited from the 6th to the 2nd century B.C. and is considered one of the most significant Iberian archaeological sites. Virtual reconstructions guide visitors through the streets, houses, and urban structures of this fortified city. This highlights an important point: Iberian settlements were not simply villages, but could be urban centers with complex organizational structures.

Impressions of the exhibition's interactive stations - © T. Mauerhofer 

The exhibition is not intended solely for a specialized audience. Interactive stations invite visitors to piece together ceramic fragments, mint coins, discover mythical creatures, or stamp Iberian motifs. This makes key themes such as writing, craftsmanship, religion, wildlife, and everyday life accessible even to families and younger visitors.

“The Mysterious World of the Iberians” combines spectacular finds with accessible educational content. It showcases a distinct culture caught between local tradition and Mediterranean connections — while also reminding us that the Roman world can only be truly understood in relation to its neighbors, adversaries, and earlier societies.