Swiss Archaeology

Swiss Archaeology (German: Archäologie Schweiz, AS) is the largest nationwide association in Switzerland dedicated to the country's archaeological heritage. Founded in 1907 as the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte, it has evolved into a national umbrella organisation that promotes the protection, study, and preservation of archaeological monuments. Its membership includes archaeology enthusiasts, professionals, and institutions, reflecting its dual role as a public-facing society and a professional network. The association is a prolific publisher. It runs its own publishing house, producing two periodicals: the peer-reviewed scientific yearbook Archäologie Schweiz and the popular-science magazine arCHaeo Suisse. Both are published in print and in Diamond Open Access, available on the Zenodo platform and archived on e-periodica. In addition to these journals, AS issues various series and individual publications. As a national umbrella organisation, Archäologie Schweiz serves a vital networking function for the diverse actors in Swiss archaeology. It is one of the specialist societies of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences and a member of the Conference of Swiss Cantonal Archaeologists. It is also politically engaged, for example as a member of Alliance Patrimoine. Internationally, AS is connected with other specialist societies and institutions. At its seat at the University of Basel, AS maintains a scientific library focused on Swiss archaeology, integrated into the library of the Department of Ancient Civilizations and open to the public. Through various event formats, mostly public, it enables people to experience archaeology up close, engage in direct exchange with experts, and network. Since 2006, the association has been known as Archäologie Schweiz and represents all branches and disciplines of Swiss archaeology. It no longer conducts its own excavations; its main task is the communication and networking of knowledge.

The association was founded in October 1907 in Brugg as the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte (Swiss Society for Prehistory). Eugen Tatarinoff was a co-founder and served as president until 1930. In 1928, Karl Keller-Tarnuzzer, a self-taught teacher, became secretary and shaped the society's public image for nearly 30 years. With the support of long-serving Federal Councillor Philipp Etter, the society helped establish the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences in 1946. Walter Ulrich Guyan served as president from 1949 to 1952. In 1967, the society was renamed Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte (Swiss Society for Pre- and Early History). From the early 1960s, academics determined the society's direction, and the secretariat was moved to Basel. In the mid-1970s, the society experienced a deep financial and institutional crisis, from which it emerged strengthened by the involvement of cantonal archaeologists appointed in many cantons. As a result, Archäologie Schweiz ceased conducting its own excavations and redefined its main task as the communication and networking of knowledge. Since 2006, the association has been called Archäologie Schweiz and represents all branches and disciplines of Swiss archaeology.

• 2006

  Renamed Archäologie Schweiz, representing all branches of Swiss archaeology.

• 1967

  Renamed Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte.

• 1949

  Walter Ulrich Guyan becomes president (until 1952).

• 1946

  With support from Federal Councillor Philipp Etter, the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences is created.

• 1928

  Karl Keller-Tarnuzzer becomes secretary and shapes the society for nearly 30 years.

• 1907

  Founded in October in Brugg as Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte.

National umbrella organisation and publisher for Swiss archaeology, bridging professionals, enthusiasts, and institutions.

• Archäologie Schweiz (yearbook)

  Peer-reviewed scientific journal on Swiss archaeology, published in print and Diamond Open Access.

• arCHaeo Suisse (magazine)

  Popular-science magazine reporting on current topics and news from Swiss archaeology.

• Scientific library

  Library focused on Swiss archaeology at the University of Basel, integrated into the Department of Ancient Civilizations library and open to the public.

1. 1Archäologie Schweiz - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
2. 2Swiss Archaeology - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Archäologie Schweiz websitearchaeologie-schweiz.ch