BERLIN.- The year 2027 marks the 800th anniversary of Genghis Khan's death. To commemorate this occasion, the Museum f黵 Vor- und Fr黨geschichte of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, in collaboration with its Mongolian partners, is presenting the large-scale special exhibition "Genghis Khan and the world of the Mongols" at the James-Simon-Galerie. It tells the story of the Mongol Empire through significant archaeological finds from Mongolia and Europe. Most of the Mongolian objects on display are being shown outside the country for the first time. The exhibition focuses on new findings from Mongolian-German research and offers a nuanced perspective on an empire that had a lasting political, economic, and cultural impact on Eurasia.

The special exhibition focuses on the history of the Mongol Empire and its central ruler, Genghis Khan. Under his rule and that of his successors, the largest contiguous empire in history emerged, stretching from the mouth of the Danube to the Korean Peninsula. The exhibition does not focus solely on the Mongols' military conquests. Archaeological research over the past decades has significantly expanded and revised our understanding of the Mongol Empire. Finds from the heartland of the empire reveal a long history of steppe empires and local principalities that contributed to the cultural identity of the Mongols. Mobility and the nomadic equestrian way of life shaped society for centuries. As the empire expanded, new cities and multi-ethnic centers emerged, where administration, communication, and trade converged across great distances.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are archaeological treasures from Mongolia, many of which have never before been on display in an exhibition outside of Mongolia. They provide insights into the everyday life, political structures, and cultural interconnections of the Mongol Empire and are supplemented by items on loan from Poland, Romania, Stralsund, other collections of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. On display are, among other items, a Mongolian lamellar armor from the 13th/14th century, a stone statue of a Mongolian dignitary from the Tavan Tolgoi burial ground, and precious belt fittings and strap pulls made of rock crystal. Other objects provide insight into the history of the cultures and empires that preceded the Mongol Empire and shaped its emergence.

Another focus is on the relations between the Mongol Empire and Europe. The westward campaign—which had far-reaching consequences for Eastern Europe and the Middle East—is brought to life through archaeological finds from Poland and Romania. These artifacts document not only the traces of the Mongol attacks but also the complex consequences of the subsequent rule. Following the conquests and destruction, reconstruction began in many places. With the so-called Pax Mongolica, conditions arose for economic and cultural flourishing, as well as for innovations in architecture, administration, and communication.

The Mongol Empire was also a space of intense exchange. Goods, people, and knowledge moved across great distances. Luxury goods reached Europe via the Crimea and the Levant, accompanied by new knowledge about countries, cities, and trade routes. The exhibition thus presents an empire that shaped the history of Eurasia not only through its conquests but also through transcontinental networks and cultural exchange.

Mongolian-German research conducted over the past two decades holds particular significance. It has contributed significantly to expanding our knowledge of the archaeology and history of the Mongol Empire. The exhibition combines these latest research findings with outstanding artifacts from Mongolian and European collections, thereby offering a new perspective on Genghis Khan and the world that emerged under his rule and that of his successors.

A richly illustrated catalog accompanying the exhibition will be published by Michael Imhof Verlag.

The exhibition is being held in cooperation with the Chinggis Khaan National Museum (Ulaanbaatar) and the Mongolian Academy of Science, and is sponsored by the Hauptstadtkulturfonds, the Government of Mongolia—Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, and MIAT Mongolian Airlines.