Archaeology and Popular Culture
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EXHIBITION Archaeology and Popular Culture October 3, 2025 – February 1, 2026 The grand opening of the exhibition will take place on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7 PM at the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. A multimedia exhibition that will offer you a unique experience, blending science, heritage, and the creative world of entertainment. Experience the past in a new and unexpected way – through the lens of popular culture that connects us all. The exhibition Archaeology and Popular Culture will show you how archaeology has influenced different media and how it has been represented through various forms of artistic and cultural expression — visual arts, literature, theatre, film, comics, music, toys, different types of board games, and the gaming industry. The exhibition Archaeology and Popular Culture will also present you different perspectives of artists and their fascination and sometimes even obsession with archaeology and archaeological sites, from the 15th–16th centuries up to contemporary depictions of archaeology and archaeologists in today’s popular culture. Various media have shaped public views on archaeology since the very beginnings of archaeological research and the collection of material from archaeological sites. Popular media, however, have influenced the public perception of archaeology for more than a century. Before the emergence of digital mass media, popular culture in relation to archaeology relied on travel reports and other printed sources. In modern times, films, television shows, print media, and video games have brought archaeology to the masses. Unconsciously, these media forms often misrepresent the methodological and theoretical foundations of the discipline in favor of adventure and glamour. King Solomon’s Mines, Indiana Jones, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and the series Stargate SG-1 are just a few examples of how archaeology has been portrayed in mass media. These works present archaeologists in a romantic and adventurous way, often overshadowing the scientific aims and practices of “real” archaeology. This perception actually reflects the social role of archaeology in different historical periods and the shifting expectations of the public toward archaeology, which can best be observed precisely in popular culture and media representations. Archaeology is embedded in popular culture in many ways, including—but certainly not limited to—film, television, media, advertising, fiction, non-fiction, documentary film, music, comics, video games, and toys. Popular culture promotes and exploits stereotypes about archaeology and prehistoric pasts. Impresum: Organizer: Archaeological Museum in Zagreb Exhibition authors: Jacqueline Balen, Daniel Rafaelić Exhibition curator: Ema Kosnica Graphic design and exhibition display: Šesnić&Turković Expert associates: Simon Bogojević Narath, Lada Bošnjak Velagić, Marijana Dragičević, Ivan Drnić, Tibor Đurđev, Ivor Janković, Tomislav Kiš, Ema Kosnica, Juraj Kukoč, Jurica Kunić, Marina Milićević Bradač, Irena Paulus, Ante Paro, Ana Pavlović, Ivan Radman-Livaja, Zorica Ružić Nemet, Porin Šćukanec Rezniček, Nikola Vukosavljević, Milana Vuković Runjić, Zrinka Znidarčić Croatian language proofreading: Mario Šavorić English translation: Agnes Milovan Solter Technical realization of the exhibition: Ivan Troha, Zlatko Ros, Tin Tomašković, Franjo, Šimunković, Robert Vazdar Making of hand sculptures: ARMARION Educational program: Zorica Ružić Nemet, Porin Šćukanec Rezniček Marketing and public relations: Davorka Maračić, Ema Kosnica Exhibition materials provided by: Alamy, Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, band KEOPS, British Museum, State Archives in Split, Glyptotheque of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Croatian Cinematheque, Croatian State Archives, Croatian National Theatre in Split, Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, National and University Library, National Museum of Modern Art, Department for the History of Croatian Theatre of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Rijksmuseum, Universiteitsbibliotheek Gent – Universiteit Gent and private individuals: Jacqueline Balen, Goran Bilogrivić, Lana Bunjevac, Jelena Boras, Martina Čelhar, Ivan Drnić, Filip Franković, Kristina Hodak, Ivor Janković, Iva Kaić, Ana Kokotović, Emil Podrug, Boris Pleša, Daniel Rafaelić, Zlatan Stilinović, Petar Tešija, Lino Ursić, Filip Varaždinec, Lia Vidas Exhibition materials donated by: Naklada Fibra d. o. o. Acknowledgements: Vanja Budišćak, Iva Cvitan, Ana Đukić, Roland Heide, Ante Livajić, Mimara Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Andrija Nemet, Martina Petranović, Tamara Runjak, academician Boris Senker, Ana Solter, Jelena Šarić, Andrea Šimunić, Inga Vilogorac Brčić and all lenders of materials. Financial support: City of Zagreb, City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb Tourist Board, Archaeological Museum in Zagreb Media sponsors:
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