An Unprecedented Museological Endeavor: The First Kings of Europe Exhibition

The First Kings of Europe, organized by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, is the result of unprecedented international collaboration. The multiyear project, cocurated by William Parkinson and Attila Gyucha, was presented in three North American venues. Featuring more than 700 splendid prehistoric artifacts borrowed from museums across 11 countries in Southeast Europe, the exhibition at the Field Museum traced the evolution of social complexity from Neolithic farming communities to powerful rulers in the Late Iron Age. The exhibition presented a modern multimedia show, offering immersive experiences and inclusive interpretations while also adhering to standard archaeological display practices concerning provenience and placing artifacts in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent. The success of the exhibition was not measured merely by its scale and scope of showcased treasures but also by the unprecedented collaboration it fostered among museums and scholars, celebrating shared cultural heritage. As a milestone in museological endeavors, the First Kings of Europe transcended boundaries, shedding light on the enduring legacy of Southeast Europe’s first kings and queens, during its remarkable journey through North America.

Content warning: Readers are advised that this review contains a photograph of human remains.