Delve into 5000 years of the Egyptian, Greek and Italian ancient world here at the city centre of Basel, and see how the culture and actions of our ancestors has shaped the world we know today. Upon entering the Skylight Gallery, where natural light streams in overhead, casting an ethereal glow on the Greek and Roman sculptures, bringing out the aesthetically exquisite and elegant shapes that speak volumes about the beauty ideals of that era. Next, head to the vaulted cellar, where the long narrow room with Roman sarcophagi and statues creates an intimate and exclusive atmosphere that somehow adds to the extensive history that the artwork implies.

In fact, the complexity of the past is prominent throughout the museum, as in the Egyptian gallery, over 600 statues, temple reliefs, coffins, mummies, and stone vessels exemplify the religion and lifestyle of the ancient egyptians, one of the most advanced civilizations; a true epoch in the history of human culture. The Oriental department depicts the mixing of East and West, and explains the influence that Mesopotamia, Iran and Cyprus had on the west through animal-shaped vessels, richly decorated weapons, images of deities and photographs.

The Skulpturhalle is the sister museum, located close to Basel University, which is venerated all over the world for its complete assemblage of the Parthenon in Athens and its collection of 2200 copies of statues from museums round the globe.