THE WORLD OF THE EGTVED GIRL

In June 2026 The Vejle Museums inaugurated a new exhibition space built in the area of Egtved focusing on the bronze age and the finding of Egtvedpigens’ tomb in a burial mound in 1921. The exhibition is special in a number of ways. It is a mix of a classical exhibition space and five combined playgrounds and outdoor exhibition areas distributed in the landscape around the burial mound in which Egtvedpigen was buried. Furthermore the exhibition building is open to the public around the clock not even closing the two heavy doors for entering and exiting the exhibition space.

During daily operation hours - 08.00-21.00 - the exhibition offers a narrative putting the burial of Egtvedpigen into context through a 12 meter timeline mounted on one of the walls in the circular exhibition space. A sound scape and dynamic light put focus to ten time periods dating from the stone age till modern time hinting the visitor through landmark events in Denmark and the rest of the world. As the narrative progresses and enters the period of the bronze age an animation of the supposed burial ritual is projected on the wall integrating the props and artifacts found in the tomb as it was found in 1921. As the dynamic light narrative reaches modern time a replica of the oak coffin, placed central in the exhibition space, in which Egtvedpigen was buried is illuminated and the entire timeline is lit by spots and a dynamic LED strip for the visitors to investigate.
Adjacent to the timeline, Vejle Museums designed four exhibition stands showcasing the artifacts found in the tomb of the Egtved Girl in greater detail. Her clothing, jewellery, utensils, and the discovery and excavation of the tomb are displayed in a calm, softly illuminated setting. During the entire narrative loop lasting 5.30 minutes a soundscape resembling manmade activities as well as sounds of wind, foliage and animals expected to have inhabited the areas of Egtved during the bronze age are subtly filling the space with a none intrusive background soundscape.

In collaboration with the client, Kollision led the design and development of the timeline, including physical design, integration of lighting, dynamic lighting design, and control systems. The graphic identity was developed in close collaboration with Helene Dalgaard and is applied throughout the exhibition, both indoors and across the informational installations distributed throughout the landscape.
Kollision also designed and implemented the exhibition’s integrated control system, combining lighting, sound, projection, and PIR-based interaction in a space accessible year-round. The soundscape, lighting design, animations, and technical implementation were all developed by Kollision. The building was designed by AART and detailed by Gjørtz Andersen Arkitekter.