Erfurt

The exhibition shows the body over time how it develops, matures and grows, reaches its climax and finally weakens. The "Cycle of Life" features a special presentation on the human life cycle and ageing – from prenatal development and infancy to youth, adult­hood and old age. It presents ageing in the context of the human life cycle, as a natural progression from the spark of life at conception to living with inspiration into later years. Incredible feats and cautionary tales about age related matters, as well as the latest find­ings in longevity research are staged alongside real human specimens preserved through plastination.

Specimens on display stem from the Institute for Plastination’s body donation program and are preserved through plastination, a remarkable scientific process invented by pioneering anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens.