Memory of Mankind
The Memory of Mankind Archive is located deep in the world’s oldest salt mine in Hallstatt. The salt deposit in Hallstatt was formed around 240 million years ago from the salt of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean. The MOM Archive is thus, figuratively speaking, a message in a bottle in the ocean of time.
On the basis of suggestions, the MOM Archive selects the 1,000 most important books of our time, burns them onto ceramic microfilm and stores them in the Hallstatt salt mine. Protected from environmental influences, the MOM Archive can survive there for more than 1,000,000 years. Just as a bookshelf reflects interests and preferences, this selection of 1,000 books says a lot about us and our time. ‘Show me your books and I'll tell you who you are.’
With basic information about the Mauthausen concentration camp already having been committed to the MOM Archive in 2013, the Mauthausen Memorial is now going one step further by storing all known names and dates of those who died in the Mauthausen concentration camp, the updated Book of the Dead, on microfilm for eternity.
At the same time, the ceramic microfilm tablets will be on display at the Mauthausen Memorial from 27 January 2025 to illustrate the project.
The ceramic microfilm will be committed to the Archive on 5 May 2025, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation.
Location: Former infirmary building, lounge area
In cooperation with 