The Island Perspectives (InselPerspektiven) 2008 stood in the sign of the sun: The series of events drew a line through the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, the late antiquity and early Christianity, the bronze age, India, and the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas. They examined these cultures' self-images and their belief in the sun as a divine power, as well as aspects of the solarisation of religion and power. At the same time, the series also debated issues of scientific history, as well as the history of astronomy, paleoastronomy and archeoastronomy.

The Deutsche Bank Foundation has invited renowned scientists to hold talks at various locations on the Museumsinsel since 2001. With this programme, the Foundation is accompanying the refurbishment of the museums within the framework of the “master plan”, encouraging discussion and debate about this magnificent cultural heritage site, as well as the future direction of the Museumsinsel.

Berlin’s Museumsinsel (Museum Island), which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, is considered the world’s largest multi-purpose museum. In contrast to the royal foundations and collections of the time, the museums, which were founded in Berlin in the mid-19th century, were based on scientific achievements and progress. Following the New Museum, the Old National Gallery and the Kaiser Friedrich Museum (today the Bode Museum), the opening of the Pergamon Museum in 1930 marked the conclusion of construction activities on the island.

The overarching theme in the years 2006-2007 was "universal archaeology". The results of the latest field research were presented at several events, followed by discussions with the collaboration partners in the host countries. As a result, the major political significance that is inherent in archaeology became palpable.