Outline of key ideas of the project
The Living Archaeology – A School of Experimental Archaeology
The Project tends to promote archaeology and impress the importance of
knowledge of our prehistory on the public. Archaeological artefacts will ‘penetrate’ the
area of the bio-centre, making the place more attractive and adding new services to
those existing.
The Olomouc Archaeological Centre wishes to contribute actively to the
project and cooperate with the bio-centre in a long-term view, thus developing
general awareness of the unity of humans and nature. The Archaeological section of
the Project will use a logo and the name ‘The Living Archaeology – A School of
Experimental Archaeology’ on its printed materials, advertisements, etc.
The archaeological exhibition installed at the bio-centre has one primary
purpose: to portray the traditional unity of the man and nature and close links
between human settlements and rivers.
Several comments upon the exhibition and the way the archaeological section
of the Project should function:
- All objects and artefacts (houses, kilns, fields, . . .) will be open to the public,
especially to children. Indeed, the visitors will be encouraged to take part in
preparation, construction, and utilization of various archaeological exhibits. The
unique experience of experimental archaeology will be the major asset of the project.
- The archaeological artefacts can be found throughout the area. They will
complement environmentalist exhibits and natural spots; that is why they should
match up with ideas of environmental education.
- The Project will intensify experience of visitors, encouraging their willingness
to play, learn and work together.
- The outdoor installations will be accompanied with printed materials and
leaflets, books, and humorous exercise sheets. The materials will be available at the
entrance hall of the low-energy building.
Archaeological Exhibits Proposed:
1. Three ceramic kilns (a replica of kilns excavated at Olomouc –
Neředín, 2000)
The general public – and, namely, children – will participate in building the kilns, in
which future visitors will be allowed to bake their hand-made pottery. A suitably large
and segmented shelter – a roof supported with piles at the very least – should be
erected over the kilns. It should be spacious enough to provide appropriate working
conditions for visitors participating in archaeological experiments.
2. Long house (a replica of a long house excavated at Olomouc –
Slavonín, Horní Lán, 1996)
The replica is shown in the book Archaeological Reflection (see the figure on the
page 54). The long house will be built only in part and left ‘unfinished’ – for two
reasons. First, the interior of the house will be wide open, inviting visitors to learn and
play. Second, visitors will be able to examine ancient building techniques (cane
weave, puddling. . .).
3. Celtic mud hut (a replica of a mud hut excavated at Přáslavice)
The replica is shown in the book Archaeological Reflection (see the figure on the
page 82). The ancient shelter should demonstrate a considerable difference between
a fairly small living space inhabited by our forefathers and our excessive luxury.
4. Roughly fenced fields with ancient grain crops
A ‘baker’s shelter’ will be erected beside the fields. There will be a grindstone, a
fireplace or an oven, and a large grain container made of ceramics and halfembedded in earth. Visitors will be able to grind grain and bake home-made
pancakes made of flour, water and salt.
5. Horse burial place (a replica of a site excavated at Olomouc –
Nemilany, ‘Na kopci’, 1999)
See the photographs in the book Archaeological Reflection (page 91). Each of two
reinforced burial pits will contain a model of a horse skeleton made of wire and
concrete. Skeletons will be fastened to the bottom of a pit and covered with sand and
soil. Visitors will be encouraged to excavate and discover whatever lies in the earth,
using standard archaeological methods.
6. Bronze-founder workshop
A forge with a simple shelter.
7. Life-giving water
A well with a wooden rim will be situated on the edge of an inundation area, making
use of the favourable level of subterranean water.
8. Workshop (a replica of a hut excavated at Přáslavice, the site ‘Díly
pod dědinou’)
A partly sunken hut (probably a log cabin) with a built-in loom and a set of
earthenware weights. (See the book Archaeological Reflection, a figure on the page
81.)
9. Ritual place
‘Let us gather under the tree . . .’ People tend to get together, meet one another, and
share their feelings. That is why the area will have three special objects in its heart: a
mound, fireplace, and tree located in a certain relationship:
- Mound with a stone rim and a stele (diameter: 5 m, height: 3 m).
- Fireplace curbed with stones.
- ‘Ritual Tree’ with stone artefacts hanging from branches. The tree will
grow in a centre of a circular sandy path. Other paths radiate out from
the tree.
Conclusion:
The Olomouc Archaeological Centre wishes to make the ‘Sluňákov’ Project more
attractive for the public and schoolchildren. Bringing experimental archaeological
activities into the bio-centre at Horka nad Moravou, the Archaeological Centre will try
to strengthen people’s respect for the nature and interest in history, especially that of
the pre-Slavic period.