House of Questions
Delphi House of Questions was an EU Culture 2000 project by three EXARC members. Under this umbrella, other EXARC members as well collected and answered the most frequently asked questions by visitors to archaeological open-air museums. The largest part of this collection of questions you can find here – as many of them still carry importance. In most cases we offer the questions both in the original language and in English. With several questions you will find illustrations by Savannah Parent.
Why are there so many archaeological monuments preserved in the area in Northwest Schleswig (DE)?
In this region, there is a long history – since the 16th century - of protected forests. Wood was very important because of the vicinity to the open sea and the „woodless“ marshlands. This had the consequence that there was no agricultural use in younger times in this region!
How did medieval people burry their dead (NL)?
Medieval people wanted to be buried as close as possible near the relics of a saint or a church altar. Rich people were buried inside the church, in a monastery church or monastery hallway...
How could people live in these smoked through rooms (DE)?
Medieval people were used to the smoke, like the modern city people the exhaust smoke of cars. Furthermore we should suppose, in the Middle Ages people could make a fire with much less smoke then...
Do you know anything about how people kept food cool in the Middle Ages (NL)?
There are different ways. Actually, the best fridges are either streaming water or a hole in the ground. Rich people would have ice cellars where they would store ice in winter time, which would remain good until Summer.
Which colours did one have to ones disposal in the Iron Age and the Middle Ages (NL)?
In both eras, many colours were in use. Clothes were dyed, but houses as well and you name what more. The most difficult to get colours (dark ones) were also the most expensive ones...
Was the castle meant as well for defending (NL)?
A medieval castle - like the one from Eindhoven - often was the house in which the Lordship lived. Often it was the only stone building in the area he owned...
Which types of animals did people keep in the Iron Age (SE)?
The Iron Age agricultural structure was more based on animal husbandry than the growing of crops. The Iron Age farmers of what was to become Sweden kept several types of animals. The two most important ones were cows and sheep...
How was the weather like in the Neolithic Era in Austria (AT)?
The Neolithic is characterised by a warmer period; mean temperatures of 2 - 3 degrees warmer can be counted with. Obviously, our seasons like we know them were present back then as well.
Did people bathe in the early Middle Ages (NL)?
Roman baths were still used and maintained in some places at the beginning of the early Middle ages. In monasteries there were sometimes baths too...
You are cheating – they didn’t have iron axes in prehistory, did they (DK)?
No, not in the Stone Age. But here we are in the Iron Age. Do you remember the names of the periods: Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age? You do not need to be embarrassed, but the names tell us when the different materials were introduced...