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.
How old did people in the early Middle Ages become (NL)?
On the basis of research on 66 skeletons from a graveyard in Susteren (from around 800 to 1100 AD) we know that women on average reached the age of 44 years and men on average 38 years. The infant death rate must have been very high. About one third of the children died before reaching five years.
Where do the archaeological finds come from (CH)?
Archaeologists found the items below the present ground level during archaeological excavations. Some of the exhibits are so called 'stray finds', meaning loose finds, found by chance. Often these are objects which were found during construction works or moved to the surface by the plough of a farmer.
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...
Did they have chimneys in prehistory (CZ)?
They did not have chimneys in our sense of the word, but from at least the Bronze Age we presume that makeshift chimneys, for example made from wicker and daubed with clay would take smoke from hearths through ceilings...
What does „Únetice culture” mean (CZ)?
The Únětice culture (in German Aunjetitzer Kultur) is a dominant archaeological culture of the Early Bronze Age (2200-1500 BC) of Central Europe. It is the only...
Who was King Arthur and when did he live and rule (NL)?
King Arthur is a myth. See for an extensive explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_arthur
What kinds of people were working in the castle (NL)?
A castle could have different functions. In most cases, it was the building from which the neighbouring territory was controlled. This could be a town, an important road or a larger area. Often soldiers were encamped, a garrison...
What is rose water? Where can you buy it (NL)?
Rose water was used extensively in the Middle Ages in the upper class kitchen. Nowadays, it is still an important ingredient in the India and Surinam kitchen. It adds a tender aroma to dishes...
The elephants Hannibal used, did they originate in Asia or Africa (IT)?
The name Hannibal or Chan-i-bal means something like "Mercy of Baäl" in Phoenician or Carthague. As Hannibal Barkas himself attacked the Roman Empire from Africa (the Carthague Empire) it is probable, his elephants originated from there as well...
Did people make everything by themselves in prehistory (NL)?
Most settlements were probably mostly autarctic, taking care of their own food, clothing, pottery, tools et cetera. There are however clues for the exchange of goods and resources which were not present in the local environment...