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.
Which weapons did one all use in the Middle Ages (NL)?
Weapons were used in hunting, in fights and at war. Many items can be used as a weapon in an impulse but I think you mean tools, specifically made to go hunt, hurt or kill or to threaten with in fighting sports or tournaments...
In the Iron Age, who was exactly the boss (NL)?
That depended on where exactly: at home, in the village.. Life was probably very much structured because the security of existence of every individual and the group as a whole depended on it...
What was the most used weapon in the Middle Ages (DK)?
The sword. But else there were trebuchets, bombarders and weapons with gunpowder, by the end of the Middle Ages...
Did knights in the Middle Ages really need to be hoisted onto their horses (NL)?
At the beginning, a suit of armour was meant for battle and a knight who fell off his horse should be able to continue fighting. In the 14th and 15th century, one could move around in a suit of armour pretty well...
What were roofs made from during the Bronze Age (CZ)?
Remains of roofs are rarely preserved so we know little about them. They may have been thatched but at that time people did not grow corn with long stalks as rye later in Middle Ages and modern times and...
Did people know they were people or did they still think they were monkeys (NL)?
Many peoples modestly called and still call themselves ‘people’, like the Ainu in Japan or the Inuit of the Polar Circle as do many others. Prehistoric groups of people like the Neanderthal may have had the same habit...
What did the people of the lake fortress eat (LV)?
The islanders’ diet was very diverse – cereals, turnips, the meat of hunted and domestic animals, milk, eggs and fish. Vegetable oil was obtained from linseed and the seeds of gold-of-pleasure...
What did the Roman men wear under their tunic (NL)?
Originally, Romans wore not a thing under their tunic. It is however assumed, soldiers in the colder areas of Europe (like the Netherlands) wore the trousers we know of these places.
What did Romans use for toilet paper (NL)?
Papyrus was probably the only type of paper the Romans used, but for cleaning their behinds the Romans had a softer option. A sponge on a stick was the easy solution to this pressing problem...
Why was Araisi built on an island in the lake (LV)?
Āraiši lake fortress was built and inhabited in the Viking Age (9th–10th cent. AD) by the Latgallians, one of the ancient Baltic groups. In the middle and second half of the...