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 the “Terramare” called that way (IT)?
The term Terramare means prehistoric settlements in the eastern Po plain, above all in the Emilia and the Veneto, which originated here during the Middle and the Late Bronze Age (1600-1250 BC)...
In the Iron Age, didn't they have any domestic animals like cattle, cats or dogs (NL)?
They had cattle, but much smaller then the domesticated kinds we know of today. Dogs are the oldest pets but cats were not there yet in these days in this area, not until the Romans came...
Could they already weave textiles in the Iron Age (NL)?
Absolutely, textiles are already known from the Stone Age. In these areas, little is found (in sandy soils, this is not preserved that well), but there are many clues, like weaving weights, belts and pins et cetera. The surely still used animal furs but textile was in well use. The value of it was much more than today, however...
Did they keep animals at the Biskupin fortress in the Iron Age (PL)?
The people of Biskupin cultivated land, about 150 – 200 ha. For this, they used oxen and cows. Within the Biskupin settlements, lots of bones of domesticated animals were found. They kept cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and dogs...
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...
Where did the raw materials fot the medieval blacksmith come from and how did they get to him (NL)?
Probably, there were already tradesmen in iron and coal. Iron came form Germany, Sweden and the UK. Here there are locations where iron ore is found at the surface. Coal came from Germany...
Where were Romans buried (NL)?
If at all, Romans were buried outside the city-gates, probably for hygienic purposes. Travellers on the main roads leading to the city were greeted by a long queue of tombstones. The inscription on Roman graves sometimes even welcomed visitors coming to the city.
Were the people in the Iron Age in Poland religious (PL)?
It is very difficult to reconstruct the beliefs of people back then on the base of what we found. Besides that, we can only imagine if religion was all pervasive or not that important...
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.
What kind of religion did people practice in prehistory (NL)?
On base of archaeological finds only, it is hard to reconstruct the religious beliefs of the past. Many aspects of it, like stories, songs and most rituals do not leave any traces in the soil that we can recover today...