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.
Did the people in the old days brush their teeth like we do (CH)?
The prehistoric people did not have the possibility to brush their teeth, because they obviously did not have toothpaste or toothbrushes. Besides that they did not know anything about teeth hygiene...
Why do we find more stone artifacts than wood artifacts (CH)?
Wood is a material, which conserves poorly in the soil as it decays. Only in water the conservation is better, as the wood is sealed off from the air...
How long does prehistory already exist (NL)?
We usually let prehistory start with the emergence of mankind. Of course, the planet is much older than that, but that part of the past is studied by palaeontologists...
Is the invention of the wheel the oldest invention (NL)?
For sure, people invented many other things earlier, like for example the use and keeping of fire. As many inventions, the wheel was first seen in the Near East, about 8,500 years ago. But these wheels were used as slow turning potter’s wheels. Pottery was already an old technology back then...
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...
Were the Neolithic house posts in Northwest Schleswig really this thick (DE)?
Yes, they were. We found the structures inside of the postholes; and it was clear enough to separate the rest of the post itself from the surrounding soil filling...
How did they make prehistoric canoes (NL)?
The prehistoric canoes that have been found in the Netherlands are dug-out canoes. They were made of hollowed-out trees. In te forest a suitable tree was selected and probably on the spot shortened, debarked and hollowed out...
Biskupin is famous in Polish society and still has been brought in connection with Preslavonic tribes, why (PL)?
Prof. J. Kostrzewski created the theory that Biskupin as a settlement of Lusatian Culture had been joined with Preslavs, now this theory has minor significance and we treat Biskupinians just as Indoeuropeans.
People back then were not that stupid after all … (CH)
No, why should they! The modern human (Homo sapiens sapiens) is around for about 37,000 years. Ever since, people have the same appearance and the same development of the brain as we do...
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