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.
What games did Roman children play (NL)?
A wide variety of Roman games are known. These games vary from the simple throwing of nuts in a pot (Orca), to Roman rugby (Harpastum) and even chariot races with two hoops on a stick.
Was book printing a Dutch invention (NL)?
Absolutely not! The oldest printed books we know originate from China, where people printed books with wooden blocks as early as the 8th century. The oldest dated book, dated by its maker, is the Chinese “Buddha’s Diamond Sutra”: May 11th, 868. It is one of Buddhism's greatest treasures...
How many children did people get in prehistory (NL)?
We do not know exactly how large prehistoric families were because archaeological finds cannot tell us much about this. Research to present today hunters / gatherers reveal, the generally speaking, have small families...
Since when do people wear shoes (NL)?
The oldest preserved shoe is 9,000 years old. But research makes clear, the modern shoe can be between 26,000 and 40,000 years old, i.e. already in the Neanderthal Age. This is based upon research - not into shoes, but into feet. The shoes themselves have not been preserved that long...
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 was the occupation of the people living in the lake fortress (LV)?
They were mainly engaged in agriculture, stock-keeping, forest bee keeping, crafts and trade. Also important was the utilisation of wild resources: fishing and hunting, especially the...
Did the people of the Old Stone Age use fishing nets (CH)?
How did people hunt before bow and arrow were invented (NL)?
Bow and arrow were invented about 15,000 years ago, when the last ice age was ending. Before that, people used a stick to make their arm longer, thus enhancing the power with which the spear was thrown...
Was the longhouse at Borg really 83 metres long (NO)?
Yes, the house was this long during its last phase of existence, but it had been rebuilt several times, so the length has varied.
What kind of punishments did they know in the Middle Ages when you had done something wrong (NL)?
Medieval punishments were often quite gruesome and painful. One could simply be put in a block of shame, or much worse than that. Much needed to happen before they would for example cut off your hand, because that would mean...