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.
Were there many parties in the Middle Ages? (NL)?
The image we have of the Middle Ages is often about the king at his castle, knights and ladies, jokers et cetera. But the truth was much different...
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 did people eat and drink in the early Middle Ages (NL)?
The main foodstuff for the early medieval person was grain. It was cooked as a whole grain or ground down and used for porridge or bread. Meat, fish, vegetables, peas, beans and lentils were used in stews and soups which were seasoned with salt and herbs...
Did the Vikings have iron (NO)?
Yes, the Vikings had both iron and steel. They had to make it themselves, through a process called “blestring” or iron smelting. This was a major undertaking, so iron was expensive. Here at Lofotr we have documented this process on a DVD which is sold in our museum store.
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...
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.
Was it really true, in the Iron Age, men hunted and women cooked the food above a camp fire (NL)?
Surely there was a set division of tasks between men and women, more traditional then nowadays. Probably, inside the house, the women were in charge, men outside. Contrasts were important; air - earth, inside - outside, north - south...
Biskupin became the most important site for Polish archaeology of the 20th century, why (PL)?
Because of the unique preservation of the wooden complex of ramparts, houses and streets, because of using modern methods of archaeological and interdisciplinary research, because of initiating archaeology by experiment and because of organizing training camps for archaeology students.
Since you have a fire in the house and only a small hole in each end of the house, didn’t people suffer from smoke inhalation (SE)?
Well, from what we’ve seen we don’t need any more openings for the smoke to get out. The ones in each end creates a draft which makes the smoke rise up to the ceiling and escape easily without allowing any to be disturbing.
What kind of weapons did people use in the Middle Ages (NL)?
Weapons were both used when hunting, in a fight and at war. Many items can be used as weapon, in an impulse, but I think you refer to tools specifically made to hunt with, to hurt or to kill, to threat with or to use in fight sports or tournaments...