Open-air archaeological museum
An open-air archaeological museum is either an excavation site that has been prepared for a visit or, more often, a site that contains reconstructions of human activities. The oldest, archaeologically neutral reconstruction is the log house built in 1879 by the amateur archaeologist Frederik Sehested (1813–1882) in Soholm, Denmark , which stood for a long time in the open-air museum Den Fynske Landsby in Odense on Funen . Sehested is considered the "father of experimental archeology ".
Open-air museums are a public-friendly, easily comprehensible form of museum presentation. Most of the time, the culture of past centuries is presented using original buildings and furnishings. In addition, the idea of portraying it in the open air has also encompassed other areas of cultural history . There are historical urban ensembles, depictions of industrial development, transport and many others, including archaeological reconstruction ensembles.
The first attempt in Denmark was followed by museums in Schönenwerd near Aarau in Switzerland (1890), today's Bally Park , and in Attersee in Austria (1910–1922) both with stilt houses . The first German open-air museums emerged in Rössen (1918–1940) and Unteruhldingen on Lake Constance (1922).
Today reconstructed buildings and other archaeological excavation findings can be viewed at well over 100 locations. However, it is not easy to recognize an order in the diversity. In general, two aspects are in the foreground: an informal, museum, educational and scientific-experimental one. In many places both are united. The first group includes the archaeological open-air museums or parks and the so-called " historical workshops ". In addition, there are reconstructions at the original location. The second group includes archaeological experimental institutions and reconstructions in situ for experimental purposes, but also projects of the type: " A year in the Iron Age " ", in which people go into the prehistoric environment.
The holistic representation of historical milieus is crucial. It should give the impression that the original residents are absent only by chance. This requires detailed knowledge (which is often first researched). For archaeological open-air museums, the problems are naturally massive. Accordingly, there are solutions with a wide range. The scientifically managed archaeological open-air museums, some of which, such as Asparn an der Zaya in Lower Austria or Moesgård near Aarhus in Denmark, are part of larger specialist museums with scientific staff, are usually characterized by caution and reluctance to interpret finds . They include Sagnlandet Lejre on Zealand and Hollufgård on the outskirts of Odense on Funen, a former aristocratic seat with extensive land.
See also
- List of European open air museums
- Archaeological Open Air Museum Oerlinghausen
- Groß Raden archaeological open-air museum
- Hitzacker Archaeological Center
- Federseemuseum
- Experimental archeology
literature
- Claus Ahrens: Reconstructed prehistoric times . Wachholtz 1990