Not everyone can find their Troy archaeologist
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Not everyone can find their Troy archaeologist |
| Country of production | GDR , Syria |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1990 |
| length | 39 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director |
Winfried Junge Barbara Junge |
| script | Winfried Junge Barbara Junge |
| production | DEFA studio for documentary films and the National Film Organization of the SAR ( Damascus ) |
| camera |
Machour Machoul Harald Klix |
| cut | Barbara Young |
| occupation | |
| |
Not everyone will find their Troy - Archaeologists is a documentary film by the DEFA Studio for Documentaries by Winfried Junge and Barbara Junge from 1989 , which was made as a co-production with the National Film Organization of the Syrian Arab Republic .
action
In a foreword, the film lists the many archaeological sites in Syria that have been and are being opened up under the direction or cooperation of numerous foreign archaeologists . A hitherto unknown archeological archeological site from the third millennium in the desert area of the Syrian Mesopotamia is Tell Hujaira, a hilly area in northern Mesopotamia , which was an inhabited, fertile land in prehistoric times. The film begins with a film recording of the head of the joint excavation group of Syrian and GDR archaeologists on this project, who explains that they are currently investigating graves in which children were once buried. These were the last pictures of him, as he and his colleague had a fatal accident the next day near Damascus .
A lake is to be dammed over the excavation site and the scientists have come to save what they can, because later the whole area will be under water. Currently, a child's grave is being dug, which is located in a Bronze Age settlement and culturally and historically in Upper Mesopotamia. In this area there are 23 groups of archaeologists from different countries studying the cultures of northern Mesopotamia. Syria could carry out the excavations on its own, but the time pressure does not allow that, because the large construction vehicles for the dam construction are already in sight. Since the work is important for the whole world, the Syrian government has decided to bring in experts from several countries for support. The work is also developing into a race against time, forcing the archaeologists to hurry, which is actually at odds with their work. The diggers are eagerly awaiting the discovery of the first small bones, which will confirm their suspicions. Over time, the Syrian helpers have developed an interest in their work, as they see that they are exposing parts of their own ancient culture here, to which they could develop their own relationship.
The film also tries to convey why the scientists chose this profession of all things. The Syrian archaeologist, who studied in Moscow , realizes that there is an as yet unknown history of his country and thinks if all culture originated from here, it is important to research it carefully so that Syria with all its art treasures and buildings known in the world. In everyday life, the essential work is done by women, which is shown by the example of pumping water and its transport over very long distances. But the interest of the normal population is also there, so the grandmother of the excavation guard visits her grandson at the excavation site and also has her great-grandson on her back while the younger women bake the famous oriental flatbread at home .
The excavations lead to three different types of child burials. Some children lie in vessels, others in pits and still others in loungers. There is no explanation for why the children died so early, but the Syrian archaeologist can imagine that they were victims of a cult and were sacrificed to the gods. But he didn't find any evidence for that. In the two excavation sections in which the Germans were involved, a total of 15 children's burials were found in the past two years. The fact that the children were buried in the area of the houses is probably a sign of the intimate relationship with them and only graves with very young children were discovered, which can also be a sign of high child mortality.
The village where the three German archaeologists live is already left in large part, because the previous inhabitants knew so that the water would come soon, so it was easy there to get a house, which also includes a power generator belongs so that you can prepare a warm meal for yourself. The locals who do not want to move yet are used in the excavation work. The Germans did not experience the really hot time, but temperatures of 40 ° C are normal. They can only sleep under mosquito nets , as there are many, very small, malicious sandflies whose sensitive bites are very unpleasant. The provisional excavation laboratory is set up in an adobe house. The great tolerance of the Arab population, which encountered a different culture, is impressive. The German archaeologists were immediately received with great hospitality, the locals have shared their lives with them from the beginning and are constantly offering their help. The Bulgarian workers who are responsible for the construction of the dam are also responsible for the showers and dry toilets in front of the house. When a water supply comes from the Bulgarians, the whole village comes immediately to use the service. Even the director of the Bulgarian dam project came by once because he was interested in the excavation work. Despite all the problems, it is a time for German archaeologists that they will never forget, even if they have not yet found a new Troy.
Production and publication
Not everyone can find their Troy - archaeologists were filmed under the working titles Syria 89 and Where once the desert was as a co-production with the National Film Organization of the Syrian Arab Republic on ORWO-Color .