title: Do We Have Living Archaeology in Slovakia? type: Príspevky z praxe language: English published: 20 May 2014 updated: 17 Apr 2021 category: Pedagogika author: PhDr. Stanislava Gogová, PhD Fig. 1. Archeoskanzen Praveká osada Mokrý Kút, Vyšný Kubín.

Archaeological sources as facts of the external past world can be viewed from two perspectives: either they serve as sources of knowledge about the past (in this sense they are used by academic archaeology), or they are parts of today's world in which they appear as monuments. (1) In ordinary presentation in museum practice, it is mainly the second position – the position of a monument – that is utilised. However, I believe it is also possible to present them in the first function, as components of a living culture reconstructed through theoretical research of the past. The presentation of methods that clarify the cycle of processes associated with searching for, acquiring, sorting, and interpreting archaeological sources is not excluded either, because these lead to fulfilling one of the tasks that a museum has, regardless of its type, namely the protection of cultural heritage and education about it.

The highest level of archaeological presentation in the field are open-air museums – archeoskanzens, archaeological open-air museums, and archaeological parks – archaeoparks. There is considerable freedom in the use of these terms. The terms skanzen and open-air museum overlap in meaning considerably. The term skanzen is derived from what is reportedly the first open-air museum, founded by Artur Hazelius in 1891 in Stockholm in the grounds of a former royal garden on a hill named Skansen (Fortifications). (2)

The Stockholm initiative found many successors in Europe, and the name skanzen became established. It became synonymous with open-air museums. Everything would be fine if both terms were used identically in the broadest possible sense. However, in an effort to express this concept as precisely as possible, the following definition is used in the Short Dictionary of Tourism: "Skanzen – an open-air museum of folk architecture in which objects transferred from their original location are situated." (3) The idea of transferred exhibits is borrowed from ethnographic thinking and is limiting for the presentation of immovable archaeological monuments. (4) There are known interpretations that attempt to soften the traditional concept of a skanzen as an exhibition of transferred objects relocated to a new natural environment by defining a skanzen – archeoskanzen as a scientific construction (reconstruction) of destroyed parts of structures at the site of an archaeological find (in situ) or adjacent to an archaeological find. (5) It is questionable whether this is sufficient to bridge the contradictions and whether it would not be more appropriate for presentational practice to unify terminology even at the cost of a certain generosity in content.

Archaeological open-air museums as a separate category can also be internally classified in greater detail. In the concept of Bax, Gregorová, and Poláček (6), these may be classic archaeological open-air museums in the sense of static presentations of conserved originals outdoors, or indoors. In some cases they also include hypothetical or analogous reconstructions of destroyed structures in situ or in the vicinity (this category is close to the term skanzen). Another category according to the same authors (7) are archaeological open-air museums focused on experimental traditional activities – living archaeological open-air museums – experimental settlements – characterised by the creation of new groupings of structures that imitate the original relationships between them in the socio-economic sphere. Close cooperation with specialists in experimental archaeology plays an important role in the project of this category of open-air museum.

Fig. 2. Archeoskanzen Praveká osada Mokrý Kút, Vyšný Kubín. Experimental archaeology – firing of pottery.

Experimental archaeology is a young scientific discipline that emerged in the 1960s. Its definition according to J. R. Mathieu reads: "Experimental archaeology is a sub-discipline of archaeological research that employs a range of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches within the context of a controlled repeatable experiment to replicate past phenomena (from objects to systems), for the purpose of creating and testing hypotheses, and to obtain or strengthen analogies for archaeological interpretation." (8) The goal of this discipline is the practical verification and supplementation of knowledge and ideas about prehistoric or medieval working methods. Its method is the reconstruction of production activities, techniques, tools, and structures with the aim of supplementing information obtained through archaeological research. This special branch of archaeology encompasses a great educational potential and is gaining the interest of the broad public, and above all of young visitors, who have the opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand what daily life was like for our distant ancestors. (9) The term experimental archaeology is sometimes also applied to purely commercial popularisation activities for the public organised in archaeoparks or open-air museums. The effort to attract visitors is commendable, but there is a danger that if the limits of tolerance are exceeded, the authenticity of the environment and the physical substance of the original – the very reason we chose to present it – may be compromised. (10) Labelling popular events (so-called living history) with the term experimental archaeology discredits the essence of research through experiment. (11) Very often the construction of an archaeological open-air museum – skanzen itself is also considered an archaeological experiment, which of course can arise in this way as a result of an experiment, but in most cases it is not. (12)

Archaeological park – archaeopark is very close in meaning to an open-air museum, as evidenced by its usual definition as a presentation of static conserved originals in situ, or their reconstructions outdoors. Purely speculatively, it should differ from an open-air museum precisely by the absence of an indoor exhibition space. According to R. Tichý (13), it is precisely the building with a permanent exhibition and exhibition spaces that completes and forms an essential part of an archaeopark. At the same time, the term park may evoke nature, i.e. a walk through nature, and clearly evokes an open-air museum in practice associated with building products of experimental archaeology in the broadest sense of the word. (14)

As I have already stated in the introduction to this reflection, there is great uncertainty in terminology, which of course is also reflected in practice, and often creators name their project of an archaeological open-air museum – skanzen – archaeopark without further explanation or according to their own definition.

The presentation of conserved originals in situ in the field is a form that is demanding to maintain. Its success in Slovakia depends on the possibilities of the institution that manages the site (negative examples include, for instance, the decaying remains of the excavation of a medieval cemetery and church in Krásno, the hillfort Molpír in Smolenice; on the other hand, positive examples are the nobleman's court in Ducovo, the Great Moravian basilica at Bratislava Castle, the rotunda in Michalovce, a Roman-period settlement in Bratislava – Dúbravka; an interesting and exemplary case is the Underground Museum in Košice, which utilises the remains of the Lower Gate of the city fortifications). The presentation concerns both solitary structures and entire complexes, some of which have the character of "open air" museums. A separate category is formed by the presentation of architectural remains at active sites where systematic archaeological research is continuously under way (Iža – Leányvár, NKP Devín, Kláštorisko). A specific feature of this category is that it is usually only temporary; once research is completed, the sites are transformed into open-air museums. Other sites with architectural remains (Cífer – Pác, Stupava, Figa) are not yet presented.

The most comprehensive form of presenting archaeological sources in nature is the open-air museum and its related parallels (archeoskanzens, archaeoparks). The situation in Slovakia has changed significantly in recent years, and open-air museums have become attractive intermediaries of the past, although differences exist in quality, scope, and the level of what is presented. I do not think the problem lies in a small number of suitable archaeological sites for this type of museum presentation, but rather in the economic and material prerequisites and in the interest, or lack thereof, of the contemporary archaeological community. Civil associations and enthusiasts for archaeology and experiment from among non-archaeologists are increasingly coming to the forefront.

The following section maps archaeological open-air museums – skanzens – archaeoparks, whether living or static, on our territory with examples from neighbouring Czechia.

Fig. 3. Archaeological Museum Liptovská Mara – Havránok.

Archaeological open-air museum (archaeopark): Archaeological Museum Havránok – Liptovská Mara is currently under the administration of the Liptov Museum in Ružomberko. The archaeological site Havránok (Liptovská Mara – site I) belongs among the most significant sites of the Púchov culture of the late La Tène / early Roman period (2nd century BC – 2nd century AD). (15) The hillfort Havránok and its surroundings also played an important role in the medieval period, particularly in the period from Great Moravia to the end of the Gothic era (9th–16th century). (16) Since 1965, archaeological field research has been conducted here by the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences under the leadership of Karol Pieta. To date, the following have been reconstructed in the archaeopark using various methods: a complete farming settlement with a main residential building and several outbuildings, fragments of the enclosure wall of a sacrifice site on the eastern terrace with an entrance tower and sacrificial area, the entrance gate to the hillfort together with fragments of the fortification walls and a wooden semi-subterranean structure, and finally a medieval stronghold on the hilltop. (17) The hillfort Havránok was declared a national cultural monument in 1991. (18) The archaeopark has a very good location from a tourism perspective – it lies in a heavily touristed area near the reservoir lake Liptovská Mara with opportunities for recreation and hiking. Besides the popularisation of archaeology for the public, this archaeological museum is simultaneously a centre of scientific experiment.

Museum of Ancient Gerulata – the Roman camp belongs among the significant monuments of Roman antiquity. The Roman camp at the Bergl location was discovered in 1961. After the completion of archaeological research, the Museum of Ancient Gerulata was opened on the central site in 1985. The complex consists of conserved architecture in situ and an exhibition housed in a museum building (lapidary). The Museum of Ancient Gerulata is under the administration of the City Museum of Bratislava. The excavated part of the camp was declared a national cultural monument in the 1980s, and the remaining part belongs to the Rusovce heritage zone. Under the professional leadership of Jaroslava Schmidová, the museum continuously develops initiatives not only in the professional sphere but also in popularisation by submitting various projects and grants in this field. For several years there has been an effort to create an educational trail, a summer day camp for children, a computer program "build a camp in Gerulata", a model of the Roman camp, and also the production of replicas of artefacts found at this site. [1] In recent times, the initiative to include the entire Roman limes (including the Slovak section) in the category of World Cultural Heritage has been reaching its peak. The current complex no longer meets the requirements of the present day and calls for reconstruction combined with modernisation and increased attractiveness. The museum in nearby Carnuntum [2] serves as an example. The goal of those involved is for the Museum of Ancient Gerulata to continuously fit into the worldwide concept of presenting sites in other countries along the line of the former Roman Empire's borders. (19)

Presentation of archaeological sources at active sites: Roman Camp Iža near Komárno, like the Gerulata – Rusovce archaeological open-air museum, belongs among the significant monuments of the Roman period. In 1991 it was declared a national cultural monument. On an area of 3 hectares, the visitor can see parts of the original as well as reconstructed architecture of a stone castellum, an indicative reconstruction of the southern fortification with a silhouette reconstruction of the southern gate. The complex is impressively complemented by an educational tourist trail. (20)

Kláštorisko n. o. (non-profit organisation) – Skala útočišťa (Letanovce). The archaeological-architectural monument of a Carthusian monastery is situated in the cadastral area of the village Letanovce, in the tourist centre of the Slovak Paradise on the Čertova sihoť plateau. Besides the monastic structure, this complex includes three other archaeological monuments: a prehistoric Hallstatt hillfort, a medieval refuge fortress, and production structures – lime kilns. (21) Since 1983, systematic archaeological research at this important site has been led by Michal Slivka. Thanks to his initiative, this significant archaeological site has become a tourist attraction with efforts to create an open-air museum – conserved originals in situ and indicative reconstructions in the field. The entire monastery complex carries enormous potential not only in the area of tourism but also in the discovery of the history of our past.

Great Moravian Hillfort Bojná – belongs among the significant evidence of settlement of our territory. Based on the most recent research, it can be designated as a extensive agglomeration, including not only Hillfort Bojná I, but also Bojná II, III, and most recently Bojná IV. According to the interpretation of the lead archaeologist K. Pieta (22), it can be compared to Mikulčice, because its decline occurred suddenly, which has brought yet unexhausted possibilities for archaeologists and provides space for completing the mosaic of life in the society of that time. From Hillfort Bojná also come unique finds of gilded plaques that decorated a portable altar, parts of cast bells, and one complete bell that still rings to this day. (24) The goal of archaeologists from the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra and the Bojná Municipal Office is to build an Archeoskanzen within which replicas of Slavic dwellings or an entire settlement would be constructed using methods of experimental archaeology, containing not only residential houses but also workshops and economic facilities. According to K. Pieta, the ideal vision would be to show visitors what life was like in Bojná, with the possibility of presenting finds discovered at the site. (25) At present, two Slavic log cabins have been successfully built directly on the site, and the construction of a fortification wall is being prepared.

Fig. 4. Archaeological Museum Liptovská Mara – Havránok.

The issue of the presentation – popularisation of archaeology in the field, specifically connected with the construction of archaeological open-air museums – skanzens, has a long tradition in neighbouring Czechia. Evidence of this is already the network of archaeological open-air museums that are developing successfully, but also stagnating and disappearing, while new ones emerge. However, the quality of the presented reconstructions of structures is important. (26) As an example I would mention two projects: Archeopark Pravěku in Všestary and the Archaeological Open-Air Museum – Skanzen Villa Nova Uhřínov pod Deštnou, focused on a medieval village. Both "museums" are simultaneously centres of experimental archaeology.

The goal of Archeopark Pravěku in Všestary is to use experiment for modelling the cultural environment of a given period documented by archaeological material. In this case it involves a complex of interrelated experiments, where partial interpretations shape the interpretation of the model as a whole. (27) The foundation of the Archeopark was the Centre of Experimental Archaeology in Všestary, to which a building with a permanent exhibition, exhibition spaces, as well as spaces for creative workshops was opened in 2013. Besides the professional dimension, which is experiment in archaeology, the Archeopark also has an educational dimension. Real experiment and reconstructions are used as a suitable didactic aid in teaching prehistory:

Another example of this type is the Archaeological Open-Air Museum in Březno u Loun. This is not a classic skanzen whose purpose is the rescue and conservation of endangered but already existing structures. In the case of the skanzen in Březno u Loun, these are newly created reconstructions. The structures at this site were built from the beginning of the 1980s with the aim of scientific experiment. The construction of this complex helped reconstruct during the building of individual structures and facilities the technological procedures of the creators and made it possible to verify hypotheses about working techniques and traditional activities. During the realisation of this project, residential structures were tested in terms of their habitability through experimental stays of volunteers in the form of summer and winter camps. The museum function of this skanzen arose as a secondary product of the originally intended scientific experiment. Since 1994, the archaeological skanzen has been part of the District Museum in Louny and is accessible to the general public. The skanzen organises various events especially for children and school-age youth. (28)

Summarising, it can be stated that compared to the long-term deliberate activity in other countries, Slovakia is still at the beginning of a long and demanding road in building archaeological presentations in nature.

Currently in the preparatory phase is a project of an archaeological skanzen in the grounds of former barracks on Martinskom vrch in Nitra, where settlement from the Stone Age to the medieval period should be presented, together with an indicative reconstruction of the Romanesque Martin's Church. The use of archaeological experiment within the skanzen is also envisaged. At present it is in the stage of preparation of a professional study, commissioned by the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, which would be the operator and manager of the skanzen. (29)

Another project is the Archaeopark Živá archeológia (Living Archaeology) in Hanušovce nad Topľou, as a centre of experimental archaeology and educational activities, whose creator is the Regional Museum in Hanušovce nad Topľou. This is a joint project with the Podkarpackie Museum in Krosno (Poland). The entire complex should have five basic structures from five periods (Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, La Tène period, and the Slavic period). The entire complex will be surrounded by a massive wooden palisade and other supplementary structures such as kilns, workshops, and an assembly area. (30) Both mentioned projects are hindered primarily by economic and bureaucratic problems.

Last but not least, I mention the project of Archeopark Mokrý kút in Vyšný Kubín, focused on prehistoric human life. The creation of the prehistoric settlement in Orava stems from experimental archaeology. The project implementers, graduates of archaeology and museology at the Faculty of Arts of the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, plan to open the Archeopark already this summer season. The operator is the IPEA civic association. (31)

Undoubtedly, there may be other projects in a state of resolution or vision, of which only those within a narrow circle of those involved are aware.

Author: PhDr. Stanislava Gogová, PhD. Department of Museology, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra References:

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Notes: (1) Neustupný, E.: Metoda archeologie, p. 23. (2) Kol. autorov: Slovenské múzeá v prírode, p. 9. (3) Gučík, M. (ed.): Krátky slovník cestovného ruchu, p. 114. (4) Kol. autorov: Encyklopédia ľudovej kultúry, p. 380. (5) Baxa, P./Gregorová, J. - Poláček, L.: Projekt archeologického parku Mikulčice – Kopčany, p. 53. (6) Baxa, P. - Gregorová, J. - Poláček, L.: Projekt archeologického parku Mikulčice – Kopčany, p. 53. (7) Baxa, P./Gregorová, J./Poláček, L.: Projekt archeologického parku Mikulčice – Kopčany, p. 53. (8) Dvořáková, J. K. : James R. Mathieu (ed): Experimental Archaeology: Replicating past objects, behaviors, and processes, p. 144. (9) www.botanicka.cz (10) Gregorová, J.: Ranostredoveké centrum Mikulčice - Kopčany - chrániť a oživiť, p. 41. (11) Osipowicz, G.: Jaká je budoucnost experimentu v archeologii? Vrátit se od populárnich akcí pro veřejnost ke kořenům serióznich experimentu, p. 4. (12) Dragoun, Z.: Několik poznámek k budováni a provozu archeologického muzea v přírodě, p. 89. (13) Tichý, R.: Archeopark pravěku ve Všestaroch: základní téze, p. 83. (14) Tichý, R.: Archeopark pravěku ve Všestaroch: základní téze, p. 83. (15) Pieta, K. a): Liptovská Mara, p. 109. (16) Pieta, K. a): Liptovská Mara (17) Pieta, K. b): Ergebnisse der Grabungen in Liptovská Mara bis 1992, p. 404-408. (18) Pieta, K. a): Liptovská Mara, p. 109. (19) http://bratislava.sme.sk/c/6661349/anticku-gerulatu-chcu-zapisat-do-unesco.html. (20) Kuzmová, K. - Rajtár, J.: Kelementia - Brigetio: po stopách Rimanov na oboch brehoch Dunaja, p. 137. (21) Slivka, M.: Letanovce – Kláštorisko – ako ďalej?, p. 22. (22) PhDr. Karol Pieta, DrSc., Vedecká cukráreň, 27. 10. 2009. (23) www.archeologicke.misto.cz/zabava/turistika/reportaze/carnuntum.htm). (24) 06.08.2011; www.aktuality.sk; Regióny, 15.15, s. ; TASR. (25) http://www.hradiska.sk/2010/05/bojna-i.html. (26) Dragoun, Z.: Několik poznámek k budováni a provozu archeologického muzea v přírodě, p. 88. (27) Thér, R./Tichý, R.: Centrum experimentálni archeologie Všestary, p. 164 (28) Štauber, B.: Archeologický skanzen Březno a jeho múzejní využití, p. 149, 150. (29) http://www.hlavnespravy.sk/nitra-prve-objekty-archeologickeho-skanzenu-mozu-vzniknut-uz-tento-rok/196284/. (30) Kotorová - Jenčová, M. - Vatecha, M.: Zámer vybudovať Archeopark Živá archeológia pri Vlastivednom múzeu v Hanušovciach nad Topľou, p. 202; http://hn.hnonline.sk/ekonomika-a-firmy-117/hanusovce-brzdi-pri-projekte-archeoparku-legislativa-562848). (31) http://orava.sme.sk/c/6979005/na-oravu-sa-vratil-pravek.html.

Figure Captions: Fig. 1. Archeoskanzen Praveká osada Mokrý Kút, Vyšný Kubín. (photo: Tomáš Demian, IPEA n.o.). Fig. 2. Archeoskanzen Praveká osada Mokrý Kút, Vyšný Kubín. Experimental archaeology – firing of pottery. (photo: Tomáš Demian, IPEA n.o.). Fig. 3. Archaeological Museum Liptovská Mara – Havránok. (http://www.mikulas.sk/sk/navstevnik/vylety_do_okolia/po_stopach_keltov_-_na_vlnach_liptovskej_mary.php). Fig. 4. Archaeological Museum Liptovská Mara – Havránok. (http://www.liptovskemuzeum.sk/na-havranku-opat-ozila-minulost/).

[1] I thank PhDr. J. Schmidová for the information. [2] Carnuntum: the Carnuntum Archaeopark, the former capital of the Roman province of Upper Pannonia, is situated in the cadastral areas of the villages Petronell-Carnuntum and the spa town Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. The archaeopark complex consists of three parts. The core is the archaeological open-air museum in Petronell, where the visitor is greeted by a vast area with uncovered and conserved architectural remains in situ on the territory of the original ancient civilian town. Of particular interest is the reconstruction of the Temple of the goddess Diana, patroness of gladiators, built directly on the uncovered floor plan of the original temple, with an interior exhibition of the most valuable finds from the site. Also part of the archaeopark is the civil amphitheatre in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. (23)