Today: 659
Last Update:
2010-09-04
Curator:
Beata Bielińska-Majewska
Exhibition project: Stanisław Lackowski
The exhibition Neolithic
Baroque – Trypillian culture presents one of the most intriguing
archaeological cultures in the prehistory of Europe. The first discoveries of the sites of this
culture were made already back in the nineteenth century. Even though knowledge
about the culture has expanded considerably since that time, discussions
concerning history and material remains uncovered by archaeologists in the
ground still goes on today.
The exhibition presents a fragment of
one of the largest collections of Trypillian culture’s artefacts, which is the
property of the Archaeological Museum in Crakow. These objects came from
two archaeological sites in Bilcze Zolote in Podolia. One of the sites is
called Sad (meaning garden in Ukrainian), second Verteba Cave.
The collection named after the Dukes
Leon and Teresa Sapieha, amongst other things consists of: more than 300 whole
ceramic vessels and over 35 000 potsherds, some 120 human and animal
figurines (preserved in varying degrees), over 60 weaving related items,
around 200 work implements made of bone and antler and 300 flint and stone
tools. Presented collection from Bilche Zolote is dates to the time between mid
5th and mid 3rd millennium BC.
Trypillian cultural phenomenon fascinated
many people, its beauty lies in things that have survived to our times.
Decorative art known from pottery
shows the complexity of the Trypillian people’s world. Handmade pottery
characterizes with an advanced level of make and beautiful ornaments, quite
often it is painted with black, brown, white and red pigments. Amongst many
forms of vessels there are: bowls, goblets, cups of various types, pear-shaped
vessels, amphora, lids and binocular vessels. The symbols used in decorative
art refer to the natural world and they are strongly bonded with the forces of
nature. The most often observed symbols are spirals, bands, and geometric
patterns symbolizing the moon, stars and the sun.
Anthropomorphic figurines are clay objects often depicting a
deity in human form; these played an important role in everyday life of the Trypillian
people. Human figures in their art most often represent a female figure, which
is often interpreted as a goddess of fertility. Also known animal
figurines are mostly representations of a bull, which too is associated with the
cult of fertility. Taurus symbolizes the masculinity, and its image is popular
during entire duration of the culture. The linkage of imagery of a bull
and a woman played a vital role in many ancient societies.
Other unique items of
this culture are the clay models of houses and temples associated with the cult
of fertility and Mother Earth.
Archaeological research
conducted for many years have provided unique and fascinating us with traces of
this culture. This enables us to learn the habits and culture of these people.
We study their art, pottery, painting, sculpture and everyday life.
To our visitors,
we offer a journey into the past, exploring the beautiful objects and customs which
remained of the Trypillian culture a visitor can try to understand and
appreciate the complex world of the artists and craftsmen who made these
objects.
