Early Middle Ages. Archaeological Exhibition.

What was the daily life of the early medieval village and castle like? What were the beliefs and funeral customs of the time? How did crafts and trade develop? What distinguished Romanesque architecture?

Answers to these questions will be found at the archaeological exhibition available from October 30 at the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola. Nearly 300 exhibits from all over Poland gathered in one place, multimedia presentations, iconography – all this to bring closer the history of the beginnings of our country and make the school history curriculum more attractive.

The period of the early Middle Ages in Poland is dated between the turn of the fifth and sixth centuries and the middle of the thirteenth century.Its beginning is marked by the appearance of monuments linked to the Slavs.These are also times of the formation and crystallization of the Polish state.

The various sections of the exhibition present, in an interesting arrangement, relics related to the daily life of the inhabitants of the early medieval village and castle, the development of crafts and trade, as well as funerary customs and beliefs.

The exhibition features militaria related to medieval chivalry, including examples of exquisite weapons: javelin and spearheads, axes, swords and spurs and stirrups.

Presented are tools of labor and objects of daily use: sickles, radii, blows, objects made of animal bones and antlers: needles, awls, piercers or skates, as well as clay vessels, spinners, rattles. Among the ceramics, grave ashtrays are a special category of relics.

One can admire a rich collection of metal ornaments: silver, gold and bronze, including temple cabochons, rings, pendants, crosses or glass bead necklaces, as well as costume ornaments – clasps, belt buckles. A separate place is devoted to the presentation of relics related to trade, such as scales, iron wages and coins.

In the section devoted to early medieval architecture, the main focus is on issues related to the development of Romanesque architecture in Poland, and includes stone Romanesque architectural details from the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec and the Wawel Royal Castle in Cracow.

The exhibition seems to be an indispensable supplement in the study of the history of the beginnings of our country and visiting it can be an attractive point in the implementation of the school history curriculum.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog containing a compendium of knowledge on the archaeology of the early Middle Ages, with particular emphasis on the region on the lower San and Łęg rivers, along with a list of the monuments presented at the exhibition.