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New open-air museum in Belovezhskaya Pushcha to open on 1 June

BREST, 28 May (BelTA) – An archaeological open-air museum in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park will be officially inaugurated on 1 June, BelTA learned from the scientific department of the park.

Guests of the launch event will be able to immerse themselves in the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. An ancient settlement has been recreated in the flood plain of the Lesnaya Pravaya River near the village of Kamenyuki close to the main entrance to the park. It features a double front gate and defense installations, like a fosse, an embankment, a double wall and a tower. A house of the striped pottery culture (7th century BC –5th century AD) and two houses of the Milograd culture (7th-1st century BC) have been recreated based on housing patterns of similar archaeological sites in Belarus.

Weapons, hunting, fishing, and gathering tools, crafts are displayed in the houses. The majority of exhibits are replicas, however a number of authentic items will also be put on display. The program of the opening event includes an excursion, weaving and pottery master classes, a fish soup tasting. The new museum will also run a gift shop.

The ancient settlement is the first facility of the archaeological open-air museum project which is envisaged in the government program on environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources set to run in 2016-2020. The museum will cover 18 hectares and incorporate seven facilities which will showcase the tangible and intangible culture of western regions of Belarus from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. The museum will provide internship opportunities for history students and host various historical reenactment events and festivals.

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