Late Middle Ages
Discussion: Archaeological Reconstruction in Situ
A view of John H. Jameson (USA)
At historic sites, monuments, and parks, the process of effective interpretation allows each visitor to find an opportunity to personally connect with a resource or place. Each individual may connect to the place in a different way, and some may not connect immediately, but everyone should have an opportunity to explore how that special site or place is meaningful to them.
Did people know they were people or did they still think they were monkeys (NL)?
Many peoples modestly called and still call themselves ‘people’, like the Ainu in Japan or the Inuit of the Polar Circle as do many others. Prehistoric groups of people like the Neanderthal may have had the same habit...
What kind of weapons did people use in the Middle Ages (NL)?
Weapons were both used when hunting, in a fight and at war. Many items can be used as weapon, in an impulse, but I think you refer to tools specifically made to hunt with, to hurt or to kill, to threat with or to use in fight sports or tournaments...
What kind of jewellery did people wear in the Middle Ages (NL)?
Well, that depended on who you were. There were large differences in classes, between farmers, civilians, clergymen and the nobility.
Often jewellery was about your profession (if you were a man)...
What kind of punishments did they know in the Middle Ages when you had done something wrong (NL)?
Medieval punishments were often quite gruesome and painful. One could simply be put in a block of shame, or much worse than that. Much needed to happen before they would for example cut off your hand, because that would mean...
What kinds of people were working in the castle (NL)?
A castle could have different functions. In most cases, it was the building from which the neighbouring territory was controlled. This could be a town, an important road or a larger area. Often soldiers were encamped, a garrison...
Which colours of ink were used in the Middle Ages when making a manuscript? How did they make this ink (NL)?
The most commonly used ink was black, dark brown or brown. One used for this Arabic gum, different minerals (including iron), soot, ash et cetera...
Were there many parties in the Middle Ages? (NL)?
The image we have of the Middle Ages is often about the king at his castle, knights and ladies, jokers et cetera. But the truth was much different...
How would a 12 year old entertain oneself in the Middle Ages (NL)?
Well, in those days, as soon as it would even be possible, children had to give a hand at home, for example with raising the even younger children. Many of those things would nowadays be called 'child labour', but that was how it was...