The use of scale models and reconstructions of daily life at the Vassa museum is an important interpretation technique. |
This meeting gave the PARABOW teams a unique opportunity to meet with others from the heritage industry and cultural bodies. In many respects it was a learning experience to discover examples of best practice that might be adopted by PARABOW. The Danish, UK and Slovakian delegates were able to meet with and gain the support of the Brussels based, 'Europe of Cultures 2002' and attend presentations on the 'Northern European Wooden Town' and 'Viking and Celtic Links'. Another very useful contact was made with Gordon Fulton of the Canadian Government's Archaeology and Antiquities Department. Mr Fulton was involved in a presentation about Canadian wooden buildings and opened his lecture with a slide depicting an Indian longhouse; the style of this building was not dissimilar to the Norse and the PARABOW team determined to make further enquiries. Over the last six months the hypothesis has begun to emerge that Beothuk and Micinaq Indians from Newfoundland who are known to have come into contact with Norse settlers in the 10th century AD, might have influenced the Norse and also been influenced themselves. The team has also been exposed to the writings and studies of Farley Mowat, an unusual historian, archaeologist and explorer who does not enjoy the full support of archaeological academia, who suggests that Scottish 'Albans' from Orkney might have been the first Europeans to reach North America and used turf and stone buildings roofed with their over-turned boats to survive the savage Winter which stranded them as they followed walrus and narwhal.
A further highlight of the Swedish trip was a visit to the Vassa Museum in Stockholm to see the 17th century wooden warship lifted from the mud in the harbour and now one of the world's premier heritage attractions. The teams were particularly interested in the style and type of interpretation facilities and also the opportunity to recognise the thread of craftsmanship from the much earlier Viking age. The scale models and reconstructions of
The use of scale models and reconstructions of daily life at the Vassa museum is an important interpretation technique. |
everyday life in the period were particularly stimulating, especially the life-size carved wooden figures of sailors sleeping, fighting and drinking ?these all added greatly to the visitor experience.
Lateral studies undertaken by the promoters of PARABOW reveal such interesting facts as the similarities between North American Indian and Norse wooden buildings ? this is a Bcothuk Winter lodge. |