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Ancient Ukraine was a space no less fantastic
than Ethiopia described by Augustine.
Yuri Andrukhovych
18 June - 1 September 2018
Exhibition curators: Dr Dobiesława Bagińska (Archaeological Museum in Poznań), Radosław Liwoch (Archaeological Museum in Krakow)
The exhibition features the collection of loose finds and materials from excavations that were handed over to the Archaeological Museum in Krakow by Poles living in Volhynia, Red Ruthenia, Podolia, Bracław and Kiev regions and by the scholars from Krakow who were conducting investigations there from the middle of the 19th century until the World War II.
The artefacts on display come from the time spanning six millennia - from the astonishingly beautiful artefacts of the Tripoli proto-civilisation and Neolithic stone weapons, through Bronze Age ornaments and weapons, ancient Ponticapaeum pottery, objects that once belonged to the Scythians, Sarmatians, Goths and Polovtsians, and a wealth of artefacts of Old Belorussian culture, to late medieval and modern objects. The exposition is complemented by artistic-quality illustrations from 19th-century archaeological publications and short texts enriched with quotations abundantly taken from works of ancient authors: Herodotus, Jordanes, Nestor and others.
"Ukraine before centuries" with its wealth of artefacts refers to the tastes of a century ago when the expositions were far from minimalism. Its almost monochromatic character is reminiscent of age-old photographs. By showing the "realities" of the past in a retro way, it should provide a respite from the overwhelming fashion for virtuality. It reminds us of people who have already passed away, but who contributed to the knowledge of prehistory and the Middle Ages of the lands on the Dniester and Dnieper rivers, co-establishing the archaeology of Ukraine. It introduces us to the diversity and cultural richness of Poland's great neighbour, whose citizens we meet every day in our country.
