The Schnidejoch Bow Case: The Stone Age was the Plant Age
The Schnidejoch bow case is on display at the BHM. The exhibition challenges the common notion that prehistory was dominated by stone and ceramic, raising awareness of the important role played by plants.
Fiche signalétique
- Départements participants Haute école des arts de Berne
- Institut(s) Institut Matérialité dans l'art et la culture
- Unité(s) de recherche Technologie dans l'art et la culture
- Organisation d'encouragement FNS
- Durée (prévue) 01.11.2024 - 31.05.2026
- Direction du projet Prof. Giovanna Di Pietro
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Équipe du projet
Dr. Marquita Volken
Dr. Johanna Klügl
Lucy Kägi
Paul Safko
Marco Klingmann
Vanessa Haussener -
Partenaire
Archäologischer Dienst des Kantons Bern
Bernisches Historisches Museum
Situation
Although prehistoric ages are still named after inorganic materials (stone, bronze and iron), archaeologists are aware that most objects in use were made of organic materials: wood, bark, grasses, bone, skins and leather. The ubiquity of their presence in everyday prehistoric life contrasts with their rarity in archaeological finds because they need special environmental conditions for them to survive for thousands of years down to our own day. One example is a bow case found in 2003 in an ice patch at the Schnidejoch pass in the canton of Bern. Dating from 2800 BC and made of birch bark strips, wooden reinforcement rods, leather elements, a piece of rawhide and further organic components, it is the only surviving example of a bow case from the Neolithic. However, the rarity of organic prehistoric objects is matched by our lack of appropriate methods for their restoration and conservation.
Approche
In this project, communication strategies and activities have been developed to raise awareness of the importance of plant materials in Neolithic culture, and to present the biography of this exceptional object.
Résultat
The object is placed centrally in the exhibition room. Next to it is an animation that tells the story of how the bow case was made and its conservation process. A 3D model allows observers to explore its complex construction and technical details and to gain a deeper understanding of birch bark, its degradation and its conservation. Modern reproductions of parts of the bow case are shown to highlight its complex structure. These may be touched and experienced directly in the exhibition. Finally, guided tours and workshops for school classes and families enable us to engage more directly with the public. The Schnidejoch bow case was the focus of the SNSF project “Unfreezing History”, which provided the necessary knowledge for its conservation. The Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern is a project partner and the owner of the bow case. It is now on exhibition at the Bernisches Historisches Museum until May 2026.
