The “Stratorama” model of the layers of the earth

One of the highlights of the permanent exhibition is undoubtedly the “Stratorama”, a large stratigraphic diorama. In archaeology, the word “stratigraphic”, a combination of Latin and Greek roots, describes a process of determining the age of a finding using a vertical excavation showing a series of layers. A diorama is life-sized, realistic, three-dimensional representation of a specific situation to help the viewer truly visualise what is being described. The Brandenburg artist Thomas Bartel, who for years regularly worked as an archaeological dig technician, created this “Stratorama”, a six-metre high cut-out of an excavation covering 33 m² underneath a scene of a house. The viewer is thus treated to an unusual and exciting perspective for non-archaeologists, with a sequence of layers starting from the present, at street level, going literally all the way down to the Ice Age. Naturally developed earth alternates with layers that have been “disrupted” by human activity. ?Archaeological findings and artefacts from all ages in the history of settlements can therefore be seen in their natural order through time. The humans of the time had no idea that they were living in a “stone”, “bronze” or “iron” age. There was no way of tracking time back then. Visitors curious as to how archaeologists can state the age of their findings with such certainty can therefore see this completely for themselves with the Stratorama. Organic findings, the remains of a bluff dam that can be determined via dendrochronology, grave offerings such as jewellery and pottery, buried coins, the nature of the respective excavation zone – all this gives the visitor to the exhibition insights into the exciting work of the “hunters of lost treasures”.
The Stratorama is made from artificial materials such as Styropor, Styrodur polystyrene and construction adhesive and is one of the visual and tactile attractions of the State Archaeology Museum, setting a pioneering standard for modern exhibition concepts.

www.thomasbartel.de