The Archaeological Museum of Alicante a new exhibition brings the public closer to the secrets of the Hallstatt cultureThe salt mining industry, a civilisation that developed in northern Austria between the Bronze and Iron Ages, made mineral salt a more precious commodity than gold. About 250 pieces from the Museum of Natural History Vienna make up this international exhibition that will remain at MARQ. until 7 January 2014.
Under the heading "The Kingdom of Salt.7.000 years of Hallstatt history", the exhibition brings together numerous archaeological treasures found over the past centuries in the prehistoric cemetery and salt mines of the Austrian town. This exceptional site, UNESCO World Heritage Site The site is unique in the world because, thanks to the salt, it has managed to keep the vestiges of the different cultures that have inhabited the site for centuries practically intact.
A deer antler spike dating to between 5060-4800 B.C., a transport bag 13th century BC. made from cowhide or a bronze deep bowl The most outstanding pieces in this exhibition, which is being presented for the first time in the Vienna Museum, are some of the most outstanding pieces in the 7th century BC, decorated with the figure of a cow on the handle, and which are among the most outstanding pieces in this exhibition, which is being presented for the first time in the Vienna Museum. first time in Spain. In addition, the exhibition includes a unique collection of organic material preserved thanks to the effects of salt and almost impossible to find in arid places such as the SE of the Iberian Peninsula.
The President of the Alicante Provincial Council Luisa Pastor presented this morning the exhibition and announced that Her Majesty Queen Sofia has accepted chair the Honorary Committee of the Exhibition. From the provincial institution we would like to thank him for this important gesture and highlight the interest he has always shown towards this museum in Alicante.said the President.
Also taking part in the presentation ceremony were the Deputy for Culture Juan Bautista RosellóThe Director of the Department of Prehistory of the Natural History Museum Vienna and curator of the exhibition Anton Kernthe Technical Director of MARQ Manuel Olcinaas well as the ASISA delegate in Alicante. Federico Ballenilla and the managing director of the Cajamurcia Foundation Pascual Martínezboth of which are sponsors of the exhibition.
We are proud to be able to host this valuable collection that allows visitors to learn about the life and times of Hallstatt, a civilisation that made salt a more precious commodity than gold. It is precisely this mineral that links this enclave and its history with the province of Alicante. We are all familiar with the beauty of the natural parks and salt mines of Santa Pola, Torrevieja and, less well known but also interesting, the salt deposits in Pinoso and Villena.said the President.
The tour of the exhibition, which measures approximately 650 square metres, begins with the projection of a audiovisual presentation that introduces the visitor to the contents of the exhibition.The 25-minute documentary tells the story of the history of Hallstatt, the salt mining process, the origin of the artefacts found and the importance of the archaeological sites.
Moving on to the content of the exhibition, the first room deals with such aspects as the origin of salt in Hallstattthe discovery of the mines 7,000 years ago or the mining techniques from the 15th century to.C. In this space there is a wooden staircase 3500 years old located in 2003 in a perfect state of preservation.
In the following room mines are described at their peakThe site is also reflected in the fact that in the 10th century B.C. one of the wells reached a length of 200 metres. In addition, the economic importance of Hallstatt at the time, when it was the only supplier of rock salt in the Eastern Alps, and explains the miners' way of life through elements such as a characteristic stew based on millet, barley, beans and pork, which is still part of the local cuisine today.
The end of the mining industry in Hallstattcaused by landslides and floods during the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, the cultural heritage that the current saline exploitation has entailed, or the difficulties involved in archaeological work that are being carried out in the area today, are some of the issues that are analysed in the third room.
Anton Kern emphasised the importance of this international exhibition of unique exhibits, some of which are leaving the Natural History Museum in Vienna for the first time, and which offer a reliable insight into life in Hallstatt.
With the aim of providing visitors with a total sensory impression, these areas sounds and smells are recreated, at computer projections and animations are on the horizon and are presented objects accessible to the touch.
The exhibition set-up also reserves a space in which the importance of salt in the historical evolution of the province is highlighted.from its origins as a basic substance for the preservation of foodstuffs to the different uses during the Iberian and Roman periods. It also deals with salt mining in modern timeswhere Alicante has achieved great notoriety thanks to the alfolies or sales outlets, which enable the distribution of this mineral throughout Europe, as well as in contemporary timesThe salt production as we know it today is explained.
This module includes the projection of another audiovisual,"Alicante.Land and Sea of Salt", which addresses the history of the process of salt extraction in the province and its influence on the different erasThe exhibition, from prehistoric times to the present day, with special emphasis on the municipalities of Santa Pola, Pinoso, Villena and Torrevieja.
In this regard, Manuel Olcina explained that through this space we wanted to highlight the history of salt production in the province and show lesser known aspects such as the fact that in Pinoso there is a mineral salt exploitation that is transported to Torrevieja.. He added that in Alicante there is salt exploitation in the three known systems, coastal sea salt by salt pans, mineral rock salt and also inland salt pans such as those of Villena..
The exhibition, which is the result of a collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Vienna, is also complemented by the edition of a catalogue which collects comprehensive information on the work in the Hallstatt salt mines since Neolithic times.as well as the research that is still being carried out to this day in this enclave.
