What have they ever done for us? High Tech Romans
The interactive exhibition High Tech Romans at Technopolis in Mechelen introduces visitors to innovations developed during the time of the Roman Empire
Technopolis exhibition illustrates never-ending Roman influence
Via the various creations of the Romans, Technopolis gives a historical background to many of our current basic methods in areas such as engineering. The Romans constructed complex bridges and aqueducts that still impress professionals today, and they could only build these because they had also developed state-of-the-art mechanical installations like cranes.
Two thousand years ago, the Romans already had plumbing systems and sewers, the floors in many houses were heated, and doors could be locked with a key.
High Tech Romans covers nine themes: water, architecture, military, crafts, communication, arithmetic, roads, luxury and machines. For every theme there are interactive installations, complemented with showcases full of archaeological finds from the northern part of the Roman Empire.
Hands-on history
At the military installation, visitors can shoot with a mini ballista, a Roman siege weapon designed like a huge crossbow. Next to the installation, original Roman spears are on display. The architecture installation challenges visitors to place tiles on a roof according to the Roman method, while real Roman roof tiles are on show.
The artefacts are part of the collections of the LVR-LandesMuseum in Bonn and the Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, while Museon in The Hague is also a partner in the project. Technopolis has also created an educational kit for students in the first level of secondary education, a thematic science show, demo and workshops.
Until 31 August, 2014
Technopolis, Mechelen
www.technopolis.be
photo by Bart Nijs
