Ancient Belarus display opens at National History Museum

This is, probably, the only place in the country showing such a wide range of items, dating from early man until the 18th century.

In 1993, the hall was revamped. However, it has been looking ‘old-fashioned’ again in terms of display methods. The National History Museum’s director, Oleg Ryzhkov, has made efforts to ‘refresh’ the existing set up, over the last three months. Electricians have added new lighting, and cards have been added in Belarusian, Russian and English. Meanwhile, the interior has been newly decorated.

The layout remains the same but the changes are obvious, with exhibits displayed more ‘freely’, without being so cramped. Each one is individually illuminated, subtly, thanks to new lamps.

Mr. Ryzhkov tells us, “We’re only now displaying originals, having taken away all replicas. Visitors should see ‘real history’. This exhibition is like a reference book for the roots of Belarusian character.”

The museum shows ceramic items and decorations used by our ancestors, indicating the gods to which they prayed (there’s a pagan idol from Shklov, as well as Christian, Judaic and Muslim relics), and which books were read (the range of languages is impressive). You can see how the Fatherland was defended from the times when people wore animal skins and shot from bows until the days when they wore armour and used swords.