High Tech Romans – Technopolis (Mechelen, Belgium)
On 26 October 2013 High Tech Romans opened up in Technopolis, a science centre for hands-on and technology in Mechelen (Belgium). Although mostly families with young kids visit the center, the 280 experiments in Technopolis are intended for young and old from age 8 until 108.
The new temporary exhibit High Tech Romans occupies part of the ground floor and counts 9 themes of which 8 have interactive installations, exactly what you expect from a science center. It’s the combination with a historic theme that is rather unique, though, and which gives the scientific hands-on center an original approach. And it’s true: the title is anachronistic but probably intended to catch the audience’s attention. That the Romans were bright fellows, we knew, but high tech? Oh yes, it definitely sounds better than plain ‘Roman technology’ but I don’t think I have spotted any chips or nanotechnology.in any of the showcases….
The 9 themes have Latin titles : ARTES (art), COMPUTARE (calculate), ARCHITECTURA (speaks for itself), AQUA (water), ARS MILITARIS (military art), IN VIA (on the road), MACHINAE (machines), LUXURIA (luxury), COMMUNICARE (communication) .The legends and texts can be read in Dutch, French, English and German.
High Tech Romans – Dress up like a Roman
If you want to learn something from this exhibit, you definitely have to roll up your sleeves. You can build an aquaduct with blocks, kind of like what you did when you were 3 ; or put some small furniture together; row in a Roman ship on the beat of a drum; learn to calculate with an abacus, make a mosaic, try out catapults and pulleys or dress up like a Roman soldier with shield and helmet. By the way, did you know that a Roman coat of mail weighed 12 kg?
You can play a kind of memory game on a wall with mirror shelves. When you touch one of the mirrors a Roman object behind it lightens up and it’s up to you to find it’s modern equivalent: the shaving tool corresponds to a shaving knife; a light bulb to an oil lamp ; wallpaper to painted wall fragments.
High Tech Romans – Pick your statue and paint…
Another very fun thing to do is the interactive touchscreen on paint substances. You can pick your preferred statue from a list, paint it on the touchscreen with the colours you want, save it and project it on the wall. Finally, you can text a message in Latin to one your contacts but, strangely enough, my contact did not receive it…
If you’re tired of playing you can watch a movie on Rome and its buildings, admire the archaeological artefacts that complete each theme: a piece of cement floor, mould shapes for bronze pendants or terra sigillata bowls or statues, or a showcase with toys.
In one word, High Tech Romans is a scientific playground where young and old can learn technologies of 2000 years ago that are often still in use.
What I liked the most? Colouring the statues on a touch screen! It’s easy, fun, educational and interactive since your work of art is projected on the wall…
I didn’t enjoy all the games as much – am too impatient for this – but if you’re traveling with kids (age 8 to 108) who are into history AND technology, you might have a real hit with this small exhibition!
Read more: www.technopolis.be
HIgh Tech Romans – Paint your favorite statue…
High Tech Romans – Build an aquaduct
1001museumvisits 