European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 19, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Demystifying the past Story and photographs by Andrew Cowin to a Layman Europe s ancient archaeological Sites can be so profoundly mystifying that visiting one often is a demoralizing experience. A discovery that sends experts into rapture often looks like a Mere Muddy Hole filled with pebbles or an unremarkable Grassy Mound. And the poor Layman Slinks away sadder but not in the least bit Wiser. Thank heavens then for Samara in France. It is one of the most exciting and innovative archaeological projects in Europe. The Core of the site is a Large Hill fort nicknamed Caesar s Camp near the Village of la Chaussee Tira court about 10 Miles Northwest of Amiens. The isolated spot once the Home of a flourishing celtic Community is part of an area of unspoiled natural Beauty including a series of interconnected lakes and extensive Marshland fed by the Somme whose latin name is Quot Samara Quot. This combination of history and landscape made Samara the Ideal place for archaeologist Roger a ache to realize his vision of an Quot archaeological environment Quot that is not merely instructive but entertaining too. After an investment of 10 years and about $5 million his dream has become a resounding Success. Samara has attracted tens of thousands of visitors since it opened to the Public in june 1988. Central to the whole concept is the extraordinary futuristic exhibition Center designed by Bruno Lebel. From the outside it looks like a collection of solidified soap bubbles but its Multi domed Interior provides an impressive and spacious setting for an Odyssey through a half million years of human history. The Odyssey begins with the birth of the human spirit following the path of civilization that bridged the nomadic roving of our grunting ape like ancestors and the comforts of the Wattle and Daub huts of our less Distant relatives. It s a Story that most of us yawned through at school or in Glass Cabinet museums but a ache s achievement was to turn it into a fascinating adventure. The secret of Samara s Success is the bold decision to abandon any attempt to show Quot authentic Quot objects. Everything you see is a painstakingly made reconstruction or copy. Although some purists May turn up their noses the advantages Are considerable first you get to see Complete objects rather than a few uninspiring fragments. Second the visitor can literally get the feel of the period by picking up and using the implements in question. Instead of Reading labels you find yourself wielding a Spade made out of a cow s Shoulderblade or maybe grinding some wheat on a Millstone or even lifting the lid off a merovingian grave. And for those who Are determined to sort out the mesolithic from the palaeolithic free guided Tours in English too Are available on request. Outside the policy of creating Quot living archaeology Quot has produced even More striking results. After climbing a Trail that leads to the ancient fort it s rather startling to see a Small prehistoric Village rising out of the Valley below. Each hut has been erected using the techniques appropriate to the period concerned and researchers Are hoping that in coming years they will disclose further insights into the practicalities of prehistoric life. Spending 10 minutes in the gloomy Smoky Interior of a neolithic farmhouse is the Best Way to get an idea of what life was like then. Another interesting feature of Samara is that it is possible to see primeval techniques and crafts being practice and sometimes to have a go yourself. As demonstrators unveil the finer Points of pot making Flint cutting forging Bronze and weaving it becomes Clear How dexterous our ancestors must have been a and How Ham listed we Are in comparison. The next step in Samara s ambitious scheme is to set up a neolithic farm using the techniques of 7,000 years ago. Ideas of actually creating an experimental neolithic Community seem to have foundered on a shortage of volunteers though. Below the Village two other Long term projects Are proceeding apace. First an area of lakes and Marshland is being transformed into a nature Reserve with trails so that those with a Little patience and Luck have a Good Chance of seeing a Broad spectrum of wildlife ranging from weasels to water snakes. Second by the site Entrance an arboretum has been set up a eventually it will contain examples of every tree Bush and Flower native to Northern Europe about 1,000 species in All. And if you have the feeling of going around in circles while there it s hardly surprising because part of the layout is based on the famous labyrinth of Amiens Cathedral. Samara is open daily from 9 . To 8 . During the summer. The entry fee is 48 francs about $8.50 for adults and 35 francs $6 for children. There is a cafeteria and covered picnic facilities Are available. Cowin a resident of Heidelberg West Germany has written articles on european travel and history for various English language publications. Copies of old buildings stand beneath a dome of the exhibition Center at Samara near Amiens France. This futuristic exhibition Center was designed by Bruno Lebel for Roger a ache s archaeological display. 10 stripes Magazine april 19, 1990