Neandertal Wounds (2010)

In Krapina in Croatia, the largest excavation site for fossil remains of the Neanderthal age, a museum was opened adjacent to this site in February 2010. The exhibition provides information on the evolution of the earth and human life, with the focus being on skeletons found in the caves. Early man's injuries and typical illnesses which are visible in the bones can be explored in detail at an interactive media table.

On the table there is a polygonal 3D figure which is equivalent to a Neanderthal man in build and height. When the visitor touches one of the 16 illuminated body parts such as skull, knee or ribcage, an information window opens. X-rays, illustrations and texts illustrate the most common injuries and illnesses, their potential causes, how they would have progressed and what their consequences were.

The information is provided in three languages (Croatian, German and English) and four visitors can use the installation at the same time. This interactive, practically oriented approach was also used for the opening of the exhibition area on the environment: a sheet of ice projected on the floor starts to crack and breaks as soon as a visitor steps on the virtual ice.

The museum was designed by Croatian architect Zeljko Kovacic, while the exhibition was designed by scientist and scenographer Jakov Radovcic.

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