Institutul Francez din România, Institutul de Cercetări Eco-Muzeale „Gavrilă Simion” Tulcea, Laboratoire GEODE și Muzeul Municipiului București, invite you to explore an exhibition that reconstructs a lost Eneolithic landscape, now hidden beneath the waters and sediments of the Danube River.
Entitled “On Land and Water: The Inhabitants of the Danube Delta 6,500 Years Ago,” the exhibition is focused on the story of agro-pastoral communities who lived at the border of land and water, constantly adapting to climate change and the rising level of the Black Sea. Through a multidisciplinary approach, visitors will uncover the ecological challenges and fragile relationship between humans and the Danube Delta ecosystems over millennia.
The opening took place on today, 11th of December 2024, at Suțu Palace (Bd. I.C. Brătianu, No. 2, Bucharest), the headquarters of the Bucharest Municipality Museum. The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency, Mr Nicolas Warnery, Ambassador of France to Romania.
Visiting “On Land and Water: The Inhabitants of the Danube Delta 6,500 Years Ago” allows you to discover how the Chalcolithic “Gumelnița” communities utilised natural resources, practising agriculture, fishing, and animal husbandry along a branch of the Danube, as well as how environmental changes shaped their lives.
“French archaeological missions worldwide represent an exceptional tool for cultural and scientific dialogue. The mission led by Laurent Carozza since 2010 has enabled remarkable collaborations. It offers us insight into how our ancestors inhabited this region of the Danube Delta and faced challenges related to climate change and the impact of their activities on the habitat and daily life.” – Julien Chiappone-Lucchesi, General Director of the French Institute in Romania, Advisor for Cooperation, Science, and Culture at the French Embassy in Romania.
Archaeological research at Taraschina reveals how the gradual rise in the Black Sea level transformed ecosystems, leading to flooding, submergence of lowlands, and the formation of the Danube Delta. Affected populations were forced to abandon their territories and migrate to safer areas, a theme that resonates with the current global challenges of interdependence between societies and their environments.
Following extensive investigations conducted in the Danube Delta as part of the Franco-Romanian archaeological mission, the exhibition showcases the following sources of inspiration and information:
- Original artefacts from the Gumelnița culture
- Detailed reconstructions of Eneolithic daily life
- Recent discoveries from archaeological and geographical research
“The ‘Gavrilă Simion’ Eco-Museum Research Institute in Tulcea, established to promote the natural and cultural heritage of the Danube Delta region in the interest of society, collaborated with its partners in the ‘Archéologie du delta du Danube’ mission to bring this exceptional exhibition project to life. This endeavour aligns perfectly with our objectives. We extend our gratitude to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Embassy in Romania, and the French Institute for their unwavering support of our research projects. Finally, we express deep respect for the activities of French researchers in Romania and their efforts in studying and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of our country.” – Cristian Leonard Micu, Director of the ‘Gavrilă Simion’ Eco-Museum Research Institute in Tulcea.
”On Land and Water: The Inhabitants of the Danube Delta 6,500 Years Ago” offers a fascinating journey through the history of this region and challenges us to reflect on our relationship with the environment and how human adaptation can address global ecological crises.
“The GEODE research laboratory celebrates this 15-year-long Franco-Romanian scientific collaboration, established within the ‘Archaeology of the Danube Delta’ mission, now embodied in this exhibition dedicated to one of the six major societal challenges promoted by CNRS: climate change. We applaud the continued support of the French Embassy in Bucharest, the French Institute in Romania, and the excavation committee – indispensable partners for conducting archaeological and interdisciplinary research in the Danube Delta.” – Laurent Carozza, Head of the Archaeology of the Danube Delta Mission (2010–2025).
The event is part of the celebrations marking the Centennial of the French Institute in Romania, elegantly reaffirming 100 years of Franco-Romanian cooperation.
Exhibition Details:
FB Event: https://shorturl.at/D1cLc
Location: Suțu Palace, Bd. I.C. Brătianu, No. 2, Bucharest
Exhibition Period: 11 December 2024 – 30 March 2025
⏰ Visiting Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM)
Access:
️ Ticket Prices for Suțu Palace:
13 RON – standard ticket
6 RON – reduced ticket (retirees, military personnel, pupils, students)
Tickets available online via Booktes: https://booktes.com/cumpara/palatul-sutu-muzeul-municipiului-bucuresti
“Between 11 December 2024 and 30 March 2025, embark on a captivating journey through the distant past of the Danube Delta at Suțu Palace, where land and water reveal the story of human adaptation to profound ecological changes.” – Vasile Octavian Opriș, Head of the Systematic Archaeology and History Department of the Bucharest Municipality Museum.
Organisers: French Institute in Romania, Bucharest Municipality Museum – Suțu Palace, ‘Gavrilă Simion’ Eco-Museum Research Institute in Tulcea, GEODE Laboratory