Display of the Prehistoric Boat from Donja Dolina in an Open Exhibition Space

Abstract

The prehistoric boat from Donja Dolina near Bosanska Gradiška was discovered in 1904. After being conserved at that time, it stood from 1914 to 2020 exhibited in a display case on a structure composed of 13 metal supports. From 1992, this exhibition was closed to the public due to wartime events, with the conditions for planning a new permanent exhibition having only been realized in 2015/2016. From the outset of preparations for the new permanent exhibition, a project for the conservation and restoration of the prehistoric boat from Donja Dolina was also planned, which was completed in 2020. Simultaneously, a relocation project was put into action; the metal supporting structure was modified and, with the help of cables, the boat was placed in a structure suspended below the skylight of the exhibition space. Since 2021, the boat has stood freely (i.e. without a display case) in the space between the two floors of the exhibition. This paper provides an additional perspective on the project, examining the installation of the largest object within the permanent exhibition “Bosnia and Herzegovina in Prehistoric Times” and the maintenance activities carried out in
regard to this over the past four years.