The Terramara di Montale open-air archaeological park in Modena hosts a weekend combining contemporary dance with experimental archaeology on October 17 and 18. The program features site-specific dance performances inside the Bronze Age village reconstruction alongside archery demonstrations using flint, bronze, and bone points.
Unesco Cultural Heritage Day Opens Weekend With Dance
Saturday, October 17, marks the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage established by UNESCO. The site hosts “Radici,” a contemporary dance experience staged as part of “Materica. Il movimento che semina cultura,” a project created by the CSI territorial committee of Modena-Aps. Five dance schools from Modena and surrounding provinces take part in performances scheduled at 14:30, 15:15, 16:00, 16:45, and 17:30 UTC+2. Each exhibition is preceded by a guided tour led by park staff through the reconstructed earth-and-wood dwellings and craft areas. Participation is free, but reservations are required through the park’s official website.
Experimental Archaeology Demonstrates Bronze Age Weaponry
Sunday, October 18, shifts focus to experimental archaeology with “A colpi di freccia,” a dedicated program examining shooting weapons and ancient warrior technology. Archaeologist Monia Barbieri and bowyer Marco Bonini lead sessions analyzing arrowheads recovered from terramara sites, alongside reference to Ötzi the Iceman’s bow and quiver and Bronze Age burials. Participants examine replica arrows tipped in flint, bronze, and bone, testing their effectiveness against targets designed to simulate ancient defensive armor. Visitors can also try archery firsthand alongside archers from the Società dei Vai, with all demonstrations and shooting trials included in the park admission ticket.
Multimedia Installations Expand Visitor Access
Visits to the Montale site are further supplemented by new multimedia installations that merge real and virtual elements to increase accessibility and immersion. The exhibits provide deeper context on the daily lives of the Bronze Age communities that once inhabited the settlement, complementing the live performances and hands-on archaeological workshops scheduled across the weekend.
Worth a look
