Visualization of the prehistoric land-wilderness
An interesting way to get to know the prehistoric wilderness is to visualize it. It is a means that allows us to see behind the curtain of time. One of such projects, coordinated by the European Wilderness Society, is just finishing the first stage. In this step, we present the first phase of prehistoric visualization and show what the prehistoric wilderness looked like in the area of northern Slovakia 5000 years ago. In the picture-in-picture system, we compare it with the picture of the current country.
Today’s and prehistory changes
In today’s fast-paced world, people often notice only what is immediately around them at a given moment and overlook the broader and long-term changes in the landscape. Visualizing these “unknown” changes provides valuable insight into the dynamics of Earth’s diverse natural processes.
Visualization is a process where a picture or a sequence of 2-3 pictures tells us a seemingly invisible story. It is a process also called “Story Behind Scenery”. This is when it dives below the surface of the picturesque landscape and visually, with the help of a picture, reveals seemingly invisible stories hidden behind the surrounding scenery. It is a process that enriches our understanding of the world around us and transforms an ordinary view into a captivating story.
Visualization as an educational tool
Visualizing the prehistoric land is effective tool for understanding our ancient past. By reconstructing the appearance of an ancient land, we explore how various processes shaped habitats, flora, and fauna and so influencing also early human migration and settlement patterns.
Each of us has our own private idea of what the prehistoric landscape looked like. He creates it on the basis of conversation, pictures, the Internet, movies and his own imagination. Visualization of the prehistoric land based on scientific knowledge transformed into a visual form helps us to better understand the complexity of phenomena in the ancient past. In addition, to present this knowledge to the general public in an attractive way.
Example of visualization of prehistoric Wilderness
The visualization of the prehistoric Wilderness in Northern Slovakia, in the Tatra Mountains, is one such example. It is particularly interesting because the students of the local school in the town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, participate in its creation.
Zuzana Lukáčová, a student at the Secondary Vocational Electrical Technical School in Liptovský Hrádok, is a pioneer in this activity. With her talent and interest, she shows the possibilities for her younger classmates. Whether they are individuals skilled in the use of graphic programs or potential draftsmen, those interested and continuing in the graphic depiction of prehistoric wilderness.
This is an interesting form of cooperation. By drawing, Zuzana creates a picture of the landscape from 5,000 years ago, and her younger classmates are in charge of technical support for the public presentation for other students and school staff.
The first public presentation at the school was scheduled for May 13th, 2024.
If you are interested in taking a look at what the prehistoric wilderness looked like in the area of Northern Slovakia 5,000 years ago and comparing it with the current landscape, click here.
Zuzana´s work was supervised by Vlado Vancura, Wilderness Director at European Wilderness Society.
Conclusion
It is important to note that Zuzana’s picture is not complete, yet. It is necessary to continue to draw the details of the forest, the forested islands in the river bed, to add to the forest landscape swamps and bogs, wetlands, etc. The project will therefore continue in the following months. If you are interested in getting more information or joining as a volunteer call +421 907 816 067 or send message to Vlado Vancura, Wilderness Director at the European Wilderness Society: vlado.vancura@wildernes-society.org.
