Local Archeological Findings
The Trebic area, and its southern part in particular, has been densely populated throughout the entire history of humankind, from prehistory to the present. The evidence concerning the settlement of this region is collected and housed by the West-Moravian Museum where visitors can see a lot of interesting exhibits. Only fragments of these collections and exhibits can be introduced to you here on these pages.
Dating from the oldest prehistoric times it is a unique and at the European level very special instrument: a crystal blade found near Mohelno that comes from the Paleolithic culture named szeletien (39 000-35 000BC).
The transitional period between the late Neolithic and the early Eneolithic is represented by two unique human-representing ceramic statuettes, coming from the Morava-based culture of makers of painted ceramics. The first of the two statuettes is the well-known Stepanovicka Venuse (The Stepanovice Idol) found in Stepanovice, a location once settled by this culture (4000 BC).
Coupled statuette of man and woman - second of the two ceramic statuettes which depicts sexual intercourse as a representation of procreative powers (4000 BC).
The Early Bronze Age is represented by a bronze dagger of Italian origin from the beginning of the second millennium BC found in the River Jihlava near Trebic.
Early Celtic settlements in this region are evidenced by the bronze brooch with bird's head dating from the fifth century BC, which was found in an upland location Hradisko near Kramolín.
The times of the Roman Empire are represented by an in this region very unique earthen mold of beardless man's relief bust with features attesting to its Roman or rather Roman-provincial origin. This mold was used to cast small bronze busts.
The Middle Ages are characteristic of impressive two-handed swords, frequently taller than the knight himself, several of which are on view in the West-Moravian Museum. These swords were rather common already in the 14th century but it was from the mid-15th century to the mid-16th century when the use of these swords was in full swing. They were a common part of foot soldier's (lancknecht's) gear. Lancknechts were elite mercenaries frequently in charge of defense of the flag or the commander and therefore their pay was double the pay of an ordinary soldier.
Another exhibit, executioner's sword from 1602, has a lot to do with medieval justice. The City of Třebíč was granted the right of capital punishment together with some other privileges in 1335 (this right was abolished as late as 1755). Executioner's sword has on both sides of its blade an inscription that reads: "Whenever I raise this sword I wish eternal life to all these pitiable sinners. My masters impede evil and I carry out the sentence." Besides the sword, several other pieces of instruments and equipment, such as thumbscrews, joint crushers, shackles and remnants of the foundations under the gallows on what is today called Rafaelova Street (Rafaelova ulice), have survived up to these days.
A real highlight of the museum collections is the moving Nativity Scene made by Mr. Josef Cincera (1865-1942) with statuettes carved from wood in the early 20th century.
The West-Moravian Museum also has a branch facility in Moravské Budejovice where you can see a spectacular exhibition of vanishing handicrafts located in onetime butcher's market. If you let in a bit of nostalgia that will take you to the fantastic atmosphere of far-off times, you can explore the workshops of a potter, a blacksmith, a kettle-smith, a cooper, a saddler, a shoemaker, a net-maker, or of a wheelwright. You can also visit another branch facility of the West-Moravian Museum, based in Jemnice, whose collections focus mainly on gold and silver, which were mined here in the Middle Ages.
