Archeologische opgravingen bij een terp, Tószeg 1928

Curator: This photograph, titled "Archeologische opgravingen bij een terp, Tószeg," from 1928, captures an archeological dig site. It's a striking document of early archeological methods, taken by Jan Lanting. Editor: My initial impression is one of stark simplicity. The monochrome palette and rather harsh light really highlight the raw textures and forms of the excavation. It has a somewhat foreboding quality. Curator: The photograph highlights the societal interest in our past and how knowledge about it has come into being through sometimes destructive processes, as excavation inherently alters the site. Think about the museum's role in this process too. Editor: Yes, and the formal structure here supports that narrative. The geometric layers of the dig contrast dramatically with the more natural, untouched land at the top. It really emphasizes human intervention and division of the land. The contrast in texture directs my eyes, almost physically digging into the composition. Curator: It also tells a story about nation building. Archeology as a discipline, from the late 19th to the mid 20th century, played a crucial role in forging a national identity. Editor: I see how this aligns. Compositionally, there is an interplay of light and shadow. But also how it reveals the verticality that emphasizes height. It is subtle. Is the photograph playing with ideas of elevation as power or national dominance? Curator: The photograph’s composition encourages that interpretation, while the act of unearthing speaks to a collective desire to ground national identity in a perceived history, potentially manipulating artifacts or the historical narrative itself. It really pushes you to question authority and established narratives. Editor: It has this power also due to its tones of black and white which are not flat but a bit mottled which has an aging quality. I appreciate the complexity between technique and the narrative implied within. Curator: It really shows how much information can be conveyed even in the simple rendering of dirt, light, and shadow. Editor: Absolutely.