La Sabline
Lussac-les-Châteaux, France
The museum of prehistory, La Sabline, is comprised of a house for youth and culture (MJC 21), a media library and an exhibition. The museum is focused on prehistory and culture, and has national stature as a Musée de France. dUCKS developed the permanent exposition as well as the outdoor trail.
The approach of the exposition is educational, albeit with a slightly humorous twist, put in a simple esthetic framework. This is especially the case in the space dedicated to 'men and the arts' which shows several exceptional engravings of faces.
The first room is organized around an archeological grid (carroyage), putting the visitor in the role of discoverer, investigator, archeologist... The surrounding presentation modules address via hands-on manipulations or games, the multidisciplinary nature of archeological work.
The second space focuses on the living circumstances and lifestyle of the Paleolithic men. Here, common objects of the time are presented in showcases mixed with interpretative and didactic graphics.
The last room, named “art gallery” exposes engraved stones. The engravings are of an exceptionally high quality. Some show animals, others have human figures with remarkable detail and expression. The engravings and other items in this room are presented as fine jewelry, with subtle lighting highlighting the delicate engravings and detailing.
