This unique Venus, dating from the final Neolithic or the first phase of the Chalcolithic, was found thanks to preventive excavations linked to the imminent construction of a ring road in the Silesian capital. Only the lower part of the statuette, with legs, accentuated hips and belly, has survived. The terracotta torso measures about six centimetres.

The Venus d' Opava [Credit: CT24]

According to archaeologists of the local branch of the Academy of Sciences, the statuette, created around 4,200 BC by the people of Lengyel's culture, covering mainly Hungary, Slovakia and Upper Silesia, served as a pagan cult object. For archaeologist Kateřina Papáková, the dig manager, it is an exceptional discovery: "Several torsos of Palaeolithic female statuettes were discovered in the 1980s in Velké Hoštice, in the region of Opava. But these torsos differ from our Venus in their form. The statuette we discovered bears features of Eastern European cultures, specifically the Trypillia culture of the territory of present-day Ukraine."

The Venus d' Opava, which looks like the famous Venus de Věstonice, the oldest ceramic figurine in the world discovered in South Moravia, is less robust than the other female statuettes found in the Czech territory.

The Venus d' Opava [Credit: CT24]

The discovery of the figurine is the fruit of chance. The excavations in Opava, during which archaeologists uncovered part of a prehistoric settlement, including four buried huts, were completed last October. Archaeologists at the Academy of Sciences have found a multitude of objects on the site, such as ceramic fragments, various tools and weights for fishing nets. Covered with a good layer of mud, the prehistoric statuette was not discovered until last week, however, when the cataloguing of the finds took place.

"During the course of this year, the statuette will be subjected to various analyses" explains Kateřina Papáková. "We also want to make a three-dimensional model using a 3D scanner. And as of next year, the Venus, as well as other objects found during excavations, could be on display to the public."

Source: Czech Radio [February 12, 2018]

During their expeditions against the various barbarian tribes, the Roman armies reached the territory of the present city of Brno. This is at least the conclusion of recent archaeological excavations that have brought to light a Roman camp dating from the second century AD in the capital of Moravia.

Credit: Archaia Brno

This is an important discovery for Moravian archaeology, and not only. Archaeologists in Brno have found, thanks to preventive excavations related to the upcoming construction of two new houses, the very first trace of the presence of Roman soldiers in the city. The remains of the former military camp are located on Vojtova Street, not far from the center of the metropolis. The archaeologist Václav Kolařík of the company Archaia, in charge of these excavations, presents the find:

Credit: Archaia Brno

"This camp dates from the time of the Marcomannic Wars. Between the years 166 and 180 of our era, the Romans were at war with Germanic tribes of the Middle Danube. This camp was built during the Roman offensive, between 172 and 180."

Credit: Archaia Brno

During the second century, the devastation caused by the invasions of the barbaric peoples, especially the Germanic tribes, in the Roman Empire forced the Roman armies, under the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, to go to Barbaricum, a territory beyond the control of Rome. Several military camps were thus also built in the territory of present-day Moravia, the eastern part of the Czech Republic, inhabited at the time by the Marcomanni and Quadi.

Credit: Archaia Brno

In the past, a Roman camp was discovered in the town of Modřice, not far from Brno. It is, however, mainly the region of Břeclav, in South Moravia, which was the theatre of Roman expeditions against the Barbarians.

Credit: Archaia Brno

"On their way north of the Danube, the Romans built camps that ensured their advance on the territory of the Barbarians. In the Czech Republic, the largest concentration of these camps lies near the lakes of Nové Mlýny, in Mušov, and then in Přibice and Ivaň. Other camps were also discovered in central Moravia, notably in Olomouc, near the towns of Kroměříž and Hulín, and in Jevíčko", explains Václav Kolařík.

Credit: Archaia Brno

Unlike the Mušov camp, where several stone buildings were built, the Brno camp served only as a temporary space of small capacity, which could not accommodate more than one unit of Roman soldiers. The tents, erected on a surface of several hundred square meters, were protected by a rampart.

Credit: Archaia Brno

"It was one of the points of support of the Romans on their way to Barbaricum. It is located on the Svratka River, near a major ford. The aim of the camp was to keep watch over this ford and thus ensure that the Roman soldiers securely advanced into the interior of the country. It also functioned as a supply station for units that had already crossed the river."

Credit: Archaia Brno

But for Václav Kolařík, this discovery has yet another important side: "In the remains of the Roman military camps, it is sometimes possible to find some objects used by the soldiers. These discoveries are however rare. In Brno, we discovered a ceramic pot, almost intact, used to prepare meals. This pot broke and the soldiers abandoned it on the spot. We also found a bronze ornament that was part of the armour of Roman legionaries."

Excavations will be completed in mid-January. All objects found will then be deposited in the Museum of the city of Brno.

Source: Czech Radio [January 13, 2018]

Two interesting communications of note have come from Brother Jacques Huyghebaert at the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic in the last two weeks.

The first has to do with a report last month that the Grand Orients of France and Belgium were opening a bureau in Brussels to influence European Union policies on religion:

To All Grand Lodges in amity
Prague, 23rd February 2010
Subject : European Masonic Bureau in Brussels

Dear Sir and Very Worshipful Brother,
Following recent reports in the European Press, published in the Czech Republic, according to which "the Masons" are hoping to open a bureau in Brussels to "to lobby against the rising influence of religious organisations in the EU institutions," our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Hynek Beran, accepted last week an invitation for an interview by Czech Television during which he was able to clarify the position of our Grand Lodge on this matter.

The 10 minute interview which was broadcast live on Friday 19th February 2010 is available at http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ivysilani/210411058060219-pred-polednem-zpravodajsky-blok/ Attached herewith is a copy of the English version of the Press Release which our Grand Lodge has issued in order to dissociate ourselves entirely in the eyes of the Czech public from a politically motivated initiative, which in our view has no place in Freemasonry.

Freemasonry was revived after the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, and is currently enjoying an excellent reputation in the Czech Republic, it being generally considered as a highly respectable organisation based on impeccable moral integrity. It is useful to know in this context that pre World War II Czechoslovakia was the only country in Europe whose President was a Freemason and that during both the Nazi occupation and the Soviet era the Masonic Order was suppressed and Freemasons persecuted.

This TV interview therefore was very important for us to preserve the good image of Freemasonry and to dissociate our Grand Lodge in the public opinion from Grand Orient Freemasonry. Public reaction to the interview, shows approval by the Czech viewers of our Grand Lodge’s attitude to refuse as a matter of principle to get involved in any political and religious issues.

Fraternal greetings
Jacques HUYGHEBAERT
Grand Secretary for External Relations
mailto:grandlodge@freemasonry.cz

The second message comes in the wake of the pronouncement by the Grand Master of Arkansas prohibiting mainstream Freemasons from purchasing state-issued Freemason license plates because they benefit a Prince Hall charity. The GL of Arkansas does not recognize its Prince Hall counterpart:

Brethren,

This may be an insignificant gesture, from a small and distant Grand Lodge
in central Europe, but considering the unfortunate racial discrimination
which still seems to prevail at the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, the Grand
Lodge of The Czech Republic is not willing to establish fraternal relations
with it, but will gladly do so with the MWPHGL of Arkansas.

The GL of the Czech Republic is currently in amity with about 200 Grand
Lodges worldwide including those Prince Hall Grand Lodges which have
responded positively to our invitations to establish fraternal relations

S&F

Jacques Huyghebaert, MPS life
& GS for External Relations
Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic
grandlodge@freemasonry.cz