THE TECHNIQUE OF WORK IN GROUP AND ETHNOGRAPHY STUDIES IN TEACHING ON SUBJECT-MATTER “METALS AROUND US”

By VLADZĖS ARCIŠAUSKIENĖ, a chemistry teacher at Pajūris Secondary School,

S.Dariaus ir S.Girėno Street. 35, Pajūris, Šilalės District

Summary

Pajūris, 2005

Every location and town enrich the country’s history by its ancient events, accomplishments and exploits of people. The nation knows itself through history that reflects evolution of society and existence of the nation. Approaching the past of the country strengthens the balance of mind, particularly that of pupils, brightens the perspectives; all this is of great relevance nowadays.

For this reason, when teaching the topic “Metals around us” in 9th class, together with the pupils we decided to investigate of what metals and alloys were made adornments worn by ancient Šilalė inhabitants, how they looked like, in what state are now, from what countries were brought. By remembering facts from technology, history and art, pupils made a correct conclusion that the Lithuanian adornments were essential element of the costume, being an important component of the ancient Lithuanian heritage. For pupils, it was very important to see how those adornments look like nowadays. They learned that at first ancient people used to import raw materials and subsequently manufacture various adornments. Later appears an important technology for manufacturing adornments, namely, soldering, which made a revolution in this sphere. Adornments were made of bronze, (alloy of copper and zinc), tin and silver. When seeing the adornments, the pupils could appreciate the great skills of ancient masters, use of innovations, community traditions, artistic sense, and craftsmanship. The pupils learned that bronze pins, bracelets and necklets prevailed among the findings. Most of these findings were also found in the environs of Šilalė. The costume of 14-16 centuries like a sort of a bridge brought us nearer to the ancient times. It was established that a variety of combinations of nonferrous metals alloys, complicated ornamentation, and often repeated the same decorative elements were used. We saw adornments in the Regional Museum of Šilalė. The pupils examined the appearance of metals and alloys, of which were made the adornments, evaluated the metals and alloys as well as artistic abilities of craftsmen. They concluded that the most attractive and magnificent adornment of the woman’s costume is a pair of cross-like pins with small chains and semi lunar pendants. The pinheads are covered with silver plates. A cap with bronze decorations also adorned the costume, which was characteristic only to Samogitian women. Various pendants of bronze plates were popular decorative elements. For the woman costume in Šilalė region, adornments of the neck and hands, especially spiral necklets and bracelets, were characteristic.

Women used to adorn their heads with caps made of small bronze chains put in lines, a number of which depended on a form of the cap, hemisphere or cone. The Šilalė region women liked to adorn with bronze also other parts of the costume, pinafores among others, as it is evident from findings in Žąsinas, an ancient burial-ground, only the lower part and borders of the pinafore were adorned with bronze elements.

The pupils worked in groups. They decided themselves what adornments to sketch, photograph and describe. Over 30 pupils participated in this work and all were interested in it and had what to do.

Upon analysing the adornments of Šilalė women, the children noted that there are no articles made of gold. A project work entitled “Jeweller’s Art” was carried out. They learned that in 14-18th century Lithuania gold was used to manufacture liturgical things. When carrying out the project, the pupils analysed all trends of jewellery. Ancient gilding techniques were also described: very thin plates were glued on wood or copper, and, later, on iron. Such coating lasted up to 50 years even in case of often used things. Another gilding technique is as follows: an article surface previously smeared with glue was sprinkled with gold powder. Jewels were made of gold alloys with silver, copper, platinum, palladium. The pupils learned that gold with silver is yellowish, gold with copper becomes reddish, and with platinum added gold is whitish. When gold is alloyed with 23,5% of copper, 12,2% of nickel and 6,0% of zinc, we have a white gold of 583 assay. Alloys Au-Cu or Au-Ag are used in odontology.

We analysed in more detail one of the combinations, AuCl₃, which is used for producing of red glass of high quality. The boys were curious if gold is used in medicine. Paracelsus, a 14th century German medical doctor and philosopher, have tried to cure some diseases including syphilis with preparations of gold isotopes. For treatment of malignant tumours, colloidal particles of radioactive gold isotopes are used. All concluded that gold is not a vital element. Its role in organisms is marginal.

The pupils took an enormous interest in the remote past and findings. So we decided to visit legendary localities, including the richest in Lithuania burial-ground, Žviliai. We drew up a scheme of path with elements of both ethnography and natural sciences. We named it as follows: Vaičiai Mound - Biržų Laukas Mound – Žviliai Burial-ground.

First we arrived at the Biržų Laukas and later through the lane Alka we went to Biržų Laukas Mound. The mound is covered with bush so we could not see its beauty. The beauty and majesty of the Nature made a strong impression. A lot of legends are known about this mound. After putting into piles fallen trees, we went to Vaičiai Mound.

Vaičiai Mound, a site of ancient castle, also called Švedkalnis, was used for defence. Ravines of Akmena valley surrounds on the south, west and north side. Hillsides are steep of 20 meters high and murmuring trees remind us that greatness and valour of our ancestors. A cobblestone road still remains to the southwest side from the top of the mound. Nowadays the mound in under protection of the state, any economic activity here is not allowed but on this cobblestone road youngsters avid of impressions like to drive.

Leaving Vaičiai Mound behind us, we turned towards Šilalė and visited a burial-ground, Žviliai, the richest in findings in Šilalė region and in all Lithuania. For children like for archaeologists, stones put in circles around the graves were of particular interest. It looks like sort of tombstones. It is something new and important for science and all of us.

We presented this work at the final ecological festival of our district, “Clean Nature”. We also made a collection of clothes “Cleanness and Elegance”.

The technique of work in group and ethnographical work is effective, interesting for pupils, and up to 25 children may participate in every expedition.

The pupils have obtained a lot of new information, some skills of a chemist; certain abilities and inclinations of pupils were also disclosed. Approaching the past of the country strengthens love for native country, teaches to protect the nature, provides with opportunity to know the life, culture, beliefs, activities and worries of our ancestors; on the whole, it helps to develop the patriotic feelings.

They also acquired knowledge in biology, geography, history, technology, information technologies and medicine. The pupils learned how to communicate between themselves and with people of different age.

It is a factor that influences the learning of the pupils enhancing the need to know. This need is essential in studying, which enhances the motivation to learn and the interest of pupils for chemistry.