Throughout history, humans have always left behind crumbs that give us a glimpse into what life was like in the past. From prehistory to the present, artifacts reveal a unique perspective on the area stretching from the Ardennes to the North Sea. The 100 carefully selected objects in this book—utility items alongside masterpieces—show who we are and where we come from.
It begins with the Kesselt hand axe and ends with our world-famous beer culture. A Roman chalice, medieval toy knights, and Merckx's yellow jersey tell of the varied everyday life. A Carolingian sword, a badge with the national tricolor, and a colonial whip bear silent witness to turbulent times.
A group of eminent historians, archaeologists, art historians, linguists, and other experts searched museums and archives for exceptional heritage and stories off the beaten track. This yielded new historical insights. Old objects illuminate the past from a different perspective. And that always surprises, amazes, and astonishes. The interplay of beautiful illustrations and informative texts makes A History of Belgium in 100 Objects irresistible for anyone interested in our rich past.
Amsab employee Donald Weber contributed a piece about the well-known car brand Minerva and the conquest of our public space and our daily lives by King Car in the twentieth century.
A history of Belgium in 100 objects: From prehistory to the present
Edited by Peter Scholliers, Koenraad Verboven, Inge Geysen (et al.)
Tielt: Lannoo, 2024, 544 p.
