Inanimate Objects Have You Then A Soul? The Use Before Reuse

Aug 29, 2026

Upload by Liam

The Athens University History Museum, as part of European Academic Heritage Day on Sunday, November 18th, 2012, is hosting a family-friendly learning activity titled "Inanimate objects have you then a soul? the use before reuse." This activity is designed for children aged 5-8 years old and aims to educate them about object preservation, conservation, and museum handling through interactive methods. Participants will explore concepts such as the lifespan of objects, the importance of protecting both everyday and museum artifacts, and the principles of preventive conservation. The activity will utilize specific exhibits, including a 19th-century portrait, an 1823 Atlas of Anatomy, and a dental chair from circa 1880, as focal points for discussion and hands-on learning. Through observation, touch, role-playing, and engaging dialogue, children will uncover the secrets of handling museum and everyday objects, understand their history before being acquired by the museum, and ponder the deeper meaning of inanimate objects and their connection to the human soul, inspired by a quote from Alphonse de Lamartine's poem "Milly ou la Terre Natale." This is a free activity, and interested individuals can obtain further information by contacting +30210 368 9502 – 06.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Learning Activity

Inanimate Objects Have You Then A Soul?

The Use Before Reuse

FAQs

What is the age range for the "Inanimate objects have you then a soul? the use before reuse" activity?

The learning activity is specifically addressed to families and children aged 5-8 years old.

What topics will be covered in the activity?

The activity will cover topics such as defining the expiry date of an object, protecting everyday and museum objects, preventive conservation, and museum handling.

What specific exhibits will be used as starting points for the activity?

Exhibits such as the portrait of N. Saripolos, the Atlas of Anatomy (1823), and a dental chair dated around 1880 will serve as starting points for the activity.

Aug 29, 2026

Upload by Liam