We invite you to view the banner exhibition created by the Museum of the Origins of the Polish State in Gniezno, which explores the conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific speculations surrounding what allegedly took place on Polish soil long before Mieszko I. The aim of the exhibition is to debunk the myth of Great Lechia, and it does so by analysing selected pro-Great Lechia arguments and demonstrating that a research methodology is essential to the pursuit of science.

For about a decade, the internet has been flooded with information about the heroic ancestors of modern Poles, known as the Lechites, or less commonly as the Aryo-Slavs or Slavs. Why heroic? Because as early as 2000 BC they possessed the ability to work metals, invented the wheel, established fortified settlements, understood democracy, had their own currency and a warlike army which fought victorious battles against Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. As if that were not enough, they used their own script. If so, why is their history shrouded in mystery? Supporters of Great Lechia have a ready answer: the ancient books of the Lechites were treacherously stolen by Catholic clergy, who ordered the destruction of every trace of Lechite power. Archaeologists and historians have aided and continue to aid in this cruel scheme, for the proverbial thirty pieces of silver. The German occupier also played a part in concealing the truth.

The exhibition’s organisers have set out to explain exactly what makes the notion of Great Lechia so absurd. The counter-arguments presented expose the complete lack of any professional competence among the proponents of Great Lechia, who categorically reject scientific methods. In doing so, they regress to the period before the second half of the 19th century, when the scientific disciplines, including history and archaeology, were only just beginning to take shape.

“Great Lechia – Great Nonsense” is an interventionist exhibition. It addresses our current attitude towards history, particularly ancient history, where there are more questions than certain answers. The main aim of the exhibition is to encourage reflection and discussion, and ideally – to prompt action to prevent the emergence and spread of theories such as Great Lechia. Equally important is convincing the exhibition’s visitors that the study of history makes sense, especially today, in the age of digitalisation and ‘fake news’. However, it should not be based on ‘cramming dates’, but rather on developing a critical approach.

The pseudoscientific views presented in the exhibition do not in any way reflect the views of the authors or the exhibition organiser.

The exhibition is organised by the Museum of the Origins of the Polish State in Gniezno

Exhibition curators:

Artur Wójcik (Sigillum Authenticum)

Ewelina Siemianowska (MPPP)

Dariusz Stryniak (MPPP)