Archaeological Open-Air Museum

The State Archaeological Service (RACM) was situated in Amersfoort for decades. One of the most impressive archaeological campaigns were the 1970s excavations of Dorestad at Wijk bij Duurstede. This led to the idea of reconstructing one of the longhouses but where? In their own back yard?

Although possibly Romans but surely Irish monks had gone before the Vikings, Iceland’s foundation is calculated as having started in 874. Iceland was an independent commonwealth when in 1104 the volcano Hekla in the southern region of Árnessýsla erupted, it had a devastating effect on the rivervalley of Þjórsá.

Haukadalur is an area in the Northwest of the country. This was the home of the famous Erik the Red, around the year 1000 AD. He first became famous after he was sent into exile due to several murders committed. He was forced to leave the island and sailed west and hit on Greenland.

The Koggmuseet is situated near the city centre of Malmö, where in the past the high speed ferry left to Copenhagen. Since 2000, when there is a bridge connection across the Öresund, this ferry harbour is unnecessary anymore and traffic between Sweden and Denmark has been abundant.

The French-German border cuts straight through a complex of archaeological sites, most of which date to the Iron Age & Roman Era. A perfect occasion to explain that our present borders are in our minds, not in reality. Archaeologist Jean Schaub founded the European Culture park at both sides of the border – in France at Bliesbruck, in Germany at Gersheim-Reinheim.

In 1978, a very rich Celtic grave mound at Hochdorf, a few kilometres North of Stuttgart was the archaeological sensation of the year. It was a very rich grave of about 550 BC and contained grave goods one had not dreamed of before.

One of the most well known structures of the late Viking Age are the round fortresses, like at Aggersborg, Fyrkat and Trelleborg, both the one in Sweden and the one in Denmark near Slagelse. Unlike its Skånske counterpart, the Slagelse Trelleborg has never been overbuilt. The ruins were still visible at excavation and the earthen rampart is now rebuilt up to its original size: 180 metres in diameter.

Bornholm's Medieval Center, founded in 1996, is a historical experience center with a focus on the years 1300-1450, situated on 14 hectares of scenic surroundings with rivers, forests and rocky outcrops. The medieval center's main attraction is a fortified grand mansion with towers and frescoed farmhouse as well as other buildings for daily chores, surrounded by an earthen wall with palisade. In addition, the medieval center includes a small watermill, a number of smaller craft houses, gardens and path systems and spaces for various old animal breeds. There are also daily firings with various old gun types.

Ertebølle is a famous Danish Mesolithic site. In the 19th century, a large so called ‘køkkenmødding’ (shell midden) was excavated. The diet in those days was mainly seafood. Other more recently excavated Ertebølle (ca 5,300 BC-3,950 BC) sites are Skateholm and Tybrind Vig.

The Schmidatal in Niederösterreich, not far from Vienna, is known for its wines and has a rich history. During excavations not far from Grosswetzdorf a Neolithic monument was discovered. It exists of a combination of circles of large piles and deep ditches. It might have been an (astronomical?) monument, possibly linked to burial rituals.