The archaeological finds at the main excavation site in Niederweimar cover a period of at least 9000 years and are presented in five 'time stations' on the 'Zeiteninsel': the Mesolithic, the Neolithic, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Germanic peoples of the early Roman Empire. Each station "relives" an archaeological period and consists of buildings and fields (except for the Mesolithic). They are embedded in the reconstructed landscape of the respective period.
Construction of the first station, a Neolithic longhouse over 30 metres long, began in 2017, and the Germanic farmstead from the early Roman period was built in 2018/19. Finally, in summer 2020, the Bronze Age station was erected. In 2021/22, the Middle Stone Age and Iron Age stations were built. As the last building before the official opening, an entrance building will be erected in autumn 2024.
Living history and demonstrations are part of the concept. Since 2014, there has been a series of workshops on various ancient techniques. The "Zeiteninsel" will not only be a place of lifelong learning and development of "ancient skills" for students. There will also be guided tours and events with different actors and archaeotechnicians. Our main focus is on hands-on activities with visitor participation, but there will also be demonstrations of many ancient crafts.
Although the Archaeological Open-Air Museum does not have regular opening hours yet, we already have a lot to offer! We look forward to our official opening in 2024!