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Archeon, Netherlands

Coordinates: 52°06′54″N 4°39′02″E / 52.114928°N 4.650462°E / 52.114928; 4.650462
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Archeon
Archeon medieval bakery
LocationAlphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Coordinates52°06′54″N 4°39′02″E / 52.114928°N 4.650462°E / 52.114928; 4.650462
Opened1994 (1994)
Themearcheology, stone-age, Roman period, middle-ages
Attendance300.000
Websitehttps://www.archeon.nl/index.html

Archeon is an archeological open air and living museum in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.[1]

Background

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Archeon opened as a theme park in 1994, with a focus on demonstrating archaeology to the public. It quickly underwent financial trouble and was on the brink of bankruptcy in 1995.[2] However, it recovered and then evolved into an open air museum, reconstructing various eras from Dutch history. In 2011, the South Holland House of Archaeology was opened, (in Dutch: Archeologiehuis Zuid-Holland). Under the management of Archeon and located at its entrance, it exhibits various archaeological discoveries in the area.[3] In 2015, Archeon was recognised as a formal museum and under the management of the Archeon Museum Park Foundation (in Dutch: Stichting Museumpark Archeon) [4]

Current Activities

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The museum features various historical periods of Dutch history via archeological reconstructions and historical reenactments. Educated actors called archeo-interpreters inform visitors about the living circumstances at those days. Visitors can engage in activities. Among the periods portrayed are the Stone Age, the Roman times and the Medieval period. A restoration yard with original wooden ships from the Roman period, found at Zwammerdam, is part of the collection.[5] The museum also contains an arena, where reenactments of Roman gladiator fights are held.[6]

Archeon was and is host to several festivals such as the Midsummer Fair, the Midwinter Fair, the Roman Festival and the Elf Fantasy Fair.[7]

Collection selection

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Museum Archeon". Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  2. ^ "De Volkskrant". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Het Archeologiehuis". archeologiehuiszuidholland.nl. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  4. ^ korting, Geniet van online. "Museumpark Archeon". Archeon (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  5. ^ "De Zwammerdamschepen: een ontdekking van wereldformaat". Erfgoedhuis Zuid-Holland (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  6. ^ payment, Easy online. "Park". Archeon. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  7. ^ "Twee dagen Midwinter Fair in Archeon". www.rodi.nl (in Dutch). 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
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