Archeon, Netherlands

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

Archeon

Archeon medieval bakery
Location	Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Coordinates	52.114928°N 4.650462°E / 52.114928; 4.650462
Opened	1994 (1994)
Theme	archeology, stone-age, Roman period, middle-ages
Attendance	300.000
Website	https://www.archeon.nl/index.html

Background

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

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

• 
  Restoration yard Roman ships
• 
  Roman shields and helmets (replica)
• 
  Roman fight technique Testudo
• 
  Middle-age pharmacy, re-enactment with archeo-interpreter
• 
  Villa Rijswijk
• 
  Closter
• 
  Singing monks
• 
  Shop Middle Ages, re-enactment with archeo-interpreter
• 
  Middle age youth

See also

• Netherlands Open Air Museum at Arnhem
• Zuiderzee Museum at Enkhuizen
• Zaanse Schans at Zaandam