National Archaeology Days Slot Loevestein

With the largest on-site archaeological collection in the Netherlands, Slot Loevestein is the place to immerse yourself in archaeology. Therefore, on June 15 and 16, there are fun activities for young and old during National Archaeology Days. Wander through the exhibition 'Excavated', join a guided tour and discover the new highlight tour.

Treasure of information
Did you know that Loevestein is a special archaeological site? Few people realize that they walk across our history every day. Literally, because when you walk through the centuries-old fortress, a wealth of information lies right under your feet. The traces of the life, living and working of our ancestors. Some things are easy to recognize, such as shoes, clothing, pots and even bones. Of other objects it is not clear at a glance what it was or what it was used for. Then a bit more detective work by the archaeologist comes into play.

Archaeology Days activities
The bulk of Loevestein's collection, some 6,000 pieces, consists of archaeological items excavated by the Loevesteyn Archaeological Working Group itself. In the process, all sorts of things emerged from the moat around the castle, but also at the soldiers' houses within the fortress. Think of plates and cooking pots from the kitchen, clay pipes for smoking, piss pots, leather shoes and even cannonballs. Some of these are on display in the "Excavated" exhibition. Wander past the finds. What object do you see? Who did it belong to? What was it used for? Do we still use it? Why is this object so special?

On June 15 and 16, the Archaeological Working Group will be present to tell you all about the most extraordinary finds from the ground. Special because of how an object ended up in the ground, sometimes because of how it was preserved and sometimes it is the excavation story that makes the object so interesting. And those stories will be told in a guided tour these days.

Silent witnesses to stories
Occasionally the found object itself is special. Because it is so surprisingly ordinary, or precisely because it is very unique. Sometimes it is broken, but also sometimes very cool. Sometimes it remains a mystery how a find ended up somewhere and we can never explain the how and why. During National Archaeology Days, the highlight route will be introduced. In this route, the ten most extraordinary finds of Loevestein will receive extra attention.