Archaeological Open-Air Museum

Arkéos - Musée et Parc Archéologique (FR)

Member of EXARC
No

This museum was created by the Douaisis Community in order to promote the archaeological discoveries of the area, due to excavations that lasted almost 40 years. With its two axes, the museum and the park, Arkéos aims at offering an interpretation of the history of a territory and of those who shaped it.

The archaeological park, spread in 75.000 m2, is accessible to the public through a passage connecting it to the museum. The Park is devoted to the Medieval times (11th century), and consists of a number of reconstructions of medieval buildings and natural spaces relevant to the historical context. The buildings are reconstructed based on the traces and the remains found during the excavations. A special attention is drawn to the year 1000, which is unique for the region.

Château de Foix (FR)

Member of EXARC
No

The Château de Foix is a castle which dominates the town of Foix in the French department of Ariège. An important touristic site for the area, it was listed as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture in 1840. Built in the style of 7th-century fortification, the castle is known since 987. It has a long and passionate history, due to its important military role, that spanned the Middle Ages and reached the 19th century; its history is reflected on the three towers, constructed at different times, by different governors.

Since 2019, after two years of renovation, a new museum was created, holding an extended exhibition of the history of the Castle and its governors. The three towers of the Castle are also open to the public, and host an exhibition of artefacts linked to the usage of the different spaces. At the foot of the Castle, a number of activities are available to the visitors. The interpreters are dressed in a medieval style and welcome the public to observe and participate in different activities and immerse into the Middle Ages.

Les Fermes du Moyen Age (FR)

Member of EXARC
No

More than just an eco-museum, this village is a living memory of the past. Stemming from his passion of the rural life of the Middle Ages, Pierre Gire had the idea of reconstructing a farming village of the end of the 15th century.

Located in 12 hectares of exceptional countryside with views of the Auvergne Volcanoes, this eco-museum comprises a Hamlet of Farms, a Mill, a Church and gardens in a rural setting typical of its time. After 25 years of historical, archaeological and ethnographic research, Pierre Gire started to lay the foundation of the farming village in 2005. Pierre and his father built the first two farms in 15 months, and the Village opened up to the public in July 2006.

Newhaven Coppice (UK)

Member of EXARC
Yes

Newhaven Coppice provides a space for craftspeople, volunteers, archaeologists and members of the public to discover more about the lives of people from our shared past.

It is a working woodland, which has been ever evolving over the years, with an aim of becoming a centre for ancient and traditional crafts, knowledge sharing and experimental archaeology. In 2018, Newhaven Coppice opened its gates to community groups, schools and anyone interested in learning about our native woodland heritage. To compliment and bring the incredibly deep and diverse world of our ancestors to life, we are well on the way to creating an archaeologically accurate representation of an Anglo-Saxon farmstead.

Midgard Vikingsenter (NO)

Member of EXARC
Yes

Welcome to Midgard – the Viking era is here!
Midgard Viking Centre is Vestfold's center for the Viking Age. We work with live presentation for both individuals and groups.

At Midgard Viking Centre we are keen on activity based learning to convey knowledge about the Viking Age. Here you will be able to not only watch and read about the Viking Age, but you will also be able to put to use what you have learned. We wish to bring the Viking Age to life for our visitors.

The Use and Relevance of Archaeological Open-Air Museums

Roeland Paardekooper (NL)
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
Archaeological Open-Air Museum
Archaeological open-air museums form a colourful and varied assemblage of heritage institutions. These are places where stories about the past, inspired by archaeology, are presented. Their obvious use is for experimental archaeology, ancient crafts and live interpretation. However, these museums can be more relevant to society than meets the eye. They can teach newcomers about...

Drevniy Mir - Ancient World (RU)

Member of EXARC
Yes

In 2003, the Samara Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society for the Preservation of Monuments of History and Culture launched a project to establish the Center for Historical Simulation (CIM) "Ancient World" (“Древний Мир”), a brand new interactive model of the exposure of the archaeological heritage of the object for cognitive (educational), tourism and historical education of children and adults; it also serves as a scientific and experimental testing ground for professional archaeologists.

In 2003, the Samara Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society for the Preservation of Monuments of History and Culture launched a project to establish the Center for Historical Simulation (CIM) "Ancient World" (“Древний Мир”)...

Everybody Else is doing It, so Why Can’t We? Low-tech and High-tech Approaches in Archaeological Open-Air Museums

Roeland Paardekooper (NL)
EXARC Journal Issue 2019/4
Archaeological Open-Air Museum
Some people believe that an open-air museum is a place where you leave your modern technique behind and go ‘low tech’. Other than the museums which act like digital free zones, many others experiment with going digital. Where experience and storytelling have always been the central concepts of archaeological open-air museums, exactly these ideas are behind many digital techniques. We have to...

Swifterkamp, Prehistorische Nederzetting (NL)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The “new Land” Flevoland in the Netherlands is not only home to many people, it also contains some splendid nature. In one of the nature parks, at Lelystad, a Stone Age settlement is situated. This area was home to Neolithic farmers before it got too wet and flooded.

The story of Swifterkamp begins with the meeting of some lecturers and someone from Staatsbosbeheer (the Dutch Forestry Commission) who all shared a great passion for archaeology. Their wish to create a Prehistoric settlement in Flevoland for educational purposes soon became reality...

Chavdar Municipality - Archaeological Park Topolnitsa (BG)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The village of Chavdar is located in Western Bulgaria, Sofia region, Chavdar Municipality. It is accessible via the “Podbalcan” road (I-6), one of the main first-class roads in Bulgaria. The village is located 71 km east of the capital of the country and 11 km southwest of Zlatitsa. Chavdar Municipality is part of the Zlatishko-Pirdop hollow with an average altitude of 570 m.

It consists of one village – Chavdar, which makes it the smallest in Bulgaria. Unlike the other hollows to the south of the Balkan, the Zlatishko-Pirdop hollow is characterized by low temperatures. Visitors who enjoy mountain tourism can visit the chalets “Bratia” and “Sakarja”, situated high in the Sashtinska Sredna Gora Mountain, and the natural phenomenon “The Kazans”.