| Archeon | |
| Resort: | Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands |
| Coordinates: | 52.1149°N 4.6505°W |
| Theme: | archeology, stone-age, Roman period, middle-ages |
| Homepage: | https://www.archeon.nl/index.html |
| Visitors: | 300.000 |
Archeon is an archeological open air and living museum in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.[1]
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]
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]