ArcheoNacht (in English)
Practical info:
Date: November 2, 2024
Time: 19:00 – 23:00
Location: National Museum of Antiquities, Rapenburg 28, 2311 EW Leiden
Admission: Free (no registration required)
On Saturday, November 2, the National Museum of Antiquities will open its doors for an unforgettable ArcheoNacht! Until the late hours, you can wander through the oldest and largest archaeological museum in the Netherlands. The theme “expression” allows you to explore how people have expressed themselves throughout the centuries.
Below you can find all the ArcheoNacht program components available in English. Click here for the full ArcheoNacht program, including the Dutch segments.
See the program details below (times and rooms to be announced)
Speed Lecture: Inked Ancestors – Tattoos in Archaeology
Did you know that approximately 25% of young Europeans aged 18 to 35 have tattoos? But what about the history of tattooing? The oldest known tattoos, dating back 5,200 years on the mummified remains of Ötzi the Iceman, reveal a rich history. Join the speed lecture of archaeologist Jacob Griffith as he explores ancient tattooing practices, connects them to modern trends, and uncovers the motivations behind this timeless form of art.
Short film: The Bison’s Legs
The Bison’s Legs takes you back 30,000 years to the Late Stone Age, where a shaman and his friend embark on a dream quest for a cave painting. This poetic film breaks the stereotype of early hunter-gatherers and shows that they were just as intelligent, creative, and reflective as we are today. The screening times for the film with English subtitles will be announced here.
Watch the trailer here.
Spelletjescafé / Game café
Wanna play a really really really old game? Head over to the Spelletjescafé! Here, you can try your hand at the Royal Game of Ur, a 5000 years old ancient board game, and experience how people had fun in the past! Do you prefer more modern play activities? Then try out the video game version of the very same ancient board game. Want to dive deeper into the world of ancient games? Don’t miss the exciting speed lecture by Dr. Aris Politopoulos & Dr. Walter Crist.
Speed Lecture: Discovering DNA from Dirt: SedaDNA in Archaeology
Ancient DNA has been a game-changer in unraveling countless archaeological mysteries. Thanks to recent breakthroughs in genetics, we can now extract and analyze ancient DNA from exciting new sources, like dirt and sediment. This is opening up incredible new insights into ancient environments and human lifestyles, allowing us to uncover fascinating details—such as which crops people farmed or which animals they lived with. SedaDNA specialist Kadir Toykan Özdoğan can tell you all about it!
Mini-exhibition and Treasure Hunt: Timeline of Minifigures
Come and see the unique collection of minifigures made from LEGO® parts, assembled by teacher Daniël Ponsen to enrich his history lessons. With no fewer than 180 minifigures, you will embark on a journey through world history, from prehistory to the present.
Speed Lecture: The Past at Play!
People have been enjoying games for centuries! Join archaeologists Aris Politopoulos and Walter Crist on an exciting journey through the past with ancient board games! Discover the origins of the oldest games, who played them, and how (or if!) we can still play them today. Plus, explore how these ancient pastimes have the potential to shape the dynamic world of modern video games. Bring your newfound knowledge to the Spelletjescafé and let the fun continue!
Ask the Archaeologist!
Workshop: Trash or Treasure?
Are you curious why waste from a cesspit, a combination of a sewer and a trash can, is so valuable to an archaeologist? Then the workshop ‘Trash or Treasure’ is perfect for you! An archaeologist will show you how to create a profile based on modern-day waste.
Feel the past: Mystery Boxes
Four black boxes, each containing a mysterious object! You can’t look inside, but you are allowed to touch the archaeological finds inside. Do you dare to take on this challenge? Do you have the sensitive hands of an archaeologist who can distinguish between old and new? Who knows, you might discover something that was once held by someone else hundreds of years ago. Let your senses be stimulated and embark on an exciting journey of discovery!
Making History Heard!
Join us on a historical musical adventure with the duo MORO, Spike and Ilja Bakker! Dressed in medieval attire and accompanied by authentic instruments, they bring the sounds of the past to life in the Tempelzaal. Let yourself be enchanted by a variety of international folk songs, sung in both old and new languages!
Temporary Exhibition: Bronze Age – Fire of Change
Discover the fascinating world of the Bronze Age (2000-800 BC) in the newly opened temporary exhibition “Bronze Age – Fire of Change”! Admire spectacular offerings, powerful swords, and precious objects from across Europe, including the unique ‘golden hat of Schifferstadt.’ This exhibition brings together the finest and most remarkable artifacts from the Netherlands and neighboring countries.
Spectaculair Light Show
Admire the impressive two-thousand-year-old temple from Egypt in the hall of the National Museum of Antiquities! This beautiful temple, once dedicated to the goddess Isis and later used as a Christian church, has a captivating story to tell. Be enchanted by a spectacular light show with 3D mapping, bringing the fascinating tale of the temple to life. You definitely don’t want to miss this!
Background
The programming of the ArcheoNacht is in the hands of the ‘Young Underground Professionals’ (Yuppen), a think tank of young heritage and archaeology professionals with a fresh perspective on archaeology and the public.
With thanks to the partners of the ArcheoNight
Uit de bodem
Urn
dateert tussen 250 v.Chr. en 100 n.Chr. (prehistorie) gevonden in Súdwest Fryslân, Friesland
Gouden munt, aureus van Trajanus
dateert tussen 103 en 111 n.Chr. (romeinse tijd) gevonden in Woerden, Utrecht
Terra sigillata kom
dateert tussen 14 en 37 n.Chr. (romeinse tijd) gevonden in Vechten, Utrecht
Zwaard van Jutphaas
dateert tussen 1800 en 1500 v.Chr. (prehistorie) gevonden in Nieuwegein, Utrecht