Roadmap for scientific research for archaeologists
Project
Producing knowledge together
FOUNDATION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE QUALITY ASSURANCE SOIL MANAGEMENT | SIKB
There are many different players in the archaeological research field. Some are self-employed, others work for universities, municipal or provincial governments, archaeological companies or the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Still others combine the two. The ‘Making Knowledge Together’ project aims to facilitate dialogue between these various players in the archaeological research field by making the knowledge infrastructure more accessible. An overview of this infrastructure is currently lacking, even though there is a strong need for it in demand-driven research.
The aim of the project is to map relevant research techniques and facilities, and to provide an overview of where to find related facilities and expertise. This overview will not be limited to well-known techniques such as DNA, isotope, OSL and carbon-14 dating, micromorphology and XRF research, but will also give insight into other possibilities, such as technical research, reference collections and other facilities that are less known in the archaeological field. This will give archaeological researchers a better understanding of the tools that natural science research has to offer.
Natural science research can make an important contribution to answering questions about our human ancestors by examining material culture. These include questions about migration, rituals, food and housing. Natural science can also help tackle challenges related to dating and preserving archaeological objects.
The result of the project is the development of the website www.vindhetverleden.nu. It’s a smart guide to scientific research in Dutch archaeology. The website brings everyone interested in archaeology, both professionals and laymen, into contact with specialists and their methods. You can find which stories and knowledge gains the method used has yielded.
The search function of the platform is unique and makes it possible to find specialists in an accessible way, who can investigate a find or a sample. Conversely, scientific researchers can present their research techniques. The platform contains all themes from the Dutch Research Agenda for Archaeology (NOaA, version 2.0) in combination with a growing number of inspirational stories.
www.vindhetverleden.nu is put into practice in the Knowledge Dialogues that SIKB and RCE organize as part of the Samen Kennis Maken project. Five Knowledge Dialogues took place in 2023 and 2024 and a number of more are planned for 2025.
Het grote ArcheoScience Fest (The big Archeo Science Festival) is planned for 27 June 2025, where all E-RIHS projects on the subject of archeology will be discussed.
www.vindhetverleden.nu is put into practice in the Knowledge Dialogues organised by SIKB and RCE within the framework of the project "Samen Kennis Maken" (Making Knowledge Together). Seven Knowledge Dialogues have been organised up to the end of 2025, and a number are scheduled for 2026.
On 27 June 2025, the grand Archeo Science Festival took place, where, among other things, all E-RIHS projects in the field of archaeology were presented.