From August 3 through 27, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), in collaboration with Museum Batavialand, is organizing the Flevoland Ship Archaeology Field School. Students in this training program gain practical experience in shipwreck archaeology. This year, research will focus on an inland cargo ship (ZK46) that sank around 1800 while carrying a cargo of peat. The wreck is located in the Oosterwold neighborhood of Almere.
Program: Workshops and Excavationat the Flevol
The program for the Flevoland Ship Archaeology Field School consists of two parts; at Museum Batavialand, students participate in workshops on, among other things, the conservation of ships and ship’s cargo, as well as the management of the maritime archaeological collection at the National Ship Archaeology Depot. In addition, they assist with the archaeological research during the excavation of the inland cargo ship ZK26.
InlandCargo Ships
About half of all shipwrecks in the Zuiderzee region are cargo ships. They tell a largely unwritten history of the inland transport of bulk goods across the inland sea. Peat shipping was the primary source of energy in the early modern period (1550 to 1800). It remains an important topic in our society, especially today. Many artifacts and wrecks of inland cargo ships are also on display at Museum Batavialand.
Open House for the Public on August 22,
On Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you’re invited to come see the excavation. Students will guide visitors around the site and share stories about the shipwreck. This is a unique chance to visit an excavation site and hear stories from researchers. There will also be an ArcheoMarkt featuring booths from the City of Almere, the Province of Flevoland, Museum Batavialand, the AWN, and the RCE.
Registration is required to visit the excavation site. The excavation site can only be visited during this time slot. You can find the registration form here.
