Heel Heerlen Digs!

Archaeological research with the residents of Heerlen

Heel Heerlen Digs: in search of remains from the Roman past

Years of research have yielded a great deal of information about the Roman town of Coriovallum. Yet a large part has not been investigated and many questions remain unanswered. Beneath the streets, houses and gardens lies information that contributes to our knowledge of Roman Heerlen. Together with residents we will search for remains of the Roman town. On 18 June, the kick-off of the project Heel Heerlen Digs will take place, followed by the big digging days on 9 and 10 September.

A special investigation

For the first time in the Netherlands, archaeological research on this scale will be carried out together with residents in an urban setting — a unique opportunity to actively connect the people of Heerlen with the history of their city. An additional advantage is that participants learn about archaeology and how archaeologists work. Through a unique interplay of residents and professionals, new Roman stories may be discovered in the gardens and public places around the Thermenmuseum, in the Roman quarter of Heerlen. For the multi-year research project Constructing the Limes, closely involved in Heel Heerlen Digs, the test pits provide new insights into Heerlen’s soil and thus into a past of some 2,000 years.

Alderman Jordy Clemens looks forward to the start of the project: “Archaeological research constantly provides us with new knowledge and new stories about our past. By now writing those stories together with the people of Heerlen, we are working on a better picture of Heerlen in Roman times and fostering cohesion, identity and pride today.”

Extensive programme

On 9 and 10 September 2023, the Big Dig Days of Heel Heerlen Digs will take place. For this, the municipality of Heerlen is looking for 25 gardens and 150 volunteers who want to dig in their garden or clean finds. But you do not become an archaeologist just like that. What participants need to know will become clear through various activities organised from 18 June onwards.

SedaDNA for the first time on a large scale in the Netherlands

One of the research objectives of Constructing the Limes is the study of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA), DNA originating from archaeological soil layers. It offers opportunities to gain insight into the diet of people living in Roman Heerlen and can also detect possible pathogens affecting people at the time.

Cooperation

This project is a collaboration between the municipality of Heerlen, Constructing the Limes, NWO, the Thermenmuseum, Restaura and De Vondst, LGOG and countless volunteers.

For more information, visit www.heerlen.nl/heelheerlengraaft.