Engaging with the Archaeology of the colonies of benevolence through geophysical surveys
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2018-10-19

In 2017 the Dutch and Belgian governments nominated the Colonies of Benevolence for the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The nominated heritage consists of seven colonies in the northern part of the Netherlands and Flanders that were founded in the 19th century to host poor families, orphans, beggars and vagrants. All seven colonies were marked by a strictly planned landscape and uniform architecture, large parts of which still survive today.
Although the nominated heritage includes some areas of archaeological value, the Colonies of Benevolence are not generally perceived as archaeological heritage. As most of the colonies present a seemingly well-preserved ensemble and are historically well documented, the added value of archaeology is neither obvious to the public nor to local residents and politicians.
A small research project in Veenhuizen (province of Drenthe, the Netherlands) aims to enhance the awareness of the archaeological value of the Colonies by a non-invasive geophysical survey. The project focuses on one of the large orphanages that was built in Veenhuizen by the Society of Benevolence in the 1820s and demolished around 1925. Local residents are encouraged to volunteer in the survey work. A successful music theatre play that is staged in the Dutch national Prison Museum in Veenhuizen offers an opportunity to communicate the project to a large audience. A local initiative has made the outline of the building visible by a flower bed in the meadow.

Author: Coolen, Joris - Zentrum für baltische und skandinavische Archäologie, Schleswig (Presenting author)