Terra mosana: a crossborder identity newly explained.
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2018-08-16

Project Terra Mosana is a collaboration between municipalities, heritage sites, museums, universities and citizens within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR), in order to reinforce this Euregio, by explaining its shared identity. TM will do this through digital exploitation of its cultural heritage and by constructing new storylines about this shared history. The project exists of an newly developed method, and of new products, such as experiences in 3D-modelling, 3D-reconstructions, in augmented and virtual reality. This project is meant to be evolving and sustainable. The system will be open and welcomes new partners. The project also needs the development of a technical platform, and a
legal and ethical framework.
In the long term, the involved network aims to develop and to establish an integrated digital platform for all existing cultural heritage. For the construction of new storylines, the Historical 3D Matrix-model is developed; this model uses as little information as possible, instead of the usual way in which as much information as possible is mounted. Instead it is focused on explaining relationships and interdependence. Important are the specific and disctinctive features of each cities' history in the Euregio, which show and explain the historical connections between the cities within the Euregio. For instance: in this model the role of Roman Maastricht is reduced to the functioning as a harbor-city for Tongeren and Heerlen/Aachen. Also the presence of a Roman bridge is distinctive. Aachen is known for its sulfur watersources, Heerlen has pottery-kilns, Liege was just a large Villa Rustica on the boards of the river and Tongeren was the centre of administration. This model and the focus on distinctiveness makes it possible (and forces archaeologists!) to think about and to reconstruct a different view on history and makes it possible to tell new storylines/ new narratives.

Author: Drs Wetzels, Eric - Municipality of Maastricht (Presenting author)