From Wednesday 30 August to Saturday 2 September, the prestigious international conference of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) takes place in Maastricht. In MECC Maastricht, around 2,000 archaeologists from around the world will gather, follow an impressive program and can choose from 175 sessions. Beside these sessions, there is a social program that takes place in Limburg and in the Euregio.
The EAA has 2,500 members from over 50 countries of all continents, making it the second largest archaeological association in the world.
The congress was co-founded with the support of the Province of Limburg.
Maastricht: building bridges
This 23rd EAA congress has the theme of Building Bridges and Sint Servaasbrug, which inspires the logo and the theme. We do not only build bridges in time, but also bridges across rivers, borders and cultures. After all, we are looking back at 25 years of Valetta’s treaty and 25 years of Maastricht Treaty: Europe Calling!
Program for residents and visitors of the city
During the EAA, meetings, activities and exhibitions will take place in various places. The following is an overview.
On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September there are free activities that will take place around the Kesselskade.
Roman patrol ship
A replica of a Liburna (Roman patrol ship) is docked at the shipping company Stiphout, and can you experience it as rowers how the Roman Navy patrolled the Maas 2000 years ago.
Other activities
There is also a Roman harbor on the Maasboulevard. Here are a number of Roman craftsmen on Saturday and Sunday at work and soldiers will monitor the ship. In the Taberna (Roman pub) are delights to taste from the 1st century.
Pioneers Exhibition
‘PIONEERS’ is a theme exhibition on the occasion of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the EAA / European Association of Archaeologists in Maastricht. The exhibition is about the fascination for discovering, excavating and re-showing of what is hidden.
Meet the Pro!
The presence of 2,000 archaeologists from all over the world at the EAA congress offers the opportunity to ask renowned archaeologists to engage with public and students. 2 Students Archaeological Heritage Management of UM will give a short presentation of the theme of their master’s thesis.
Designation of Roman bridge to national monument
The remains of the Roman bridge on the bottom of the Maas can be regarded as the cradle of Maastricht: without that bridge, Maastricht had never become Maastricht. The bridge is still a subject of archaeological research by divers of Mergor in Mosam from Cuijck. More and more remains of the bridge rinse freely and erode. A sustainable solution for this must be sought. A first step is the status of protected National Monument.
