Digging for clues at Domplein
11 April 2012
Excavation
In the summer of 2011 the real preparations started for the second underground visitor centre beneath the Dom square in Utrecht. Quite a big test excavation was carried out to examine which physical conditions are needed in the centre. The excavation revealed archaeological remains from various time layers. Traces of a Roman road, various parts of early Medieval churches and huge pillar fundaments of the gothic Dom were the most obvious things. Most spectacular was the find of more than hundred coins dating back to the 7th century AD.
The excavation attracted thousands of visitors. On Open Heritage Day in September, people had to wait in line to get a glimpse of the excavation and hear the explanation of the archeologists. On special occasions children helped the archeologists in tracing down bits and pieces of the past.
The dig is covered up now, waiting for a final re-excavation and the construction of the visitor centre next summer. Meanwhile research is going on with PORTICO partners helping each other to find the best solutions for the challenges they face. Important to mention here is that the PORTICO study on climate and light is well on its way.
The excavation was carried out in close cooperation with the archeologists of the city of Utrecht and specialists from the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage.