Within the cross-border project “ARCHAEOLOGY, AUTHORITY AND COMMUNITY: cooperation to protect archaeological heritage” several events for local community were organized in Alūksne. Their aim was to show the importance of archeology and its connection to history and also to give an opportunity to learn about the local heritage that is hidden in the ground. Events were focused at various audiences and one topic was adjusted for different listeners (pupils, adults, youth etc.).
Informative day for school children
On May 28th Project partner 6 organised a lecture for school pupils (Class 7 and 8) and their teachers (103 people participated) about archaeology: “An archaeological collection of Aluksne museum”. Also informative material: “Archaeological research of Alūksne Medieval castle” was distributed. It focused on the archaeological research in 2011 which was organized in the ruins of Aluksne Medieval castle (also called Marienburg castle or the Livonian Order stone castle) that are located on Pilssala Island. Pupils learned about archaeology, excavations and saw some finds that are now located in the museum collection.
Lectures for history teachers
On July 31st, 2012 in Alūksne museum lectures for history teachers within the project and Historian teachers Days were organized. Lecture about Alūksne region mounds as archeological monuments, led by Prof., Dr.hist., Dr.habil.art. Juris Urtāns, was attended by 84 listeners. They learned about how to recognize the mound in landscape and found out more about the nine mounds in Alūksne region.
Open seminar and lecture for locals within town festivity
On August 4th, 2012 in Aluksne museum (in the Round Tower) an open seminar and lecture: “The hidden castle – latest archaeological studies in the ruins of the Marienburg castle”, took place for local inhabitants. During the day (from 11.00 – 16.00.) it was possible to meet archaeologist Uldis Kalējs who carried out latest archeological studies on archaeological monument – ruins of the Marienburg castle.
This opportunity was used by more than 80 people who visited Alūksne town festivity. Visitors could get to know more about archeologist job – research before excavations, excavation process and analysis of the results and finds, but the best thing was – they got to meet a real archeologist and got to know archeology from his point of view.
Inese Zīmele – Jauniņa
Alūksne Municipality
Project manager
Photos by Alūksne museum