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Fryske Akademy Fryske Akademy

Archaeological Working Group

The Argeologysk Wurkferbân (Archaeological Working Group) aims to bring together amateur archaeologists in Fryslân. With numerous activities, we try to support archaeological research in the province.

By organising lectures, courses, practical activities and excursions, we try to increase members' archaeological knowledge. This can help make this hobby more meaningful. Another appealing activity is that members can participate in excavations organised by competent bodies.

 

Founding year

1983

 

Board and contact

Chair: Sible de Roos
Secretary: Koos Tiemersma (e-mail)

What do we do?

  • Lectures: by professionals and members, on various subjects and periods: from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages;
  • Excursions: to museums and archaeological monuments, both in and outside Friesland;
  • Excavations: assisting with both large scientific projects and smaller emergency excavations;
  • Courses: mainly focused on practice; recognizing shards and flint tools, conducting field surveys, measuring, inventorying, etc.;
  • Finds processing: identifying, describing, gluing and preserving finds.

With all these activities we try to support archaeological research in Friesland. Anyone who is interested in antiquities and early history and wants to do more with this hobby, can become a member of the Archeologysk Wurkferbân. The only condition is that you also become a donor to the Fryske Akademy at the same time. 

You can register by sending an email to secretary Koos Tiemersma.

'Diggelgoud. 25 jier Argeologysk Wurkferbân' (2008)

In the volume Diggelgoud (2008), published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Archeologysk Wurkferbân of the Fryske Akademy, 38 authors provide an overview of the state of affairs in Frisian archaeology, the most important finds and discoveries of the past decades, the collaboration of scientists and amateurs, and the results of that collaboration in numerous field projects, based on concrete finds - from prehistoric artefacts via Roman coins, weights and oven remains to medieval jewellery and abandoned churchyards.

The book can be ordered via the Afûk web shop for only € 2.50.

Agenda

Programme 2026-2027

  • Tuesday 13 October 2026: Lecture given by Theun Varwijk
    Theun Varwijk is an archaeologist at the RAAP research firm and is involved in excavations in Bolsward. These excavations have yielded a wealth of information about the town’s history through remarkable finds, such as house foundations and wells, a statuette of a saint, cloak pins, coins, and even a 12th-century Arabic coin fibula. Based on this material, Varwijk can tell us a great deal about the development of Bolsward.
    More information about the members' meeting
  • Thursday 12 November 2026: Lecture given by Jan Willem Oudhof
    Jan Willem Oudhof is an archaeologist and co-founder of Buro de Brug, an archaeological consulting firm. He also serves as the city archaeologist of Leeuwarden. In 2023, during excavations of the medieval Waag, he discovered a historic “checkerboard floor.”
    More information follows.
  • Tuesday 2 February 2027 (lecture, more information follows)
  • Thursday 15 April 2027: Lecture given by Marcel Niekus
    Marcel Niekus is an archaeologist specializing in research on the Stone Age. In 1995, Niekus graduated from the University of Groningen. As chairman of the Stone Foundation, Niekus is committed to expanding knowledge about prehistoric communities in the Netherlands by conducting research and making it accessible to scientists, policymakers, and the general public. 
    More information follows

Earlier this year

Saturday 5 September 2026, field trip
To museum en depot Huis van Hilde, the place to be for archaeology in North Holland (Castricum)
More information about this field trip >>