Archaeology as a bridge between past and future
Luc Amkreutz, curator of prehistory at the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden and professor of Public Archaeology at Leiden University, has a mission: to make the past accessible and relevant to a broad audience. He is the new Eugène Dubois Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maastricht University.
Unique opportunity
Amkreutz’s work goes beyond merely describing discoveries. 'We are living through the third scientific revolution in archaeology,' he says. 'After uncovering the antiquity of humanity and the advent of carbon dating, we now use DNA analysis, isotope research, and big data to bring the past to life. These techniques sometimes bring us intimately close to people from the distant past: we know what they looked like, where they came from, what they ate, and what diseases they suffered from.'
His approach is inherently multidisciplinary. 'I am a prehistorian, but I collaborate with geneticists, geologists, and data analysts. Only through this synergy can we address major questions.' At Maastricht University, he sees opportunities to strengthen this approach, for example, through partnerships with the Maastricht Science Programme, the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, and the Connexxion Lab, where science communication is central. 'Here, we can combine techniques from different disciplines, from imaging to DNA analysis, and translate the results for a broad audience.'
A native of Limburg
Amkreutz’s connection to Limburg is both personal and professional. 'I grew up in the Limburg loess landscape and, as a child, and later student, I combed the fields around the flint mines of Rijckholt-St. Geertruid. These mines are an icon of European prehistory: they produced 20 million kilograms of flint, exported as far as southern Germany. This area was one of the first major production centres on our continent. It gave people the tools to cultivate land and settle as farmers.' He sees potential in using modern techniques to shed new light on these mines. 'How can we learn more about the trade networks, the techniques, and the people behind this early industry?'
Bringing the past to life
A central theme in Amkreutz’ vision is the transmission of knowledge. 'Archaeology stands or falls by how we tell the story of the past. Whether through exhibitions, podcasts, or scientific articles, we must show why it matters.' Maastricht has considerable expertise in science communication, and he hopes to contribute to this, for example, by involving students in projects that connect science and society.
A bridge between disciplines and the public
Amkreutz’s appointment is part-time, 'I won’t be in Maastricht five days a week', but his ambition is substantial. 'It’s about connecting places and disciplines. What projects can we initiate where technology, archaeology, and communication intersect? I look forward to working with students and colleagues to give the archaeology of Limburg and beyond a new impulse. Archaeology is the only discipline that looks back thousands of years. That perspective is invaluable, especially in times of climate change and societal challenges. I want to show this isn’t just for specialists, it’s for everyone.'
Text by Patrick Marx, Maastricht University
Eugène Dubois Lecture
Doggerland: A lost world as a mirror
Amkreutz will deliver a lecture on Doggerland at Studium Generale on 11 December (in Dutch only). Doggerland was that connected Europe and England 8,000 years ago. It vanished after the last ice age. "It’s unique: thanks to exceptional preservation, we know quite a lot about how people lived in a dynamic, ultimately submerged landscape. It’s about Neanderthals and hunter-gatherers, but also about how human communities coped with climate change. This isn’t just ancient history, it’s a mirror for today."
11 Dec, 20:00 – Aula, Minderbroedersberg 4-6