Ouroboros: Experiencing the Past, Shaping the Future
The project Ouroboros: Experiencing the Past, Shaping the Future; An artisanal approach to heritage in the context of identity formation engages young people aged 12 to 21 with the cultural heritage of South Holland (the Netherlands) through hands-on, project-based craft workshops. While digital tools such as AI and VR are increasingly used in heritage education, the project emphasizes the value of direct, sensory learning through making and experimentation.
The Project
Participants explore how historical objects were created by working with materials such as clay, flint, bone, and wood. The project takes place through three workshops, each lasting three days, hosted at the faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University.
Using archaeological artefacts from prehistory to the Roman period as reference, one group focuses on reproducing objects, while another tests their functionality and durability through practical use.
Guided by material specialists and archaeologists, participants learn through trial and error, developing technical skills, creativity, and confidence. The process encourages experimentation, documentation, and reflection, with young people taking an active role in their own learning.
The project will conclude with a public exhibition showcasing both the recreated artefacts and the participants’ learning journeys, offering insight into historical craftsmanship and the lived experiences of past communities.
Workshop Dates and Registration
The workshops will each last three days and will be held on the following dates:
First series of workshops: 14, 15, and 16 April
Second series of workshops: scheduled between July and August (exact dates to be confirmed)
Third series of workshops: scheduled between August and September (exact dates to be confirmed)
To register, please send an email to Dasha Derzhavets, Project Coordinator and Guest Researcher at Leiden University, at:
d.derzhavets@arch.leidenuniv.nl
Partners and Founding
The project is made possible thanks to funding from Subsidie Archeologie (publieksbereik), from Provincie Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. It is led by Dasha Derzhavets, guest researcher at Leiden University.
Leiden University plays an important role in the project by providing spaces for the workshops and the logistical facilities needed to carry out all experimental activities, as well as hosting the students throughout the entire project experience. This is made possible through the support of the FoodWays Project, led by Professor A. G. Henry.
EXARC contributes to the project by supporting the recruitment of staff and the sourcing of materials for the workshops, as well as assisting with dissemination and outreach through its social media platforms to promote the initiative and engage a wider audience.
EXARC provides technical support, including graphic design and the development of the project’s online presence, helping to ensure clear communication and increased visibility.
