South Holland secures future of archaeological treasures with new depot in Alphen aan den Rijn
South Holland’s archaeological finds, some dating back 7,500 years, will soon have a new home in Alphen aan den Rijn. The move ensures safer storage for fragile artifacts while addressing urgent space shortages, preserving the province’s rich heritage for future generations.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| New Depot Location | Alphen aan den Rijn, at the European Conservation Center (ECC) |
| Current Depot Status | Too small, fails climatological standards for fragile materials |
| Temporary Solution | Second warehouse in Alphen aan den Rijn to address immediate space shortage |
| Collection Age Range | 7,500 to 100 years old |
| Types of Artifacts | Pottery, glass, bone, metal |
| Timeline for New Depot | Operational by 2030, pending lease agreement |
| Inspectorate Findings | Current depot at capacity, both in space and climatological conditions |
The province of South Holland is responsible for preserving and managing the region’s archaeological heritage, ensuring artifacts are stored under optimal conditions. This includes overseeing depots, collaborating with municipalities, and maintaining public access to cultural collections.
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Depot for archaeological finds in South Holland to remain in Alphen aan den Rijn
South Holland’s archaeological heritage will require new accommodation by 2030. After evaluating various potential locations, we can now confirm that the new depot will be situated within Alphen aan den Rijn. The province of South Holland intends to house its provincial collection at the European Conservation Center (ECC) in Alphen, provided a market-compliant lease agreement can be reached with the facility.
Storage of fragile materials
South Holland’s current archaeological depot has become too small and no longer fully meets the (climatological) requirements for storing fragile materials. Last year, the Inspectorate for Government Information and Heritage concluded, following an inspection, that the current depot “has reached its limits both in terms of climatological conditions and capacity.” According to the province, the ECC facility meets all the necessary standards for safely storing its archaeological collection.
Temporary expansion of storage capacity
In the coming weeks, the archaeological depot will begin using a second warehouse in Alphen aan den Rijn to address the immediate shortage of space.
Provincial collections
The provincial collection consists mainly of pottery, glass, bone, and metal. The finds in the depot range from 7,500 to 100 years old. In addition to preserving, registering, and loaning out finds, several large municipalities in South Holland also maintain their own depots for managing archaeological discoveries.
Interested in exploring South Holland’s provincial collection of finds? Take a look here 👉🏼 Provinciaal Archeologisch Depot Zuid-Holland (opens in new window)
More information
Gold seal stamp, found in Alphen aan den Rijn, circa 1729