CARE Schylge: Archaeology for and by Terschelling
A five-year community project (2023–2027)

CARE Schylge is an archaeological project in which students from the VU and UvA, together with islanders and archaeologists, explore the history of Terschelling. It is not only a fieldwork campaign for students, but also a community project centered around participation, partnership, and local knowledge.

The project doesn’t just start with the standard questions of archaeologists, but with a local research agenda: what do the people of Terschelling themselves want to know about their past? These questions form the starting point of the research, and the islanders are actively involved in the preparation, execution, and interpretation of the results.

CARE Schylge studies the island using a variety of methods: from digging small test pits to coring, metal detection, geophysical surveys, fieldwalks, and sonar research on the seabed.

The strength of the project lies in collaboration. Islanders often know the landscape and history better than anyone. By combining this local knowledge with archaeological methods, not only do we gain a better understanding of the past, but a stronger sense of ownership and connection to the island’s heritage emerges.

CARE Schylge shows that archaeology is not just something for experts — it’s something you do together, with and for the community.

The project runs from 23 June to 11 July 2025, excluding weekends. Islanders can sign up for the research via the website.

On 9 July, the final presentation will take place, where preliminary results of the research will be shared. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Date: 9 July 2025
Time: 19:30–21:00
Location: St. Janskerk in Hoorn