Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Friday 12 June 2026, the Trifolion cultural centre in Echternach hosted the official opening ceremony of the second edition of the European Archaeology Days (EAD), launching a programme of educational and public events running until Friday 19 June 2026.
Organised by the National Institute for Archaeological Research (INRA) in partnership with museums, municipalities and heritage associations, the programme highlights archaeological discoveries, historic sites and ongoing research through conferences, guided tours and interactive activities.
It forms part of a pan European initiative coordinated by France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research under the patronage of the Council of Europe. More than 5,000 events are taking place across 30 countries this year.
Opened by Luxembourg's Minister of Culture, Eric Thill the ceremony followed with presentation on the latest progress of the archaeological excavations at the Petite Marquise site in Echternach.
Speaking with Chronicle.lu, David Weis, Director of the INRA, said the opening event served both to launch the EAD in Luxembourg and to present the latest archaeological discoveries from the Petite Marquise excavation site in Echternach. He added that the long term project aims to create a shared space combining housing, a museum, a tourist information centre and a restaurant, ensuring that the site's heritage is both preserved and made accessible to residents and visitors.
Echternach Mayor Carole Hartmann said the municipality organised the event to inform residents about the archaeological work carried out in the town and "to show also the importance of what has been found". She highlighted that, as developing the new project had taken considerable time, it was important "to explain why it takes this time". According to her, the archaeological investigations have now reached a stage where the municipality is ready to move forward with the next phase of the project while preserving the artefacts uncovered during the excavations.
With the programme now halfway through, several events remain scheduled this week.
The remaining events will both take place at the Gallo Roman Theatre in Dalheim. On Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 18:30, the venue will host the conference "Im Strom der Geschicht - (Römische) Flussfunde in Trier", exploring Roman artefacts discovered in the River Moselle and other waterways around Trier, Germany. The programme will conclude on Friday 19 June 2026 at 18:30 with the lecture "Exploring Roman Britain: New Methods and Perspectives", presenting recent archaeological research and new approaches to studying Roman Britain.
