• Internet TimeScope

The archaeological site of Ename (covering an area of 8 hectares, or approximately 20 acres) has been developed as an open-air museum, even as the excavations continue. Among the challenges faced by the Ename 974 team in this effort is one shared by archaeological interpreters all over the world:

How is it possible to make complex and poorly preserved archaeological remains comprehensible to the general public?

At Ename, as elsewhere, archaeological remains-- however impressive or picturesque they may be-- are rarely recognizable to non-professionals as specific structures such as houses, churches, or workshops, for example. Fragmentary walls or low foundation courses thus fail to capture the fascination of most visitors. In the case of Ename, visitors see a labyrinth of partially preserved walls and courtyards. These are the foundations of the Benedictine abbey that dominated life in Ename from 1063 to 1795. The remains of the early-medieval trade settlement (975-1050) are not visible, since they consisted largely of soil layers and traces of decomposed wood that were removed in the process of excavation.

To give the visitor an idea of what life on the site used to be like a new presentation technique was developed: TimeFrame. The system allows the visitor to see the buildings of which only the foundations are preserved and to learn more about the site and the people who used to live there. Timeframe has the advantage that physical reconstructions on site are not necessary and has been awarded several prizes.

The development of the open-air museum in Ename is in its initial phase. In 2004 the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM) starts a revaluation project of the Scheldt valley near Oudenaarde which includes the development of the site into an archaeological park. The old arms of the Scheldt will be opened up, the abbey gardens will be laid out again and several Timeframes will be installed. On the website you can already look around the inner court of the abbey in 1663, via the Internet Timeframe.

Before long also the building of a heritage centre will start on the site. This heritage centre will house new exhibition rooms, offices, restoration workshops and polyvalent rooms.