'Artist impression' van Leffinge voor de bedijking (10de eeuw), © Middelkerke
5000 years of coastal evolution
The Flemish coast has a long and complex history. The modern landscape is the result of the interaction between both natural processes and human interventions. Although research into the history of this region has already provided us with a lot of information, many detailed questions still remain, for example, exactly how the coastline evolved over the past 5000 years.
The Testerep project
Research
Gain insight into how our coastline has evolved over the past 5000 years, through state of the art interdisciplinary scientific research
Results
With the use of computer modeling, we'll resurrect Testerep and learn about the human and natural impact on the landscape.
Valorization
Who are our stakeholders? How will they apply our research results? Which valorization projects are planned?
Podcast
Listen to the podcast by Dr. Soetkin Vervust for the University of Flanders and the VRT radio program Voorproevers (in Dutch).
Documentary
Watch the preview of the Testerep documentary here, where you can catch a glimpse of the interplay between the various technologies and scientific disciplines used in the Testerep research.
Watch the trailer here.
News
We are very happy to announce the opening this Saturday of the exhibition “Testerep and drowned Ostend”.
This exhibition takes you on a fascinating journey through 10,000 years of coastal history. Dive into the past and discover how archaeological artefacts, art objects, old photographs and films, historical maps and digital reconstructions paint a vivid picture of the history of Testerep and the city of Ostend.
The science-focused exhibition also offers a behind-the-scenes look at our research, giving an insight into how archaeological fieldwork, scans of the seabed, sediment cores, and mathematical models help us understand the evolution of the coastal landscape.
The exhibit provides a rich, interactive experience for visitors of all ages. The story comes to life through artistic impressions, soundscapes, hands-on experiments and a LEGO model of drowned medieval Ostend. Younger visitors can also take part in the ‘Testerep Quest’, an exciting escape game that playfully guides them through the Testerep story.
Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover the hidden past of the Belgian coast.
Plan your visit today!
The 8th edition of the IKUWA conference will take place in Ostend in October 2025.
IKUWA is a global network of agencies, with a focus on underwater archaeology. Its aim is to raise awareness of underwater cultural heritage, and support an international regulatory framework for its protection. Since 1999, IKUWA has organized a conference approximately every three years.
We are therefore very proud that we were able to bring the organization of the next edition to Belgium, more specifically to Ostend. The conference will last no less than 5 days, with additional optional excursions and workshops. We expect around 300 participants from all over the world. It will take a while until October '25, but both the scientific committee and the organizing committee are working at full speed.
The main organizers are Onroerend Erfgoed, VLIZ and the City of Ostend, together with Toerisme Vlaanderen, Ghent University, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Agence wallonne du Patrimoine.
The scientific committee also includes researchers and policy officers from many different institutions: Onroerend Erfgoed, Ghent University, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the Flemish Marine Institute, the Agence Wallone du Patrimoine, Urban.Brussels, and the Nederlandse Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed en Rijkswaterstaat.
The call for sessions is currently running until the end of August. The scientific program and social events are slowly but surely taking shape. The website also looks great now, and there is already plenty of activity on social media. Be sure to take a look and give our colleagues a like!
A journalist from 'De Morgen' was on board the vessel Simon Stevin and searched for the remains of 'Het Atlantis' off the Belgian coast.
