My research sits at the intersection of archeology, material culture, and lived experience. I am particularly interested in how we reconstruct the past from fragmentary evidence using cutting-edge science, and what happens when we combine traditional archaeological analysis with hands-on, experiential knowledge.
Over the years, my projects have explored a wide range of themes within later prehistory, including Iron Age mortuary practices, human mobility, prehistoric textiles, horse equipment, and the archeology of Doggerland — the submerged prehistoric landscape beneath the North Sea. A recurring thread across this work is a focus on how objects were actually used in practice, and how meaning, function, and experience intersect in the archaeological record.
Much of my research is developed in close collaboration with museums, universities, and heritage organisations in the Netherlands and abroad, and often combines object research, high-tech analysis, and public engagement. I am especially interested in projects that connect professionals, volunteers, and wider audiences, and in making archaeological knowledge accessible without losing its complexity.
Alongside formal research, I continually develop new ideas and collaborations — often across disciplinary boundaries, and sometimes sparked by the most unexpected questions. For me, archeology is not a closed field, but an ongoing conversation between evidence, imagination, and experience.
On this part of my website, I share some of my past and present projects, as well as ongoing research interests. Please do not hesitate to get in touch via Sasja@vanderVaart-Verschoof.com if something piques your interest or if you have a project you would like me to collaborate on.