An exceptional day of experimental demonstrations : 14 workshops led by scientists from the four corners of the world will enable you to discover and understand the practices of prehistoric societies, from the Palaeolithic to historical periods. Live tests, participative workshops, exhibitions of reconstituted tools and guided tours... to see, test and discuss the gestures and skills of yesteryear.

T

his day for the general public, organized on October 25, 2025 at the Préhistomuseum is part of the scientific symposium CONEXP 2025organized by TraceoLab (ULiège), 7ᵉ International Congress of Experimental Archaeology (Liège, October 22-25, 2025), which brings together researchers, technicians and students from multiple disciplines to explore, test and discuss experimental methods at the service of archaeological interpretations. Experimental archaeology comes to life at the Préhistomuseum!

Workshops

• How does an arrow or assegai fly?
  Watch comparative shots and understand how manufacturing choices influence range, trajectory and accuracy.
• Producing red ochre powder
  Hypothetical techniques from the Early Mesolithic (Mount Sandel site, Northern Ireland): grinding, preparation and uses.
• The throwing stick, a singular weapon
  Handle replicas from various prehistoric traditions and try your hand at throwing; presentation of manufacturing techniques.
• Torches for the cave
  Immerse yourself in the Ramioul cave with lighting thatsimulates the light of natural torches to rediscover underground exploration by firelight.
• Build your own Neolithic palisade
  Become a Michelsberg builder: cut, split and erect posts to build an enclosure.
• Flintknapping & butchery in the Middle Paleolithic
  Test freshly cut flints and measure their effectiveness on compatible materials: not all flints are created equal!
• Making birch tar
  Remedy, glue, putty, chewing gum: discover the production of a versatile material used as far back as the Neanderthals.
• Flintknapping workshop
  Meet archaeological knappers in action, and follow the basic gestures of toolmaking.
• Cremation workshop (experimental demonstration)
  From the construction of the pyre to the treatment of bones: a supervised and documented funerary experiment.
• Ceramic firing
  Watch a Neolithic firing based on archaeological data from a 5,200-year-old site near Liège.
• Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
  Demonstrations and discussions on fencing and combat techniques from the Middle Ages and modern times.
• Gladiatorship: equipment and practice
  Immerse yourself in the world of the gladiators: equipment, training and Roman combat techniques.
• Bark pots
  Learn how to make birch bark pots: light, strong and ingenious.
• I fit my tools
  Discover how to fit tools in the Palaeolithic period: transform a flint chip into a handy tool and a robust weapon.

Practical info

Event times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the site remains open until 6 p.m.).
Location: Préhistomuseum - Ramioul (Flémalle)
Public: general public, families, the curious, enthusiasts.
Supervision: international scientists and practitioners.

Prices

• Adults: €16
• Senior : €15
• Students: €15
• Children: €10
• Children -3 years: free
• ULiège students:free (on presentation of card)

Reservation is recommended but not compulsory

Prehistomuseum website