Since the development of archaeology as a discipline, European archaeologists have been active in archaeological projects abroad. It may be imagined that motivations, research aims and attitudes to the people they encountered in these countries changed over time. This presentation explores how Dutch archaeology abroad developed through the years.

Central issues are the historical, institutional and socio-political developments, the values and motivations that drive foreign archaeology, and how ‘international collaboration’ was approached. Also some attention will be paid to possible developments in the future.