In 2005, Carnuntum provided decisive impetus for internationally competitive archaeological education. In the run-up to the “2000 years of Romans in Carnuntum” anniversary and building on the successes of the operating company, the educational strategy was systematically developed further. A central aspect was the idea of presenting ancient buildings not only as restored ruins, but also making it possible to experience their original appearance through well-founded reconstructions.

The first reconstructed house (House I) was opened in 2003 in the area of the promenade garden. This was followed in 2005 by House II, the first reconstruction of a central Roman main building using ancient building techniques. These reconstructions are based on the results of decades of excavations and strictly adhere to the principles of modern monument preservation and scientific authenticity.

Reconstruction of the so-called “House of Lucius” in the Roman quarter - © Land NÖ

At the same time, the Heidentor, Carnuntum's landmark, was restored between 1998 and 2001 in a comprehensive general renovation in accordance with the latest monument conservation standards. These measures opened up new dimensions for archaeological education. Carnuntum was increasingly perceived as an internationally recognized model project for the innovative presentation of archaeological cultural landscapes. The concept of an “ancient city that can be experienced” combined scientific seriousness with an attractive range of experiences for a wide variety of target groups, from specialist visitors to families.

These developments paved the way for Carnuntum's future positioning as an international educational center. Targeted investments in state-of-the-art technologies - from 3D visualizations to interactive formats - have significantly increased Carnuntum's appeal in the face of global competition.

Construction of the thermal baths in the open-air area of the Roman town of Carnuntum - © Land NÖ

The progressive deterioration of the “show ruin” created in the 1950s made a large-scale project necessary between 2001 and 2011. During this period, modern stratigraphic methods were used to excavate the areas that had already been uncovered down to the natural soil, where there was no evidence of human intervention. The carefully documented soil layers made it possible to reconstruct an important phase of the city quarter (late 3rd/early 4th century AD) and thus vividly convey Roman life. Both the  Thermal Baths and the Villa Urbana were rebuilt for the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition in 2011, and the House of the Oil Merchant (House I) was the last major reconstruction to be opened in 2019.

Today, archaeological work primarily relies on non-destructive methods, such as geophysical prospection methods, which were recently used to locate the quarters of the governor's guard.