The study explores the historical archaeology of the anti-nuclear protest village "Republik Freies Wendland" near Gorleben, using new methods in oral and visual history and systematic artifact analysis. Established in May 1980, the village demonstrated alternative community living, renewable energy use, and grassroots democracy. Integrating archaeological fieldwork, material culture analysis, oral histories, and historical photographs, the research reconstructs daily life and social dynamics within the protest site. A community archaeology approach involves local groups and former participants to democratize archaeological knowledge production through joint fieldwork, interviews, events, a film, and an exhibition.

The study highlights the site's significance as a cultural heritage of hope and addresses ongoing issues of nuclear waste storage. It offers new insights for those interested in contemporary and historical archaeology, community archaeology, and material culture studies, enriching the understanding of Wendland's regional history and the anti-nuclear movement.