GORINCHEM – During the archaeological excavations in the trench next to the Great Tower In Gorinchem, no special features were found except for bones and some shard remains.
Some of the excavated bones and shards have been taken to a specialized laboratory for further examination. Further examination of the bones should reveal the age of the excavated skeletal parts. Perhaps, based on that examination, it can also be determined whether the people buried there suffered from a disease.
Maja d'Hollosy and Toos Busch busy registering the finds
Last week's excavations were a follow-up to excavation work in and around the tower at the beginning of this year. The fire-fighting water pipe in the tower had to be relocated. During excavation work, many more human bones were found than expected. Until 1830, the area around the tower and the church was a cemetery.
In order to gather more information about the cemetery, it was decided in January to temporarily cover the remains with bricks again. City archaeologist Eliza van Rooijen then drew up a plan of action for further research.
The trench dug next to the tower gave a diverse picture. In some places the bones were completely mixed up, in other places the skeleton was still almost as it was once laid down. Some wooden remains of coffins were also found. The bones will eventually all be reburied in the General Cemetery.
AD Rivierenland
May 30, 2008