Discovery can be made with mice. Archaeologists stumble upon thirteenth-century foundation

GORINCHEM – On their last day of research in the city centre of Gorcum, archaeologists have discovered foundations of houses from the thirteenth century. Never before have traces of houses of the common man been found in the Arkelstad.

So far, the foundations uncovered during the search for the Court of the Lords of Arkel in 2002 the oldest traces of construction in the city centre of Gorinchem. Just like the remains discovered yesterday, they date back to the thirteenth century. With the difference that the rich people of Gorinchem lived on the plot where the V&D is now located. "The fact that we are now finding traces of an ordinary house is very special," says Pieter Floore, senior archaeologist of Hollandia ArchaeologistsHis office is conducting research on the corner of Arkelstraat and Rosmolensteeg on behalf of the housing association Port 6. This will start next week with the reconstruction of the Bluebandhuis.

Expectations

The diverse finds on the plot fully meet his expectations. “Based on a study on the corner of Kortendijk and Rosmolensteeg in 2007, we already had an idea of ​​what we might find. We are not disappointed, on the contrary.” The archaeologists describe the uncovering of the horse mill earlier this week as special. “Thanks to a city map by Jacob Roelofs van Deventer, a cartographer who recorded all the cities in detail on behalf of Charles V, we know about the existence of the horse mill. The fact that we then also find it is wonderful. Especially when you consider that it is largely made of wood,” says Floore. It is difficult to say when the horse mill was built. “It is a fact that the horse-powered milling installation was there around 1575, because the city map dates from that time. Based on that same map, I also dare to say that part of the mill is at least under Arkelstraat 104. It may extend even further. It was a large mill,” Floore concludes.

Few utensils

During their work – which lasted two weeks – the archaeologists and volunteers of the Archaeology Working Group of the Municipality of Gorinchem came across relatively few utensils. For example, no glassware was found at all. That was practically unaffordable for the common man in the Middle Ages. But the harvest in terms of pottery is not rich either. A small water jug ​​that emerged from the ground almost intact is second choice according to Martin Veen of the Archaeology Working Group. It has a large dent that occurred during production. “Those things were mass-produced, they are the beer cans of the Middle Ages,” says Veen.

From 14^de-century grey-fired earthenware water jug ​​that also came to light is also not a unique find. There are several on the shelf in the archaeological depot of the municipality of Gorinchem. “Only this was a jug with a surprise,” says Veen, laughing. He restored the earthenware. When the jug was emptied, no fewer than fourteen mouse skeletons were found in the black sludge. “So it is a medieval mousetrap. The jug was probably dug in. Unsuspecting mice walked to their deaths. Once they had landed on the bottom, they could not get out. Within a few hours, those animals were dead. Why the Gorcumer who set the trap did not empty it remains a mystery. “For us, of course, it is wonderful. You only make a find like that once. The pot must have been made somewhere between 1350 and 1425. A similar trap was also found during archaeological excavations for the construction of the Betuweroute near Kerk-Avezaath,” says Veen.

Pin

The archaeologists also found a lead pin. The trinket measures 2,8 by 2,4 centimetres. It depicts a seated man with a bellows and a spinning wheel, the stick on which the wool was placed. The attributes have been lost. “It is a worldly pin, that much is certain. They have been found before, which is why we know what this man must be holding in his hands. Such a thing is appealing,” says Veen.

Anja Broeken
AD Rivierenland
November 12, 2011