Industrial estate East II (2010)

East Business Park, with the research area outlined in red

In July and August 2010, ACVU-HBS (Archeological Centre Vrije Universiteit – Hendrik Brunsting Foundation) investigated the undeveloped part of Bedrijventerrein Oost II in Gorinchem on behalf of the municipality of Gorinchem. The municipality asked ACVU-HBS to conduct a study into the archaeological expectations. The study started with a desk study with exploratory and mapping drillings. 

In both the exploratory and mapping drillings, the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt, bank deposits on peat that can be associated with the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt and crevasse deposits that can be associated with the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt, a branch of the Linge stream belt or an unknown stream belt, were found in the shallow subsurface. No dregs were found during this study. Apart from charcoal, which naturally occurs in abundance in the river area, no archaeological indicators were found in the stream belt. Furthermore, any vegetation horizons and/​or cultural layers are missing. The deposits of the Gorcum-Arkel stream belt have been demonstrated at approximately 3 to 5 m below sea level and crevasse deposits have been found at least 2 m below sea level. The only archaeological indicator found with a date from the Late Middle Ages (IJsselsteen) was found at the site of a former road and probably served as a pavement.

Recommendation

Despite the fact that the deposits of the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt, bank deposits on peat of the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt and crevasse deposits that can be associated with the Gorkum-Arkel stream belt or a branch of the Linge stream belt or an unknown stream belt, were found in the shallow subsurface with a (medium) high archaeological expectation, a clearly recognisable cultural layer is missing in the top of the deposits. There were no indications that archaeological sites were located in the plan area, but this cannot be completely ruled out on the basis of this drilling investigation. It seems valid to assume that the chance of finding archaeological sites is low, which is mainly due to the absence of soil formation on the deposits of the stream belt and crevasses. The top of the Gorcum-Arkel stream belt, on which archaeological remains may be located, was found at approximately 3 to 5 m below sea level and crevasse deposits were found at least at 2 m below sea level. The surface of the pile foundations that would cause a disturbance at that level is negligibly small compared to the area to be built and paved. It was therefore advised to release the research area.