Van Zomerenlaan and D.F Pauwstraat (2020)

DF Pauwstraat in northern direction during field work

Commissioned by Van der Helm Environmental Management BV heeft Bureau of Archaeology In May 2020, a desk and inventory field study in the form of drilling was carried out for excavation work on Van Zomerenlaan and DF Pauwstraat.

The research question is: how can any archaeological values ​​be taken into account in the proposed development? The research was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the KNA, protocols 4002 and 4003. Maps, databases and literature were consulted for the research to arrive at a specified archaeological expectation of the location. In the plan area, the buildings are demolished and excavation work is carried out up to approximately 150 cm -mv.

Settlements of the Linge

The research location is located in a basin area where a layer of clay and peat of approximately 9,5 meters thick has been deposited on the Pleistocene level. This process has been able to take place almost uninterruptedly until the rivers were embanked at the beginning of the Middle Ages. The plan area is located approximately 800 meters north of the historical center of Gorinchem, the place is first mentioned in historical sources from the 13th century. The location is approximately 40 meters east of the towpath between Gorinchem and Vianen. The plan area is undeveloped on historical maps until 1950. The buildings were demolished in 2020.

Drilling research

In the plan area, eight boreholes were placed up to 500 cm -mv. The natural subsoil consists of basin deposits of the Linge on peat. In four boreholes, strongly silty to sandy deposits are present between 400 and 500 cm -mv. These were possibly formed from the Gorkum-Arkel bedding belt and may therefore contain archaeological remains. These deposits lie deeper than the maximum excavation depth.

The Bureau for Archaeology advises to release the plan area for the proposed development.

This research has been carried out with great care. However, it can never be ruled out that archaeological remains will be found during the excavation work in places and at depths where they are not expected. Any archaeological remains must be reported to the Minister of Education, Culture and Science in accordance with the Heritage Act of 2015. In this case, it is recommended to contact the municipality of Gorinchem.