Rarely have the archaeologists of J.Verrijckt from Beerse had such a large ‘playground’ available as the past two months along Houtlaan. “We are gradually completing our work. The hoped-for relics from the Roman period did not emerge at first glance, but we did find traces from the Middle Ages and Iron Age,” said Jeska Pepermans, the archaeologist in charge in Wijnegem.
Project developers Matexi and Novus obtained an environmental permit some time ago for the realization of no fewer than 290 new homes on an area of adjacent meadows between Houtlaan and Ertbruggestraat. It is the site where the farm of Marcel Jacobs, the recently deceased last farmer of Wijnegem, is also located. The area covers approximately five hectares.
READ ALSO. The last farmer of Wijnegem passed away, Marcel Jacobs always lived at Nachtegaelehoeve: “Farming was his long life”
The government obliges project developers to have an archaeological note drawn up before they dig their own shovel into the ground. Few observers were surprised when that analysis showed that there was a real chance of making archaeologically valuable finds in this area. It has already been shown that the Wijnegem subsurface is full of archaeological treasures.
Over the past fifty years, an impressive collection of tangible evidence has been found that Wijnegem was an attractive place to live as early as 6000 BC, but also in many subsequent periods. Guido Cuyt’s Antwerp Society for Roman Archeology uncovered, among other things, the traces of a sanctuary or sacrificial site near the Albert Canal. This could be deduced from the dozens of Roman coins, bracelets and other jewelry found.
The archaeologists had a large area to explore. In the background you can see the Houtlaan bridge. — © Hugo Gerstmans
Students
Once again, thorough archaeological research was recommended. The developers of the Ertbrugge project engaged the office of archaeologist Jeroen Verrijckt from Beerse, currently led by Bart Beyers. He sent archaeologist Jeska Pepermans to Wijnegem.
“It took us two months to do our field work here,” says Pepermans, with a spade in hand and surrounded by dozens of high mountains of sand. “Luckily I wasn’t alone. Crane men came to help with the major excavation work. And for the finer work there were my colleagues and students from the VUB. We had to be extra careful near the NATO pipeline that runs right across here. The bad weather didn’t really bother us.”
Archaeologist Jeska Pepermans on the site where she and her team conducted research for about two months. — © JAA
Not disappointed
The expected traces of activity or habitation in the Roman period did not ‘surface’. “Although it is possible that more thorough research in the laboratory of the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage will still reveal references to the Romans,” says Pepermans.
“We are not disappointed. The traces of old farms that must have stood here in the Middle Ages are also valuable. We found, among other things, remains of a loom. We also came across wells and spots that refer to wooden walls from which the yard and outbuildings were built. And we also found evidence that people lived here from 500 to 50 BC.”
“We found, among other things, the remains of a loom. We also came across water wells and spots that refer to wooden walls from which the yard and outbuildings were built.”
Jeska Pepermans
Archaeologist
Another week of digging, cleaning and carefully loading, and the archaeologists from Beerse will return the site to the project developers. It is not known exactly when the construction of the new residential area will start.
© JAA
© Hugo Gerstmans
© Hugo Gerstmans
© Hugo Gerstmans
© JAA
){kind=link}