Papers by Erwin Meylemans
Notae Praehistoricae, 2023
De vondst van een spits, uit dierlijk materiaal, uit de Dijle, sluit aan bij de andere vondsten v... more De vondst van een spits, uit dierlijk materiaal, uit de Dijle, sluit aan bij de andere vondsten van dergelijke objecten in het Scheldebekken, en wijst wellicht vooral op prehistorische activiteit in het vroegmesolithicum. Gezien de landschappelijke situatie van de Dijlevallei, met een bijzonder brede en rijke alluviale vlakte die ontstond in het laatglaciaal en die gedurende het mesolithicum bijzonder aantrekkelijk moet geweest zijn voor de prehistorische mens hoeft de ontdekking van deze vondst niet te verbazen.
Signa, 2022
Het beschermd cultuurhistorisch landschap “Heverleebos en Meerdaalwoud” (fig. 1) was zeker de laa... more Het beschermd cultuurhistorisch landschap “Heverleebos en Meerdaalwoud” (fig. 1) was zeker de laatste 800 jaar, en waarschijnlijk al 1500 jaar, ononderbroken bebost. Hierdoor bevat het een goed bewaard archeologisch bodemarchief, met gekende sites van de prehistorie tot de Nieuwste Tijd. Het eerste systematisch archeologisch onderzoek in Meerdaalwoud werd uitgevoerd door Charles Dens en gaat reeds terug tot het begin van de 20ste eeuw. Vooral dankzij het eerste Digitaal Hoogtemodel van Vlaanderen (DHMV1) (rasterresolutie 4 m²) was er vanaf de periode 2004-2005 hernieuwde aandacht voor dit erfgoed. In 2014 kwam er een nieuwe versie van het digitaal hoogtemodel (DHMV2) beschikbaar. Dit model heeft een nog veel hogere resolutie en biedt zo weer nieuwe mogelijkheden voor de prospectie naar en evaluatie van archeologische en cultuurhistorische relicten. Deze bijdrage brengt een synthese van de gekende gegevens over de Romeinse periode in Meerdaalwoud, met toevoeging van enkele nieuwe resultaten dankzij de analyse van de hoge resolutie DHMV2 producten.
Foraging assemblages : papers presented at the ninth International Conference on the Mesolithic in Europe, Belgrade 2015, volume 2, 2021
Uit de kluiten gewassen: een toevalsvondst van ijzertijdurnen in een grafheuvelcomplex te Postel (Mol, prov. Antwerpen, België), 2022
Report on an archaeological chance find resulting in an excavation of an early Iron age burial si... more Report on an archaeological chance find resulting in an excavation of an early Iron age burial site.
Signa, 2021
This paper describes a number or Roman artefacts (mainly coins and brooches) discovered through a... more This paper describes a number or Roman artefacts (mainly coins and brooches) discovered through amateur metal detecting in Flanders (Belgium). The finds probably indicate the presence of an open air sanctuary dating from the 1st tot 3d centuries AD.
Notae Praehistoricae, 2017
In de collectie van G. Hasse bevindt zich een groot aantal hertshoornen artefacten van de site Pa... more In de collectie van G. Hasse bevindt zich een groot aantal hertshoornen artefacten van de site Paardeweide. Dit artikel bespreekt deze collectie, die getuigt van bewoning van het laatmesolithicum, finaal mesolithucm (Swifterbant?) tot midden neolithicum (Michelsberg?). De collectie wordt ook in het breder verhaal geplaatst van de lokale en regionale landschappelijke evolutie.
Op basis van een analyse van het dhm Vlaanderen wordt een overzicht geboden van Celtic Field comp... more Op basis van een analyse van het dhm Vlaanderen wordt een overzicht geboden van Celtic Field complexen in de Antwerpse Kempen. Deze complexen worden vervolgens geplaats t in hun landschappelijk en archeologisch kader.
The excavations of the multiperiod (Mesolithic-Neolithic) site of Bazel-Sluis in the lower Scheld... more The excavations of the multiperiod (Mesolithic-Neolithic) site of Bazel-Sluis in the lower Scheldt valley in Belgium revealed the presence of a number of carbonized cereal grains, of which 24 were radiocarbon ated.
These results indicate three chronological clusters, respectively between 4850/4610 – 4530/4330 cal BC; 4430/4250 – 4270/3980 cal BC; and 4050/3840 – 3680/3480 cal BC. In accordance with this chronology the culturalremains on the site are affiliated with the Late Mesolithic, Swifterbant and Michelsberg cultural groups, and display contacts with the Bandkeramik and Rössen cultures. The oldest cereal remains are the oldest thus far recorded in a Mesolithic context in the coversand region of North-Western Europe. When assessed within the framework of the archaeological data from the wider region it seems that these finds are to be explained within a first stage of neolithisation, associated with contacts with the Blicquy and Rössen cultural groups. From ca. 4300
cal BC the Michelsberg cultural group seems to be the main instigator for the further advance of the neolithisation process.
Archaologisches Korrespondenzblatt
Review paper on the conference session held at EAA Helsinki 2012, considering different approache... more Review paper on the conference session held at EAA Helsinki 2012, considering different approaches towards lithic scatters and landscapes, across Europe.
Through the analysis of new LIDAR data with a mean resolution of 8 measuring points / m2 a survey... more Through the analysis of new LIDAR data with a mean resolution of 8 measuring points / m2 a survey was conducted of
the Campine plateau, an area which is known to harbour many protohistoric sites, including several field complexes
(Celtic fields) as revealed through aerial photography and a previous LIDAR survey with a lower resolution. This approach
revealed a large number of previously unknown Celtic fields, extending these prehistoric field complexes to
several hundreds of hectares. The presence of other known archaeological finds and sites within the confines or surrounding
the field systems suggests that the complexes on the Campine plateau were mainly in use during the Hallstatt
C-D and Early La Tène periods. On a broader regional scale the distribution of Celtic fields in Flanders seems to be related
to areas with slightly richer (loamier) sandy soils, i. e. the northern part of the Campine plateau and a region in the
Antwerp Campine region. These newly discovered and extended structured complexes foremost provide an important
framework for further spatial analysis, research and management of the protohistoric landscape.
Over the last decade, excavations in the lower Scheldt river basin (NW Belgium) have identified t... more Over the last decade, excavations in the lower Scheldt river basin (NW Belgium) have identified the first presence of the transitional MesolithiceNeolithic Swifterbant culture, previously only known from the Netherlands and one site in northwest Germany. These excavations have also yielded the first evidence for the presence of Early Neolithic Linearbandkeramik, Limbourg, Blicquy and Epi-R€ ossen cultural remains in these wetland landscapes. High quality organic preservation at these sites offered the opportunity to reliably place the Swifterbant within the absolute chronology of the MesolithiceNeolithic transition in this region, as well as the reconstruction of Swifterbant subsistence practices, most notably the incorporation of cattle husbandry into a traditional hunting-fishing-gathering economy. Two different site types could be identified between the six excavated sites e dune and natural levee sites e which had contemporaneous periods of occupation, but different occupation histories. The integration of the dates from these different site types with the palaeoenvironmental dates provides an initial model of the Swifterbant settlement system in the area and its role in the specific tempo and trajectories of cultural and economic change that occurred during the neolithisation of the Scheldt basin. This model consists of relatively specialized and temporarily inhabited cattle and hunting-fishing camps on the dunes and larger, more continuously occupied levee camps along the river valleys. Bayesian statistical modeling suggests that Swifterbant occupation of the dune sites occurred during a brackish water flooding period and that occupation of the levee sites was more continuous.
De analyse van de eerste versie van het Digitaal Hoogtemodel Vlaanderen toonde op het Kempisch pl... more De analyse van de eerste versie van het Digitaal Hoogtemodel Vlaanderen toonde op het Kempisch plateau de aanwezigheid van talrijke Celtic Field complexen in 'historische' bosgebieden . Zeer recent kwamen delen van een nieuwe versie van dit DHM Vlaanderen vrij, met een veel hogere resolutie (gemiddeld 16 meetpunten/m² voor DHM2, t.a.v. gemiddeld 1 meetpunt per 4m² voor DHM1). Dit nieuwe DHM toont voor het eerst ook in de Antwerpse Kempen de aanwezigheid van een relatief uitgestrekt Celtic Field complex, op het domein van kasteel 'De Hees' in Rijkevorsel ( , 2). Deze bijdrage bespreekt kort dit complex, en de betekenis van deze resultaten in het licht van andere gegevens in deze regio.
Over the last decade, excavations in the lower Scheldt river basin (NW Belgium) have identified t... more Over the last decade, excavations in the lower Scheldt river basin (NW Belgium) have identified the first presence of the transitional MesolithiceNeolithic Swifterbant culture, previously only known from the Netherlands and one site in northwest Germany. These excavations have also yielded the first evidence for the presence of Early Neolithic Linearbandkeramik, Limbourg, Blicquy and Epi-R€ ossen cultural remains in these wetland landscapes. High quality organic preservation at these sites offered the opportunity to reliably place the Swifterbant within the absolute chronology of the MesolithiceNeolithic transition in this region, as well as the reconstruction of Swifterbant subsistence practices, most notably the incorporation of cattle husbandry into a traditional hunting-fishing-gathering economy. Two different site types could be identified between the six excavated sites e dune and natural levee sites e which had contemporaneous periods of occupation, but different occupation histories. The integration of the dates from these different site types with the palaeoenvironmental dates provides an initial model of the Swifterbant settlement system in the area and its role in the specific tempo and trajectories of cultural and economic change that occurred during the neolithisation of the Scheldt basin. This model consists of relatively specialized and temporarily inhabited cattle and hunting-fishing camps on the dunes and larger, more continuously occupied levee camps along the river valleys. Bayesian statistical modeling suggests that Swifterbant occupation of the dune sites occurred during a brackish water flooding period and that occupation of the levee sites was more continuous.
This article presents a collection of surface finds from the Kleine Nete valley in Flanders, Belg... more This article presents a collection of surface finds from the Kleine Nete valley in Flanders, Belgium. These finds, in combination with older data and excavation results from 2007 (Van Peer et al. 2007) highlight the importance of this area for prehistoric research, with sites ranging from the final palaeolithic to neolithic periods. Most of the findspots are situated on distinct higher ‘outcrops’ in the alluvial plain, however, smaller concentrations are present in the lower parts of the topography. As the excavation from 2007 already indicated these finds might relate to buried sites and present palaeosols or –sediments. The excavation and a recent augering survey indeed demonstrated the presence of lateglacial and Holocene sediments and/or soils in the area, for which the spatial variation and distribution are however hard to grasp without field research on a high resolution.
In light of a wetland creation project (www.sigmaplan.be) a geo-archaeological survey was
carried... more In light of a wetland creation project (www.sigmaplan.be) a geo-archaeological survey was
carried out in the are Wijmeers 2 (municipality of Wichelen, Flanders). This resulted in the
discovery of two archaeological find complexes, which were subsequently evaluated with a
test pitting survey. This report discusses the results of this evaluation campaign.
The first site entails a prehistoric find complex situated on two parallel point bar ridges,
directly adjacent to a former avulsion branch of the prehistoric river Scheldt. The combined
finds from an augering and subsequent test pitting survey indicate the presence of several
occupation phases, in the early/ middle Mesolithic, final Mesolithic/ early Neolithic, middle
Neolithic, and Final Neolithic periods. Overall, this palimpsest pattern demonstrates a rather
low density spread of finds, probably indicating mostly the presence of ‘special activity’ sites,
rather than settlement locations. By the end of the Neolithic period/ beginning of the Bronze
Age the fossil gully was completely filled up with organic and clastic sediments, ultimately
resulting in ‘drowning’ of the adjacent point bar ridges.
The second site is situated on a sandy (crevasse) plateau, covered by a thin layer of floodplain
sediments, directly to the north of a fossil branch of the Scheldt river. The evaluation testpit in
2008 revealed the presence of a waste layer sloping down in this gully. The finds in this waste
layer pointed towards an intensive Roman (2nd century) occupation in the immediate vicinity,
with pollen analysis indicating an almost completely deforested environment, and the
presence of pastures and agricultural practices. A preventive excavation campaign followed
this evaluation excavation in 2012, which indeed revealed the presence of a rural Roman
settlement from the 2nd century AD (Meylemans et al. in prep.). .
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Papers by Erwin Meylemans
These results indicate three chronological clusters, respectively between 4850/4610 – 4530/4330 cal BC; 4430/4250 – 4270/3980 cal BC; and 4050/3840 – 3680/3480 cal BC. In accordance with this chronology the culturalremains on the site are affiliated with the Late Mesolithic, Swifterbant and Michelsberg cultural groups, and display contacts with the Bandkeramik and Rössen cultures. The oldest cereal remains are the oldest thus far recorded in a Mesolithic context in the coversand region of North-Western Europe. When assessed within the framework of the archaeological data from the wider region it seems that these finds are to be explained within a first stage of neolithisation, associated with contacts with the Blicquy and Rössen cultural groups. From ca. 4300
cal BC the Michelsberg cultural group seems to be the main instigator for the further advance of the neolithisation process.
the Campine plateau, an area which is known to harbour many protohistoric sites, including several field complexes
(Celtic fields) as revealed through aerial photography and a previous LIDAR survey with a lower resolution. This approach
revealed a large number of previously unknown Celtic fields, extending these prehistoric field complexes to
several hundreds of hectares. The presence of other known archaeological finds and sites within the confines or surrounding
the field systems suggests that the complexes on the Campine plateau were mainly in use during the Hallstatt
C-D and Early La Tène periods. On a broader regional scale the distribution of Celtic fields in Flanders seems to be related
to areas with slightly richer (loamier) sandy soils, i. e. the northern part of the Campine plateau and a region in the
Antwerp Campine region. These newly discovered and extended structured complexes foremost provide an important
framework for further spatial analysis, research and management of the protohistoric landscape.
carried out in the are Wijmeers 2 (municipality of Wichelen, Flanders). This resulted in the
discovery of two archaeological find complexes, which were subsequently evaluated with a
test pitting survey. This report discusses the results of this evaluation campaign.
The first site entails a prehistoric find complex situated on two parallel point bar ridges,
directly adjacent to a former avulsion branch of the prehistoric river Scheldt. The combined
finds from an augering and subsequent test pitting survey indicate the presence of several
occupation phases, in the early/ middle Mesolithic, final Mesolithic/ early Neolithic, middle
Neolithic, and Final Neolithic periods. Overall, this palimpsest pattern demonstrates a rather
low density spread of finds, probably indicating mostly the presence of ‘special activity’ sites,
rather than settlement locations. By the end of the Neolithic period/ beginning of the Bronze
Age the fossil gully was completely filled up with organic and clastic sediments, ultimately
resulting in ‘drowning’ of the adjacent point bar ridges.
The second site is situated on a sandy (crevasse) plateau, covered by a thin layer of floodplain
sediments, directly to the north of a fossil branch of the Scheldt river. The evaluation testpit in
2008 revealed the presence of a waste layer sloping down in this gully. The finds in this waste
layer pointed towards an intensive Roman (2nd century) occupation in the immediate vicinity,
with pollen analysis indicating an almost completely deforested environment, and the
presence of pastures and agricultural practices. A preventive excavation campaign followed
this evaluation excavation in 2012, which indeed revealed the presence of a rural Roman
settlement from the 2nd century AD (Meylemans et al. in prep.). .
These results indicate three chronological clusters, respectively between 4850/4610 – 4530/4330 cal BC; 4430/4250 – 4270/3980 cal BC; and 4050/3840 – 3680/3480 cal BC. In accordance with this chronology the culturalremains on the site are affiliated with the Late Mesolithic, Swifterbant and Michelsberg cultural groups, and display contacts with the Bandkeramik and Rössen cultures. The oldest cereal remains are the oldest thus far recorded in a Mesolithic context in the coversand region of North-Western Europe. When assessed within the framework of the archaeological data from the wider region it seems that these finds are to be explained within a first stage of neolithisation, associated with contacts with the Blicquy and Rössen cultural groups. From ca. 4300
cal BC the Michelsberg cultural group seems to be the main instigator for the further advance of the neolithisation process.
the Campine plateau, an area which is known to harbour many protohistoric sites, including several field complexes
(Celtic fields) as revealed through aerial photography and a previous LIDAR survey with a lower resolution. This approach
revealed a large number of previously unknown Celtic fields, extending these prehistoric field complexes to
several hundreds of hectares. The presence of other known archaeological finds and sites within the confines or surrounding
the field systems suggests that the complexes on the Campine plateau were mainly in use during the Hallstatt
C-D and Early La Tène periods. On a broader regional scale the distribution of Celtic fields in Flanders seems to be related
to areas with slightly richer (loamier) sandy soils, i. e. the northern part of the Campine plateau and a region in the
Antwerp Campine region. These newly discovered and extended structured complexes foremost provide an important
framework for further spatial analysis, research and management of the protohistoric landscape.
carried out in the are Wijmeers 2 (municipality of Wichelen, Flanders). This resulted in the
discovery of two archaeological find complexes, which were subsequently evaluated with a
test pitting survey. This report discusses the results of this evaluation campaign.
The first site entails a prehistoric find complex situated on two parallel point bar ridges,
directly adjacent to a former avulsion branch of the prehistoric river Scheldt. The combined
finds from an augering and subsequent test pitting survey indicate the presence of several
occupation phases, in the early/ middle Mesolithic, final Mesolithic/ early Neolithic, middle
Neolithic, and Final Neolithic periods. Overall, this palimpsest pattern demonstrates a rather
low density spread of finds, probably indicating mostly the presence of ‘special activity’ sites,
rather than settlement locations. By the end of the Neolithic period/ beginning of the Bronze
Age the fossil gully was completely filled up with organic and clastic sediments, ultimately
resulting in ‘drowning’ of the adjacent point bar ridges.
The second site is situated on a sandy (crevasse) plateau, covered by a thin layer of floodplain
sediments, directly to the north of a fossil branch of the Scheldt river. The evaluation testpit in
2008 revealed the presence of a waste layer sloping down in this gully. The finds in this waste
layer pointed towards an intensive Roman (2nd century) occupation in the immediate vicinity,
with pollen analysis indicating an almost completely deforested environment, and the
presence of pastures and agricultural practices. A preventive excavation campaign followed
this evaluation excavation in 2012, which indeed revealed the presence of a rural Roman
settlement from the 2nd century AD (Meylemans et al. in prep.). .
Based on cultural material, we can chronologically place this habitation from the late 1st century or the early 2nd century AD to the early 3rd century AD. The waste deposits, particularly those associated with the fully excavated homestead in the eastern part of the site, offer a remarkable and, so far, unique insight into the livelihoods of the inhabitants of a rural Roman site, both for the Scheldt Valley and the region as a whole.
archeologisch erfgoed in Vlaanderen. Naast tal van andere relicten (karrensporenbundels, aarden wallen, …) kunnen op basis van dit hoogtemodel immers minstens 25, mogelijk 29 van dergelijke heuvels herkend worden in Heverleebos. Deze heuvels vormen wellicht de kernen van verschillende grafvelden, die zicht tussen en rond de heuvels uitstrekken. De juiste omvang van deze sites is nog niet duidelijk, en kan alleen via verder terreinonderzoek vastgesteld worden. In de eerste plaats wijst dit op een enorm uitgestrekt, rijk en goed bewaard prehistorisch
cultuurlandschap waarin naast de funeraire sites ook sporen van
nederzettingen, landbouw, etc. kunnen verwacht worden.