The Netherlands: skeleton found from possibly two thousand years ago

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Source (Dutch only): Skelet van mogelijk 2000 jaar oud gevonden langs Gelderse dijk

NOS News - Regional News - today, 15:18
Skeleton of possibly 2,000 years old found along Gelderse dike

The skeleton is possibly from the Roman period - Image: Water Board Rivierenland


During work on the Waaldijk near Oosterhout (Gelderland), an ancient skeleton was found. It concerns human remains from the time of the Romans or the early Middle Ages. "The skeleton is between 1500 and 2000 years old," says archaeologist Eric Norde to Omroep Gelderland.

Archaeologists started two weeks ago with research along the Waaldijk between Wolferen (Overbetuwe municipality) and Sprok (Nijmegen). People will soon be working on reinforcing the dike along a length of 15 kilometers.

During that research they also found a farmyard dating back to the Roman period. "This mainly involved wooden remains of the farm. We also found the remains of a well," says Norde.

Lump of rust

X-rays must reveal whether the skeleton also comes from the Roman period. "That would be special, because dead people were generally cremated and not buried back then." If the skeleton is from the early Middle Ages, the archaeologist says that would also be special, because hardly any finds from that time have been made in the region.

A lump of rust was also found with the skeleton, which is now being examined in a laboratory.

Norde expects to make more discoveries along the Waal dike in the near future. Archaeological research is being conducted at 26 sites. "The area through which the dike passes has a fairly rich history. We want to avoid having any remains in the ground that would be destroyed by the work on the dike."


Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Similar coverage (In Dutch):
Skelet van misschien wel 2000 jaar oud gevonden langs de Waaldijk
Tweeduizend jaar oud skelet ontdekt bij dijk in Gelderland