Experience

ANTWERP | Archaeological finds on Vrijdagmarkt

Posted by Timothy on

The Vrijdagmarkt in the centre of Antwerp is currently being prepared for redevelopment. At the end of last year, two bunkers from the Cold War were discovered during the excavation work. During the most recent excavations in recent weeks, the square revealed even more secrets: many interesting finds from various periods, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. ​

The oldest finds go back many centuries: they are a small polished stone axe dating from prehistory – New Stone Age, and handmade pottery from the Iron Age.

From the Roman period, several straight and semi-circular roof tiles (tegulae and imbrices) have been found, as well as fragments of millstones, which were used for grinding grain.

Several large post holes at a depth of 2 metres indicate that a large wooden building stood on the site where the Vrijdagmarkt now lies in the 13th or 14th century. Also striking are the sturdy foundation walls and cellars of the 16th-century block of houses that was built when the square was constructed and demolished in 1836.

In addition to pottery dating from the 10th to the 15th century, beautiful metal finds from that period have also been made: buckles, fibulas (clothing pins), rings including an exceptional 14th-century religious ring with inscription, coins and medals.

Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA), an avid historian and currently the federal formateur: “About seven hundred years ago, an Antwerp resident walked through our streets with a copper ring in the shape of a belt – the symbol of protection and security. The Latin inscription was a plea from the wearer: ‘Mother of God, remember me’. We do not know how, but we do know that the ring eventually ended up in the ground. It was recently found there by our archaeologists in a thick black layer from the 13th to the 15th century. The ring is certainly not unique, although it has survived in a much better condition than the examples kept in the British Museum and in Munich. The wearer may have been a pilgrim, as these rings were a well-known souvenir from various pilgrimage sites in Europe.” ​

“​And the ring is not the only magnificent find our archaeologists made on the Vrijdagmarkt. Before the venture capitalist Gilbert van Schoonbeke developed this neighbourhood in the middle of the 16th century, the Vrijdagmarkt was part of a vast complex of buildings owned by wealthy Antwerp families. This has resulted in a series of beautiful artefacts, some of which are even much older than the ring”, De Wever continues.

“​Unfortunately, Antwerp rarely reveals its secrets. The archaeological legacy of our ancestors has the disadvantage that it shows a lively, vibrant city. Every time we get the chance to dig beneath the ground during a major redevelopment, we are guaranteed a treasure hunt. This was once again evident during the excavations on the Vrijdagmarkt. I would like to sincerely thank all the archaeologists and employees for this.” ​

“​Antwerp residents who want to come and view the excavation site will still have a few days to do so. It is not possible to enter the site itself, but information is provided about the exposed remains. So feel free to come and have a look if you are in the area this weekend or next week”, the Mayor concludes.

“We don’t realise enough what is hidden around us and under our feet. Antwerp – and all of Flanders – has such a long and rich history. There are still so many stories to tell about our past and our ancestors. It is good that we are digging all that up, and thanks to very smooth cooperation between all partners, this does not lead to any additional delays on the Vrijdagmarkt and the work is even progressing well. I am curious to see what researchers will still be able to learn from these finds. We can really be proud of what we have here”, Flemish Minister of Immovable Heritage Ben Weyts (N-VA) says. 

History

The Vrijdagmarkt used to be part of the much larger Hof van Spangen, which stretched from the Steenhouwersvest to the Reyndersstraat and dates back to at least the 15th century. 

In the middle of the 16th century, entrepreneur and land speculator Gilbert van Schoonbeke bought the land to parcel it out. A new square, the Vrijdagmarkt, was created and four streets were added. 

Four houses were built in the centre of the square, and from 1549 onwards, a market in second-hand clothing and furniture was held every Friday. During the 16th century, printing activity in Antwerp boomed. 

Several printers, including Christoffel Plantijn, settled in this part of the city. Today, his house and printing works form the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which has since been recognised as a world heritage site.

Redevelopment

The excavations were carried out because twelve new future trees are being planted on the square, which is being renovated by the District of Antwerp. These trees can live for more than 100 years and need sufficient underground space for their roots. In addition, automatic irrigation and aeration are being installed. After the investigation, parts of the archaeological remains will disappear to make way for the tree structures. 

The Cold War bunkers were already investigated in December and are now being further dismantled. The pump with the statue of Saint Catherine will be preserved at its current location, in the centre of the square.

District Mayor of the Antwerp district Paul Cordy (N-VA): “The excavations on the Vrijdagmarkt show how layered our history is, with relics ranging from prehistory to the Cold War. Some periods are well documented, we know very little about other periods. But even the bunkers from the period we are most familiar with provided us with information that we had lost over the years. It shows the importance of excavations in the historic city centre but also elsewhere. The works in the public domain often provide a good opportunity for archaeological research into our past. When these excavations are sufficiently prepared, they hardly cause any delays or disruption to the planned works.” 

The archaeological research is carried out by Lowlands Archaeological Research (LARes) on behalf of the Flemish Government‘s Immovable Heritage Agency, and is being carried out in collaboration with the archaeology department of the City of Antwerp.

More information can be found on the website www.antwerpenmorgen.be.

Images of the finds.

On the look of Antwerp

2 Comments Add yours

  1. Pingback: Brussels Airport starts update construction works, to be finished by 2032 – Trip By Trip
  2. Pingback: City of Antwerp prepares crackdown on Airbnb growth amid complaints in Sint-Andries – Trip By Trip

Leave a comment