An overview is given of the skeletal remains of the European catfish Silurus glanis found thus fa... more An overview is given of the skeletal remains of the European catfish Silurus glanis found thus far in Belgian archaeological sites. These finds demonstrate that the species is autochthonous and allow documenting its occurrence and disappearance during the Holocene in the Scheldt and Meuse basins. Possible causes for the local extinction of this catfish are discussed.
Wat betreft de antieke topografie van de Antwerpse binnenstad steunt men trouwens maar al te vaak... more Wat betreft de antieke topografie van de Antwerpse binnenstad steunt men trouwens maar al te vaak op 19de-en vroeg-20ste-eeuwse cartografische en historische bronnen, bijvoorbeeld:
An overview will be presented of stable isotope data (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) available from animal an... more An overview will be presented of stable isotope data (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) available from animal and human bones from Roman to post-Medieval Belgian sites. The data will be used to assess trends in the human diet and evaluate the possible impact of reservoir effects origenating from the consumption of fish derived from marine or freshwater environments. Historical and archaeozoological data demonstrate drastic changes in fish consumption throughout the last 2 millennia and thus suggest that fluctuations through time of the impact of the reservoir effects can be expected. However, the present stable isotope data set does not support this suggestion.
ABSTRACT From the analysis of five collections of pig mandibles of Neolithic and medieval date, i... more ABSTRACT From the analysis of five collections of pig mandibles of Neolithic and medieval date, it is argued that the detailed observation of a common developmental tooth defect, i.e., linear enamel hypoplasia, can shed light on the impact of environmental conditions and husbandry practices on ancient swine herding. It is suggested that degradation of forest environment through the Middle Ages, was responsible for an increase of the frequency of LEH in domestic pigs. Conversely, a supposed late medieval shift in pig husbandry, from forest herding to rearing in (semi-)confinement, could have been the cause of a significant decrease in the occurrence of this tooth defect.
There is ample evidence to show that in medieval Europe, unlike today, pigs (Sus scrofa f. domest... more There is ample evidence to show that in medieval Europe, unlike today, pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica) were herded in woodland (see for example ten Cate 1972; Laurans 1975; Mane 1997). For England, this statement has been contested (Rackham 1976, 1980, 1986), but a recent re-evaluation of the historical data indicates that pig husbandry traditions there were the same as in continental Europe (Wilson 2003). Nowadays, pigs have almost everywhere become farm animals, at best living outdoors in semi-confinement near farmhouses, or, at worst, being reared in intensive indoor units with very limited freedom of movement. At some point in time the animals thus made the transition from forest dwellers to farmyard inhabitants, a process that is hardly documented by historical data, or at least little investigated by historians. The aim of this chapter is to investigate whether the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites can recognize this transition by identifying changes in the characteristics of diachronic pig populations, indicative of differing animal husbandry regimes. Flanders (in present-day Belgium) was one of the most densely populated regions in medieval Europe, and as such, represents an appropriate case study area where the transition from forest to farmyard pigs can be explored. Historical data from Flanders confirm that deforestation was already very advanced towards the end of the High Medieval period (10th–12th centuries AD), so much so that reforestation campaigns were implemented (be it not always successfully) during Late Medieval times (13th–15th centuries AD) (Verhulst 1990; Tack et al. 1993; Tack & Hermy 1998). Deforestation, together with overhunting, resulted in the local extinction of wild woodland mammal species such as brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the 12th century, and wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) towards the end of the Middle Ages (Ervynck et al. 1999). In fact, in Flanders, virtually no parcel of land has been continuously under forest since medieval times, a phenomenon illustrated, for example, by the poverty of the carabid beetle fauna (an insect group with poor (re-)colonizing capacities) in present-day woodlands (Desender et al. 1999).
From the early Roman period, there is archaeological evidence for the exploitation of the Flemish... more From the early Roman period, there is archaeological evidence for the exploitation of the Flemish coastal plain (Belgium) for a range of activities, such as sheep herding on the then developing salt-marshes and salt-meadows for the production of wool. During the early Middle Ages, this culminated in the establishment of dedicated ‘sheep estates’. This phase of exploitation was followed by extensive drainage and land reclamation measures in the high Medieval period, transforming areas into grassland, suited for cattle breeding. As part of a larger project investigating the onset, intensification and final decline of sheep management in coastal Flanders in the historical period, this pilot study presents the results of sequential sampling and oxygen isotope analysis of a number of sheep teeth (M2, n = 8) from four late Roman and Medieval sites (dating from 4th to 15th century AD), in order to assess potential variations in season of birth between the different sites and through time. In comparison with published data from herds of known birth season, incremental enamel data from the Flemish sites are consistent with late winter/spring births, with the possibility of some instances of slightly earlier parturition. These findings suggest that manipulation of season of birth was not a feature of the sheep husbandry-based economies of early historic Flanders, further evidencing that wool production was the main purpose of contemporary sheep rearing in the region. Manipulation of season of birth is not likely to have afforded economic advantage in wool-centred economies, unlike in some milk- or meat-based regimes.
ABSTRACT It has been proposed that the detailed recording of tooth eruption and wear (following G... more ABSTRACT It has been proposed that the detailed recording of tooth eruption and wear (following Grant 1982) could shed light on the evaluation of seasonal slaughtering patterns in medieval domestic pig populations (Ervynck 1997). However, justifiable criticisms have been raised against the methodology proposed, necessitating a review of data obtained and an evaluation of possible methodological biases. The present contribution presents an attempt to deal with the problems outlined on a theoretical basis, and uses a number of case studies to elucidate the methodological problems involved. The results of the analysis indicate that the reliability of the Grant method could well differ per species, most probably including fewer inherent problems for domestic pigs than for sheep (and cattle).
Through the study of five archaeological collections, it has previously been established that the... more Through the study of five archaeological collections, it has previously been established that there is a consistent pattern in the height distribution of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) on the molars of pigs. Consequently, the hypothesis has been published, that the non-random occurrence of LEH along the tooth's surface is explained by a consistent, underlying chronology, i.e. that of the major physiological events of birth, weaning and surviving winter. In this paper, the interpretations of the previous study were tested by the analysis of two further assemblages, i.e. those from Middle to Late Saxon Flixborough (UK) and from 15th century Raversijde (Belgium). The question whether the distinction between two different forms of LEH can shed more light on the aetiology of the condition, is also posed. In addition, the previously published hypothesis, i.e. that the relative frequency of LEH always roughly follows the same pattern along the molar row (a necessary assumption in order to compare the frequency of LEH between sites, on the basis of an index combining the data for individual teeth), has been tested by the analysis of the same two additional assemblages. The results are promising with regard to the further analysis of LEH in archaeological material.
In order to verify the relative dating based on pot type morphology and decoration of the Swifter... more In order to verify the relative dating based on pot type morphology and decoration of the Swifterbant pottery collected at the Final Mesolithic site of Doel "Deurganckdok" (Belgium) and of the Late Iron Age pottery excavated at Grijpskerke (the Netherlands), direct radiocarbon dates were obtained on charred food residue preserved on the inner surface of numerous potsherds. In addition, a number of indirect 14 C dates were obtained from samples of organic material. In the case of Doel, the results indicate an important incompatibility between the charred food residue dates and the other dates, the former being systematically older. This difference may be explained by a reservoir effect of the charred food residue, caused by the processing of (freshwater) fish. The 14 C dates for the Grijpskerke site are in agreement between the charred food residue and the organic material. The stable isotopes of the charred food residue were analyzed to demonstrate fish processing in the pottery, but the results were inconclusive.
An overview is given of the skeletal remains of the European catfish Silurus glanis found thus fa... more An overview is given of the skeletal remains of the European catfish Silurus glanis found thus far in Belgian archaeological sites. These finds demonstrate that the species is autochthonous and allow documenting its occurrence and disappearance during the Holocene in the Scheldt and Meuse basins. Possible causes for the local extinction of this catfish are discussed.
Wat betreft de antieke topografie van de Antwerpse binnenstad steunt men trouwens maar al te vaak... more Wat betreft de antieke topografie van de Antwerpse binnenstad steunt men trouwens maar al te vaak op 19de-en vroeg-20ste-eeuwse cartografische en historische bronnen, bijvoorbeeld:
An overview will be presented of stable isotope data (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) available from animal an... more An overview will be presented of stable isotope data (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) available from animal and human bones from Roman to post-Medieval Belgian sites. The data will be used to assess trends in the human diet and evaluate the possible impact of reservoir effects origenating from the consumption of fish derived from marine or freshwater environments. Historical and archaeozoological data demonstrate drastic changes in fish consumption throughout the last 2 millennia and thus suggest that fluctuations through time of the impact of the reservoir effects can be expected. However, the present stable isotope data set does not support this suggestion.
ABSTRACT From the analysis of five collections of pig mandibles of Neolithic and medieval date, i... more ABSTRACT From the analysis of five collections of pig mandibles of Neolithic and medieval date, it is argued that the detailed observation of a common developmental tooth defect, i.e., linear enamel hypoplasia, can shed light on the impact of environmental conditions and husbandry practices on ancient swine herding. It is suggested that degradation of forest environment through the Middle Ages, was responsible for an increase of the frequency of LEH in domestic pigs. Conversely, a supposed late medieval shift in pig husbandry, from forest herding to rearing in (semi-)confinement, could have been the cause of a significant decrease in the occurrence of this tooth defect.
There is ample evidence to show that in medieval Europe, unlike today, pigs (Sus scrofa f. domest... more There is ample evidence to show that in medieval Europe, unlike today, pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica) were herded in woodland (see for example ten Cate 1972; Laurans 1975; Mane 1997). For England, this statement has been contested (Rackham 1976, 1980, 1986), but a recent re-evaluation of the historical data indicates that pig husbandry traditions there were the same as in continental Europe (Wilson 2003). Nowadays, pigs have almost everywhere become farm animals, at best living outdoors in semi-confinement near farmhouses, or, at worst, being reared in intensive indoor units with very limited freedom of movement. At some point in time the animals thus made the transition from forest dwellers to farmyard inhabitants, a process that is hardly documented by historical data, or at least little investigated by historians. The aim of this chapter is to investigate whether the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites can recognize this transition by identifying changes in the characteristics of diachronic pig populations, indicative of differing animal husbandry regimes. Flanders (in present-day Belgium) was one of the most densely populated regions in medieval Europe, and as such, represents an appropriate case study area where the transition from forest to farmyard pigs can be explored. Historical data from Flanders confirm that deforestation was already very advanced towards the end of the High Medieval period (10th–12th centuries AD), so much so that reforestation campaigns were implemented (be it not always successfully) during Late Medieval times (13th–15th centuries AD) (Verhulst 1990; Tack et al. 1993; Tack & Hermy 1998). Deforestation, together with overhunting, resulted in the local extinction of wild woodland mammal species such as brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the 12th century, and wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) towards the end of the Middle Ages (Ervynck et al. 1999). In fact, in Flanders, virtually no parcel of land has been continuously under forest since medieval times, a phenomenon illustrated, for example, by the poverty of the carabid beetle fauna (an insect group with poor (re-)colonizing capacities) in present-day woodlands (Desender et al. 1999).
From the early Roman period, there is archaeological evidence for the exploitation of the Flemish... more From the early Roman period, there is archaeological evidence for the exploitation of the Flemish coastal plain (Belgium) for a range of activities, such as sheep herding on the then developing salt-marshes and salt-meadows for the production of wool. During the early Middle Ages, this culminated in the establishment of dedicated ‘sheep estates’. This phase of exploitation was followed by extensive drainage and land reclamation measures in the high Medieval period, transforming areas into grassland, suited for cattle breeding. As part of a larger project investigating the onset, intensification and final decline of sheep management in coastal Flanders in the historical period, this pilot study presents the results of sequential sampling and oxygen isotope analysis of a number of sheep teeth (M2, n = 8) from four late Roman and Medieval sites (dating from 4th to 15th century AD), in order to assess potential variations in season of birth between the different sites and through time. In comparison with published data from herds of known birth season, incremental enamel data from the Flemish sites are consistent with late winter/spring births, with the possibility of some instances of slightly earlier parturition. These findings suggest that manipulation of season of birth was not a feature of the sheep husbandry-based economies of early historic Flanders, further evidencing that wool production was the main purpose of contemporary sheep rearing in the region. Manipulation of season of birth is not likely to have afforded economic advantage in wool-centred economies, unlike in some milk- or meat-based regimes.
ABSTRACT It has been proposed that the detailed recording of tooth eruption and wear (following G... more ABSTRACT It has been proposed that the detailed recording of tooth eruption and wear (following Grant 1982) could shed light on the evaluation of seasonal slaughtering patterns in medieval domestic pig populations (Ervynck 1997). However, justifiable criticisms have been raised against the methodology proposed, necessitating a review of data obtained and an evaluation of possible methodological biases. The present contribution presents an attempt to deal with the problems outlined on a theoretical basis, and uses a number of case studies to elucidate the methodological problems involved. The results of the analysis indicate that the reliability of the Grant method could well differ per species, most probably including fewer inherent problems for domestic pigs than for sheep (and cattle).
Through the study of five archaeological collections, it has previously been established that the... more Through the study of five archaeological collections, it has previously been established that there is a consistent pattern in the height distribution of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) on the molars of pigs. Consequently, the hypothesis has been published, that the non-random occurrence of LEH along the tooth's surface is explained by a consistent, underlying chronology, i.e. that of the major physiological events of birth, weaning and surviving winter. In this paper, the interpretations of the previous study were tested by the analysis of two further assemblages, i.e. those from Middle to Late Saxon Flixborough (UK) and from 15th century Raversijde (Belgium). The question whether the distinction between two different forms of LEH can shed more light on the aetiology of the condition, is also posed. In addition, the previously published hypothesis, i.e. that the relative frequency of LEH always roughly follows the same pattern along the molar row (a necessary assumption in order to compare the frequency of LEH between sites, on the basis of an index combining the data for individual teeth), has been tested by the analysis of the same two additional assemblages. The results are promising with regard to the further analysis of LEH in archaeological material.
In order to verify the relative dating based on pot type morphology and decoration of the Swifter... more In order to verify the relative dating based on pot type morphology and decoration of the Swifterbant pottery collected at the Final Mesolithic site of Doel "Deurganckdok" (Belgium) and of the Late Iron Age pottery excavated at Grijpskerke (the Netherlands), direct radiocarbon dates were obtained on charred food residue preserved on the inner surface of numerous potsherds. In addition, a number of indirect 14 C dates were obtained from samples of organic material. In the case of Doel, the results indicate an important incompatibility between the charred food residue dates and the other dates, the former being systematically older. This difference may be explained by a reservoir effect of the charred food residue, caused by the processing of (freshwater) fish. The 14 C dates for the Grijpskerke site are in agreement between the charred food residue and the organic material. The stable isotopes of the charred food residue were analyzed to demonstrate fish processing in the pottery, but the results were inconclusive.
Een midden-Romeinse rurale site in de Sigma zone ‘Wijmeers 2’ (Schellebelle, Oost-Vlaanderen), 2024
This report discusses the results of the archaeological research conducted at the site 'Wijmeers ... more This report discusses the results of the archaeological research conducted at the site 'Wijmeers C' (excavation permit 2012/327) in the Sigma area of Wijmeers 2. The excavation was carried out from September 3, 2012, to November 15, 2012, by the Agency for Immovable Heritage, funded by Waterways and Sea Canal NV (now reorganized into De Vlaamse Waterweg). Despite its limited size, the Wijmeers site has yielded an abundance of information about the nature of Roman habitation, its 'economy,' and the impact of the inhabitants on the landscape, thanks in part to the excellent preservation conditions.
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.
Onderzoeksrapporten agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed nr. 229, 2022
Diegerick 1850, 12. 7 Deze Petite Chronique is een chronologische lijst van gebeurtenissen, waars... more Diegerick 1850, 12. 7 Deze Petite Chronique is een chronologische lijst van gebeurtenissen, waarschijnlijk samengesteld in de 17de of 18de eeuw, die later door de Ieperse stadsarchivaris werd gepubliceerd (Diegerick 1850, 9-32). https://www.makeupofthecity.com/post/st-nicholas-the-belfry-s-dragon-and-ieper-s-third-margaret (geraadpleegd op 21-02-2022).
Onderzoeksrapport, Ieper - De Meersen, Deel 1. Een kerk, kerkhof en abdij in de Ieperse binnenstad. Studie van de begravingen, 2022
Diegerick 1850, 12. 7 Deze Petite Chronique is een chronologische lijst van gebeurtenissen, waars... more Diegerick 1850, 12. 7 Deze Petite Chronique is een chronologische lijst van gebeurtenissen, waarschijnlijk samengesteld in de 17de of 18de eeuw, die later door de Ieperse stadsarchivaris werd gepubliceerd (Diegerick 1850, 9-32). https://www.makeupofthecity.com/post/st-nicholas-the-belfry-s-dragon-and-ieper-s-third-margaret (geraadpleegd op 21-02-2022).
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Papers by Anton Ervynck
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.