Research
Dalem Donk
In the context of the new construction plans of the municipality of Gorinchem, RAAP Archaeology in 2000 a drilling survey was carried out in the Laag Dalem plan area, located between Gorinchem and Dalem.
Although it was expected that the Pleistocene deposits would be at too great a depth for this study, a mapping drilling survey in the central part of the plan area was nevertheless carried out. river dune (donk) found. The “Dalemse Donk” was unknown prior to this research. It is striking that the top of the donk lies on the surface. The fact that the sandy formation was not noticed during geological and soil surveys was possibly due to partial coverage with overtopping deposits. Part of the top of the donk is included in the clayey building layer. The donk was probably covered with a layer of clay.
Impression of life on a prehistoric mound by Kelvin Wilson
Due to the lowering of the groundwater level, the area around the donk has shrunk, which is why it is now visible as an elevation in the current landscape. During the surface survey, a concentration of prehistoric pottery and flint artefacts was found on the top of the donk. The size of the surface concentration is approx. 75 by 35 m.
Early Neolithic
The composition of the material indicates the presence of a settlement site from the Early NeolithicDuring the evaluation drilling research, waste layers from six different periods were found on the flanks of the donk. These waste layers extend up to 20 m from the donk into the surrounding peat or clay. The waste layers were found at different levels. Based on the attachment height of the waste layers with the donk, they were dated. The dating of the layers varies from 4150 to 2200 BC. The waste layers were found in both the clay layers present around the donk and in the peat.
Thumb scrapers, flint
Publications
 |
Broeken, A. (2006) Gorcumse grondschatten. Archeological quest into the history of the Arkelstad, Gorcum Monument Series 15, Gorinchem, p. 62-69. flipbook | PDF (3MB) |
 |
Jansen, B. & DH de Jager (2000) Plan area Laag-Dalem municipality Gorinchem. A supplementary Archaeological Inventory (AAI), RAAP report 603, Amsterdam. flipbook | PDF (3,72 MB) |
 |
Jansen, B. (2001) Gorinchem, Laag Dalem, in: Archaeological Chronicle of South Holland 2000, Regional historical magazine Holland 33, p. eleven. flipbook | PDF (2 MB) |
 |
Koorevaar, T. (2000) Dalemse donk discovered, in: Thoroughly Examined, 15 no. 3, p. 21. flipbook | PDF (2 MB) |
 |
Koorevaar, T. (2000) The Gorinchem site is still being excavated in: Old Gorcum Varia 17 no. 46, p. 65. flipbook | PDF (12 MB) |
 |
Mispelaar, A. van, C. Nyst & M. van Loon eds. (2006) The role of Cultural History in Urban Projects, Amsterdam, p. 20-22. flipbook |PDF (4,48 MB) |
 |
Smit, B.I. & J.W. de Kort (2001) Plan area Laag-Dalem, municipality of Gorinchem, archaeological research for development advice on Dalemse Donk, RAAP report 749, Amsterdam. flipbook | PDF (3,79 MB) |
 |
Raemaekers, DCM (2002) Plan area Laag Dalem, municipality Gorinchem. Impact assessment of ground deformation on the archaeological site "Dalemse Donk", RAAP report 783, Amsterdam. flipbook | PDF (69,67 MB) |
 |
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, RCE (2023) Archaeological National Monument Passport 531041 (Dalem Donk), Amersfoort. PDF (4 MB) |
Media
Dalem Donk keeps treasure
Dalem donk is located around an archaeological site
Dalemse donk a top attraction for archaeologists
Underground traces of Stone Age inhabitants preserved
Invisible traces of the Dalemse donk are valuable
Metadata
| Archis number(s): | OM: 3114, 3433, see also OM: 33767 (report unknown) Research number: 327 National Monuments Register: 531041 |
| Topographic Map: | 38G |
| Coordinates: | 128.303/426.808 |
| Toponym: | Planning area Laag Dalem |
| City: | Gorinchem |
| Local authority: | Gorinchem |
| Province: | Zuid-Holland |
| Type of research: | Additional Archaeological Inventory (AAI) |
| Executor: | RAAP, Region West |
| Project Manager: | Drs. B. Jansen |
| Client: | Municipality of Gorinchem en Tauw Netherlands |
| Competent authority: | Municipality of Gorinchem |
| Start of investigation: | January 2000 |
| Finds & documentation: | Municipal depot for archaeology Gorinchem |
| IN: | https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-x3t-x3zq |