Helmsteeg 1 – 14 (2022)

In July and September 2022, an archaeological excavation (variant guidance) was carried out at Helmsteeg 1-14 in the centre of Gorinchem. Here, new homes were built in existing buildings, for which the foundations had to be reinforced. For this, soil had to be excavated up to approx. 2,55 m +NAP, which could lead to disturbance of archaeological remains.

The research revealed archaeological traces, structures and finds of the late middle ages up to and including modern times (1250-present).

Part of the map by Joan Blaeu from 1652. The buildings on the Helmsteeg are marked in red.

The soil structure has been mapped using soil borings. The presumed natural deposits of the Linge are located around 1,0 m -NAP. There are raised layers on top of them. The nature of the soil brought in on the side of the Hoogstraat differs from the soil brought in on the Langendijk. The assumption that the Langendijk is older than the Hoogstraat seems plausible based on the results obtained.

Four buildings

The oldest structures, not counting the urban embankment package, date back to the 14th century. A total of four buildings could be distinguished: a building on Hoogstraat with an extension behind it, a building parallel to the Helmsteeg and two buildings on the Langendijk. The building on the Hoogstraat probably had a cellar. The building on the Helmsteeg certainly had a cellar, which was later used as a beer cellar. A building on the Langendijk had a chimney.

Remains of a 14th century chimney

These buildings underwent major changes in the 19th century. In the period between the 14th century and the 19th century, mainly (water) cellars were built. Most traces could be dated to the 19th and 20th centuries. Structures were also found that could be associated with the trade in colonial goods, baking cookies and roasting coffee by the firm RJ de Kroes. Of course, goods were also stored here.

Keyhole-shaped oven from the 19th/20th century.

Finds

During the excavation few finds were made. They mainly concern complete or fragmented wall tiles from the 17th century. A sheet seal from this period also dates from Tiverton, Great Britain. Some older finds concern natural stone ornaments from probably the late medieval Grote Kerk, some Belgian hearth stones from the 16th century and a few potsherds from the 14th century.

Fireplace stone depicting Judith beheading Holofernes (ca. 1525-1575)

The excavation work was limited to approximately 0,6 m below floor level (up to 2,55 m +NAP). As a result, not all archaeological traces and structures within the research area have been fully investigated. Most remains older than the 19th century have been preserved in situ and are still located under the new floor.

	KT Salomons and SA Landskroon (2024) Living, working, baking cookies, roasting coffee and the storage of Colonial goods in Gorinchem. The archaeological excavation (variant AB) at Helmsteeg 1-14, municipality Gorinchem (ZH), Hollandia series 1148, Zaandijk/Rotterdam. PDF (37 MB)