atlasvoice
Top of the found fortress tower
At the end of November, archaeologists from SOB Research During a trial trench investigation, a special find was made in the Buiten de Waterpoort area: part of the old city wall from the 14th century.de century with an accompanying tower. Parts of the city wall have also been found elsewhere in the city. This discovery makes the historical knowledge about Gorinchem somewhat more complete.
Alderman for archaeology Arjen Rijsdijk: “I think it is important to let people know what we do and do not know. There is a lot of speculation about the archaeological finds. I am happy that people are so involved, but I would like to dispel some untruths.”
Overview map of the research area
Local interest
Archaeologist Antoine Mientjes made the discovery: “It is a beautiful piece of wall that we have found, complete with shot hole. The adjacent tower makes it extra complete. With this we learn more about the history of Gorinchem. This means that it has local importance. Not national importance, as I initially hoped in my enthusiasm.” The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands has also confirmed the latter.
loophole
Blauwe Toren (Blue Tower)
In the area near Buiten de Waterpoort the castle once stood Blauwe Toren (Blue Tower) stood. Mientjes: “It is understandable that people hope that part of the castle has been found. Based on the fieldwork results so far, we can only conclude that we have found part of the city wall and a tower, which were part of the late medieval fortifications of Gorinchem (end of the 14de – beginning 15de century), the precursor of the fortifications that are still present today and were built around 1600 AD. A relationship between the city wall with tower that was found and the castle with the Blauwe Toren (Blue Tower) cannot be established and is purely speculative.”
Reporting archaeological finds
Archaeological research is mandatory when building on a site with a certain archaeological expectation. The test trench research was therefore carried out on behalf of the company that has a permit to build a hotel Buiten de Waterpoort. This research has not yet been completed. SOB Research expects to be able to deliver a definitive report before the summer. Mientjes: “We conduct independent research, which I think is important to mention. We then draw up a report on that. The current interim report is not yet complete because the research has not yet been completed. As soon as this has been supplemented, follow-up steps can be based on that. That is no longer in our hands, but in those of the government. Because in this case it concerns a find of local importance, that is the municipality of Gorinchem.”
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