GORINCHEM – The bones that are being dug up this week in the trench at the Grote Toren in Gorinchem will be further examined in the coming months. A physical anthropologist will try to determine the age of the persons buried at the church. Further examination may also reveal whether the person in question suffered from a certain disease. This follow-up examination will take several months.
Archaeological research Behind the church
The excavations are being carried out after many more bone remains than expected were discovered earlier this year during the installation of a pipe for the fire extinguishing system in the tower. That the area around the church between the 13de century and 1830 was used as a cemetery, was already known. The bones found will be reburied at the General Cemetery in Gorinchem after completion of the follow-up research. If it concerns whole or large parts of the same skeleton, they will receive an individual number when reburied.
De municipality of Gorinchem has set aside an amount of 40.000 euros for archaeological research. The location research must be completed this week. After that, the pipe for the fire extinguishing system will be installed and the trench can be paved again.
AD Rivierenland
May 21, 2008