Archaeologists Explore Oosterschelde as Underwater Heritage Treasure

Researchers from the Dutch Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed embarked on the vessel Gerdia to conduct underwater archaeological dives in the Oosterschelde. The team examined remains of the drowned village of Lodijke, including its castle foundations, and documented a shipwreck near the Zeeland Bridge. Lead diver and archaeologist Miriam Kruijssen noted that while recent work has focused on the Wadden Sea, Zeeland’s waters contain numerous submerged sites that have received little professional attention. The project aims to catalog and preserve these artifacts despite challenges posed by strong winds, currents and diving conditions. A public event at the Zeeuws Archeologisch Depot in Middelburg will showcase findings and provide a live link to the research ship.

The initiative highlights the Oosterschelde as a “treasure chamber” of submerged cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of systematic investigation of the region’s underwater archaeological landscape.