Roman settlement discovered near Bruges in flood-prone coastal area

Roman settlement archaeological discovery Koolkerke Bruges Roman history

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Roman settlement in Koolkerke, near Bruges, dating back to approximately 200 AD. The site was uncovered during preliminary work for a rainwater retention basin.

Researchers noted the unusual location of the settlement, which was situated in a flood-prone area that was significantly closer to the sea 1,800 years ago. To mitigate the risk of frequent flooding, the inhabitants constructed a protective barrier consisting of dams 20 meters wide, forming a wall roughly 100 meters in length.

Experts from the Flanders Heritage Agency suggest that economic advantages, such as access to maritime trade and salt production, likely motivated the decision to settle in this hazardous coastal region. While the original buildings, constructed from wood and clay, have largely perished, archaeologists recovered significant artifacts, including coins, dress pins, and ceramic shards originating from Italy and Southern France, indicating the inhabitants were wealthy.

Entities

Bruges · Flanders Heritage Agency · Koolkerke · Sam De Decker

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The settlement's location was likely chosen for sea trade access and salt production. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The Romans built dams 20 meters wide to form a 100-meter long protective wall. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Findings include ceramic shards from Italy and Southern France, dress pins, and coins. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The settlement dates back to approximately 200 AD. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Archaeologists discovered a Roman settlement in Koolkerke near Bruges. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The settlement was located in a flood-prone area that was closer to the sea at the time. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de

Sources

Archäologen rätseln: Was trieb reiche Römer in dieses gefährliche Küstengebiet? [www.fehmarn24.de]

22 days ago

Archäologen rätseln: Was trieb reiche Römer in dieses gefährliche Küstengebiet? [www.leinetal24.de]

22 days ago

Archäologen rätseln: Was trieb reiche Römer in dieses gefährliche Küstengebiet? [www.hna.de]

22 days ago

Archäologen rätseln: Was trieb reiche Römer in dieses gefährliche Küstengebiet? [www.tz.de]

22 days ago