A medieval embankment near the lost harbour of Mude (Zeeland, the Netherlands): A palaeoenvironmental reconstruction based on palynology and diatom analysis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104520
• Publication Date: 2024-04-13T16:53:07Z
• Authors: Coralie André; Dante de Ruijsscher; Maxime Poulain; Jan Trachet; Wim De Clercq; Frieda Bogemans; Annelies Storme; Koen Sabbe; Bart Van de Vijver; Luc Allemeersch; Frederik D'hondt; Stephen Louwye
• Keywords: Geoarchaeology

Mude, known today as Sint Anna ter Muiden (Zeeland, the Netherlands), was one of outports Bruges (northern Belgium) that developed along Zwin tidal inlet during medieval times. The coastal plain County Flanders became embanked via massive construction dikes. Yet, little is about environmental conditions in which harbour region developed. Recent archaeological research allowed us to carry out first study a complete sequence ranging from natural deposits raised soil associated with an embankment using palynological and diatom analyses. presence flat influenced by direct marine influx confirmed. Sods different origins, mixture sediments anthropogenic waste, were used build embankment. A layer holding large number shells deposited on top sods likely for levelling water management. assemblages shell-rich confirm human activity area, such use hemp rope making digging peat fuel. Cultivated plants grown while figs imported Mediterranean region. diatoms point local brackish-freshwater conditions, indicating outside daily reach channel. cultural possibly pathway sheep herding, famous its wool production, signal crops suggests active land vicinity.