ADAPTATIONS TO LIFE IN A SALT MARSH AREA: THE COASTAL AREA OF THE NORTHERN NETHERLANDS FROM 650 BC
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 25/11/2020

The archaeology of the northern Netherlands has a long history of research into the relationship between habitation and the dynamic coastal landscape. Possibly owing to its early head start, this research has for a long time been considered complete, and of merely regional significance. However, it has much to offer in the present debate on adaptive pathways in low-lying coastal regions that are facing frequent flooding. Recent archaeological research has revealed many details on the strategies of the inhabitants of this region in coping with their natural environment. These strategies may have far wider applications and deserve to be brought into the open. The case of the northern Netherlands shows that new questions in archaeological research may provide useful answers to present challenges. This paper will present an overview of the habitation history of the coastal area of the northern Netherlands, focusing on adaptation strategies. Before medieval dike building, this was a regularly inundated, open salt marsh area. It owed its existence to a continuing relative sea-level rise due to isostatic subsidence, combined with a sufficient supply of sediment. Despite frequent inundations, the area was inhabited since around 650 BC. That was only possible because the inhabitants built their houses on terps: artificial dwelling mounds, carefully constructed out of local materials. Many terps started as small platforms, and developed over time into small hills, up to over 8 m high and covering areas of 15 ha or more. Terp habitation was successful and could have continued, were it not for the considerable subsidence of inland areas due to peat reclamation. That made the entire coastal area vulnerable to the sea. Building dikes became inevitable in the 11th or 12th century. The technology of terp building, however, may still be of use.


Author(s): Nieuwhof, Annet (University of Groningen)