DOI: 10.17026/dans-zsq-btuh
title: Echt Bocage The Merovingian cemetery of Echt Bocage (municipality of Echt-Susteren)

description: &lt;p&gt;Waarderend proefsleuvenonderzoek van een merovingisch grafveld in samenwerking met de fac Archeologie olv F. Theuws In April 2015 Archeological Research Leiden BV (ARCHOL) carried out a test trenching research together with the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University commissioned by GEM/Bocage. In the autumn of 2014 and spring 2015, RAAP carried out a pilot trench study within the research area which yielded several Merovingian inhumations as well as cremation graves belonging to a large Merovingian cemetery.&lt;br&gt;The cemetery consists of at least 87 inhumation graves and consists of a maximum of c. 210 inhumation graves. Moreover, 63 cremation graves were found dating to the Merovingian period. As for the inhumation graves, and the relationship with the cremation graves, many questions remain. This concerns in particular the visibility of the graves and the preservation of the features and finds. The size of the cemetery seems to be known on the basis of the preliminary investigations.&lt;br&gt;Based on the results of the preliminary examination, the municipality decided to subject the cemetery to an evaluative test trench survey, which was carried out by the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University in collaboration with Archaeological Research Leiden BV.&lt;br&gt;During the RAAP excavation the cremation graves were excavated but the inhumation graves remained untouched. In order the prepare decisions on how to handle the cemetery (remain in situ and protection or final excavation) it was necessary to be better informed on the inhumation graves. The ultimate goal of the evaluative research is to determine how the burial field should be preserved (in situ, ex situ) and what (financial) consequences of the preservation in or ex situ were.&lt;br&gt;The evaluative test trench research has two objectives: to study a number of inhumation graves and to check some zones within the cemetery for the presence or absence of inhumation graves. During the research, five graves were evaluated. Four of them had already been discovered during the first test trenching campaign by RAAP. A total of 30 features was found during test trenching. Nineteen features can be characterized as being (parts of) inhumation graves or belonging to inhumation graves. The other features concern recent disturbances (old cross sections) and natural features.&lt;br&gt;In total 59/60 cremation graves of various sizes and forms were found during the RAAP campaign. The material culture in the cremation graves ranges from biconical pottery, handmade pottery and coarse ware to molten glass, as well as glass that is not molten. Copper alloy objects were probably present on the pyre which is attested to by greenish discoloration of the cremated bone. One cremation yielded a shield-rivet and another yielded burnt beads. In a number of cremation graves large stones were placed at the bottom of the pit In the various excavations 87 inhumation graves were discovered. Six of these were investigated in more detail, although not all of them were excavated completely. The remainder of the inhumation graves were only recorded at the highest level they became visible.&lt;br&gt;Most inhumation graves yielded grave goods like beads, buckles, seaxes, lances, shield fittings, an arrow head and pottery. The amount of datable grave goods in the Echt cemetery is limited, which is of course due to the small amount of inhumation graves excavated. The cremation burials of Echt have been dated through typology and 14C dates. Two cremation graves were dated to the Iron age. In general, the cremations at Echt date from the 5th- to the 7th century AD. A number of inhumation graves can be dated and assigned to phases as defined in the typo-chronology by the Franken AG. The inhumation graves that can be dated have to be assigned to Franken AG phases 6 to 8 (580/590-670/680 AD), with the possible exception of grave 43-24 that may date to phase 5 (c. 565-580/590 AD).&lt;br&gt;Based on the trial trenches maximum extents of the cemetery was determined over which graves were distributed. Within these limits 87 inhumation graves and 63 cremation graves, of which (at least) three date to prehistoric times, were observed. This is a total of 147 Merovingian graves. It is estimated that c. 123 inhumation graves and c. 30 cremation graves have to be added to the number of inhumation graves recorded in the excavations.&lt;/p&gt;