Enigmatic fortifications in the Low Countries: An overvieuw of the early medieval fortifications with a critical analysis of the dating techniques

This thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century and placed in an overarching historical narrative that links them to Viking raids. However, recent archaeological research suggests that earlier dates are also possible. For example, the ringfort of Den Burg was recently dated to the 8th or early 9th century with the upcoming OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) method. I selected the forts of Den Burg, Oost-Souburg, Burgh, Domburg, Deventer, and Zutphen and analysed the construction dates based on excavation reports and subsequent data analysis. I also looked at the general characteristics of the forts like shape and the type of inhabitation to determine their similarity. I found that most of the forts, except for Deventer and Domburg, could be older than the late 9th century because they were dated with a terminus ante quem or the...Show moreThis thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century and placed in an overarching historical narrative that links them to Viking raids. However, recent archaeological research suggests that earlier dates are also possible. For example, the ringfort of Den Burg was recently dated to the 8th or early 9th century with the upcoming OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) method. I selected the forts of Den Burg, Oost-Souburg, Burgh, Domburg, Deventer, and Zutphen and analysed the construction dates based on excavation reports and subsequent data analysis. I also looked at the general characteristics of the forts like shape and the type of inhabitation to determine their similarity. I found that most of the forts, except for Deventer and Domburg, could be older than the late 9th century because they were dated with a terminus ante quem or the methods used indicated a broad construction date. This is because the construction phase of a ringfort is hard to date for 14C- analysis and dendrochronology are almost never possible. This highlights the importance of OSL research in the research of ringforts. I also found that ringforts in the Dutch Low Countries differ in general characteristics. Both findings challenge the narrative of a structured defence system against Viking raids, and show that ringforts have often been interpreted based on assumptions from the historical narrative. Instead, this thesis suggests that the structures were erected at different times, by different actors, and probably for different reasons. Thus, future archaeological research should apply OSL as a dating method and be wary of assumptions from the historical narrative. This way, we can establish accurate construction dates and get closer to uncovering the complex nature of these early medieval fortifications.Show less

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Enigmatic fortifications in the Low Countries: An overvieuw of the early medieval fortifications with a critical analysis of the dating techniques