13th century wooden building found behind Antwerp city hall

Archaeologists working on a site behind Antwerp city hall have discovered a wooden construction dating from the 13th century or possibly even earlier.  The find is exceptional because wooden buildings usually do not survive the advance of time.

A new garden with a subterranean bicycle storage facility are planned for this site.  In order to prepare for this earth up to 5 metres deep is being removed.  Archaeologists working on the site couldn’t believe their luck when they encountered the remains of a building with wooden poles, reeds and wickerwork as well as a wall that had fallen over and a number of wooden planks.

The archaeologists will stay at work at the site until mid-October and still have high hopes of finding Roman remains.

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