University of Ghent

Research Unit

Provincial-Roman Archaeology

Staff and associated personnel

Postal address:

Vakgroep Archeologie en Oude Geschiedenis van Europa,
Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Gent (Belgium). Telephone: +32 9 264 41 07
Telefax: +32 9 264 41 73

Prof. dr. Hugo Thoen

Senior lecturer, Provincial-Roman Archaeology
Postal address: Department Archaeology and Ancient History of Europe, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Gent (Belgium)
Telephone: +32 9 264 41 10
Telefax: +32 9 264 41 73 c/o H. Thoen
E-mail: Hugo.Thoen@rug.ac.be

Prof. dr. Frank Vermeulen

Senior Lecturer, Roman Archaeology
Postal address: Department Archaeology and Ancient History of Europe, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Gent (Belgium)
Telephone: +32 9 264 41 37
Telefax: +32 9 264 41 73 c/o F.Vermeulen
E-mail: Frank.Vermeulen@rug.ac.be

Prof. dr. Johnny De Meulemeester

Lecturer: Medieval Achaeology
Postal address: Department Archaeology and Ancient History of Europe, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Gent (Belgium)
Telephone: +32 2 305 0093
Telephax: +32 2 305 0095
E-mail: johnny.de.meulemeester@pandora.be

Dr. Kathy Sas

Associate researcher.
Research field: Roman Jewellery
Boekenberglei 85 / 2
2100 Deurne
Telephone: +32 3 322 21 08
E-mail: Sas.Kathy@skynet.be

Lic. Yann Hollevoet

Assistant
Postal address: Department Archaeology and Ancient History of Europe, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Gent (Belgium)
Telephone: +32 9 264 41 08
E-mail: Hollevoet-Hillewaert@bigfoot.com

Lic. Marie Christine Laleman

Chief archaeologist, Department Urban Archaeology, Gent
Research field: Urban Archaeology
Postal addres: Dienst Stadsarcheologie, Onderstraat 20, B-9000 Gent
Telephone: +32 9 266 5760
Telephax: +32 9 223 9919 c/o MC. Laleman
E-mail: Marie-Christine.Laleman@Gent.be

Lic. Gilbert De Wilde

Scientific co-operator
Research field: Numismatics
Molenstraat 137
B-9160 Lokeren
Telephone: +32 9 349 4741  

Current research topics

Gallo-Roman settlement in western Flanders

The purpose of this research programme is to obtain a much wider and finer image of Roman occupation history in this nremote partn of the Roman Empire. Considering systematic analysis of the remains of the material culture of the first five centuries of our era, a set of questions is tackled concerning the settlement system, the economic networks and the movements of acculturation (romanization, germanization) through time. Comparison with other regions within the Empire is also persued, in order to study the specific character and development of peripheral areas.
Research is conducted in well-chosen testing regions within western Flanders, e.g. the Waasland, the coastal plain, the area between Lys and Scheldt, the Meetjesland. Essential is the combination of an intensive survey programme (field walking, aerial photography, borings, ...) with small scale excavation work. The interdisciplinary approach, with integration of among others palaeobotany, archaeozoology, petrography and geomorphology, is also crucial. Central questions are especially those concerned with the chronological dimension of occupation, the character and evolution of the material culture, the role of local elitens in the acculturation process and the evolution of the cultural landscape in Roman times.    

The Meetjesland Survey Project.

The aim of this two-year project, started in januari 1996, consists in gathering fundamental information concerning the Gallo-Roman occupation pattern in the Meetjesland, a zone which was up till recently supposed to be scarcely occupied during the Roman period. Therefore, information gathering about distribution, localisation, chronological and / or functional characteristics of the different sites in relation to their respective ecological matrix, is a major objective. From the start an ecologically stratified sampling was designed. Within a region of 380km2, a ecological relevant ntransectn of 200km2 was drawn. This area is now investigated within a statistical relevant number of geomorphological and pedological units, thus paying equal scientific attention to the sub-regions (river-areas, cuestas, sandy hills) in the area. The survey is based on a multi- disciplinary approach, consisting of the application of databases with bibliographical and archaeological information, oblique aerial photographs , geophysical prospection, fieldwalking, borings, micro-topographical analysis an small-scale (rescue-) excavations on different locations within the study-area. Finally the data will be put in an integrated database with information about the spatial distributions of the sites, as well as chronological and functional appreciations. 

Roman Roads and Land Organisation in Northwestern Gaul

The aim of this new project, mainly to be executed between 1997 and 1999, is to reconstruct and interpret the Roman road system and land organisation in the former administrative unit of the Civitas Menapiorum, an area that comprises parts of western Belgium, northern France and the south-western Netherlands. The project combines geographical and archaeological methods. On the regional level it comprises an archaeo-historical evaluation of manns grip on the landscape in Roman times, consi dering especially the roads (major and minor) and systems of land division. A full battery of techniques will be deployed to do this systematically: e.g. aerial photography, field survey, selective excavation, regressive examination of cartographic and vertical photographic material, optical analysis of satellite imagery, toponymic research and study of written sources. In 1995 and 1996 preparatory work comprised the registration of all ancient roads detected from the air in Sandy Flanders and test-digs on some of them in that same area (e.g. Kruishoutem, Merendree, Ruiselede and Knesselare). A major part of the mass of information gathered will be digitised and integrated in a GIS. This information system will be the playground for spatial analysis of all cartographic and archaeological data. An integrated questionnaire, comprising archaeo-historical questions and geographical ones, must lead towards conclusive interpretation.  

Recent excavations of Roman settlements.

The military camp of Maldegem

The Roman auxiliary fort at Maldegem-Vake was discovered at the close of the seventies through aerial photography. Excavations were carried out by the Department of Archaeology (State University, Gent) in 1984-92 and revealed one third of the total occupation area. The earth-and-timber castellum has a characteristic square shape, measuring some 157,4 x 157,4 m (= 500 Roman feet), i.e. a surface of approximately 2,5 ha. The whole defence system is 21 m wide and consists of 2 parallel V- shaped ditches (4 m wide and 2m deep) and an earth rampart with palissade (6,4 m wide), of which remains only a Podzol soil profile. There were also four timber corner towers, built-up in the rampart body. The defence ditches and rampart are interrupted just in the middle of the four sides, leaving a gap for the gates. One of the gates ( probably the porta decumana) was fully examinated along the eastern side. The solid timber construction (9 x 9 m = 30 Roman feet) had a twin passageway set back between flanking towers. Here the entrance was covered on the outside of the fort by a titulum (13,8 m lenght, 4,4 m wide and 2 m deep). With an inner side of 114,4 m (= 400 Roman feet) the building area inside the castellum was 1,3 ha. In the south-east corner three barrack-blocks were excavated. Two of them were typical infantry barracks (33 x 6,5 m), the central one a cavalry barrack (33 x 13 m). As the water-supply was important, each of the infantry barracks was provide with one, the central cavalry barrack with two wells, built with local alder wood. The military unit could be a part-mounted cohort possibly 1056 strong (cohors milliaria? equitata). The fortress can be dated quite exactly in the 170thies and can be related with the Chauci invasions in Gallia Belgica wich took place - according to the Vita Didii Iuliani, I, 6-9 - in 172-174 A.D., under the governership of Didius Iulianus, the future emperor (193 A.D.). The close relation between archaeological and literary evidence, and the short occupation of the Maldegem fort, makes it a basic reference for the Provincial-Roman archaeology.  

Roman tilery in Zomergem

Increasing field survey activity in the northern and north-eastern part of Flanders (Meetjesland) has recently revealed a number of Roman settlements. One of those (Zomergem) is located on a clay-promontory. Recent excavation (1994-5) showed archaeological features such as clay-extraction-pits, post-holes, a two-aisled wooden building and a ditch-system, that probably belongs to a modest kind of aquaduct. The finds include numerous fragments of tegulae, imbrices and testae; most of them seem to be wasters. This observation, in addition to the excellent pedological and geographical setting, points to the clay-working character of the site. Unfourtunately, traces of tile-ovens haven't been found yet. Although iron age and first century Roman pottery is present on the site, the majority of the finds (terra sigillata, colour coated pottery and local hand-made ware) date the main activity on this part of the site in the late second century. The site at Zomergem is up till now the most northern Roman clay-working site in Belgium.

Rural centre in Kruishoutem

Survey in the late eighties demonstrated the existence at Kruishoutem-Kapellekouter, 20 km to the South of Ghent, of a large Roman settlement (min. 10 ha). Since 1989 systematic excavations are conducted here in collaboration with the provincial museum at Velzeke. Several characteristics support an interpretation as regional centre for the surrounding countryside, such as : its early foundation (Tiberius/Claudius), the extent of the site, the favourable topographical situation on the border of two pedological regions (sand and loam regions), the existence of a large sanctuary for the god Mars Camulus, traces of several Roman stone buildings and evidence of large-scale artisanal activities, such as bronze- and ironworks. The settlement was not only a focus for the romanisation of the area, but the site is also an excellent place to study the processes of decline of rural areas (4th and 5th century occupation) and the gradual germanisation and christianisation of the land (merovingian settlement and cemetery; early christian graveyard and church).

Study of Roman Material Culture in Northern Gaul

This research unit's special attention has always been directed to the study of pottery: luxury wares (e.g. terra sigillata) as well as common wares (e.g. cooking ware, amphorae). Some of the lines of research concern regional production (the Waasland), the persistence of native traditions in handmade wares (Sandy Flanders) and problems of import, transport routes and distribution. The study of the pottery from the Pessinus excavations (Turkey) makes the link with ceramic research in classical Mediterranean regions.  

Roman Jewellery in Belgium

Categories of artefacts other than pottery, such as tools and trinkets (e.g. brooches), are also subject to systematic inventarisation and analysis. At the moment, a doctoral research into provincial-Roman jewellery and the jeweller's craft in Belgium is being carried out through the study of gems (intaglios and cameos) and metal bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants and fingerrings. The information will be grouped in an extensive catalogue (with detailed descriptions, photographs, drawings, comparative material and literature) and a conclusive discussion of topics such as materials, techniques, shapes, styles, iconography, typology and chronology.  

  Roman Amphorae in Northwestern Gaul

Some years ago a research-program was started on Roman amphorae of Mediterranean and regional origin found in the Belgian provinces of West-Flanders and East-Flanders. The aim of this research is to put these amphora-finds in the economical context of Northern Gaul. Most activities are concentrated on the sites of Velzeke (Early Roman fortress and Mid-Roman vicus), Kruishoutem (vicus and presumebly cult-centre) and Kerkhove (administrative and collecting-centre). Nearly all of the Mediterranean amphorae were used for transporting food-stuff: wine, olive-oil and fish sauces. Wine was coming from Italy, Greece, southern and north-eastern Spain and southern France, olive-oil from southern Spain, fish sauces from southern Spain and southern Portugal, and possibly from the Rhône valley in France. One amphora type (Richborough 527) produced on some islands north of Sicily was maybe transporting alum, used in textile-industry.

In the course of the 2nd century A.D. regional types of amphorae were produced in the Lower Scheldt area in modern Belgium. These are bulky, flat-bottomed containers, produced in a characteristic red fabric. Considerable quantities of these have come to light in the Rhine and Meuse delta (the Dutch provinces of Zuid-Holland and Zeeland). Nothing is known about their contents, but not grape-based alcoholic liquors are the obvious possibilities.

  Study of Ancient Handicraft and Industry

One of the main research topics within this programme concerns primary industry and handicraft in industry, such as salt exploitation, the production of pottery and tiles, metallurgy, etc. These economic factors, which include the production process, the origin of raw materials, transport and technology, are not limited to Gallo-Roman culture but are also studied in a broader chronological and geographical setting.

Sel-web: http://www.chez.com/rouzeau/sel-web/resumes/thoen/thoen.htm

Colloquium "Romeinendag"

Each year in the springtime a one-day colloquium, called Romeinendag, is organised by the University of Ghent, in collaboration with the University of Leuven and the Institute of the Archaeological Heritage of the Flemish Community. This meeting is open to all scientists who wish to present recent work in the field of Gallo-Roman archaeology in Flanders and beyond. It is also an open forum to discuss new approaches and reconsider old ones.  

***** THERE IS AN OPEN CALL FOR PAPERS *****

Please contact H. Thoen or F. Vermeulen before January 15.

Selection of Publications

On sale

H. Thoen & N. Vandermoere, with contributions by R. De Ceunynck & I. Heyse, The Roman fortified Site at Maldegem (East Flanders). 1984 Excavation Report. Gent, 1985, 55 p. (= Scholae Archaeologicae 2).
(300 Bfrs., postage included)

H. Thoen & N. Vandermoere, with contributions by G. De Geyter, K. Desender, B. Fobe, M. Gysseling, R. Langohr, J. Mertens, M. Pieters & M. Van Kerckvoorde, The Roman fortified Site at Maldegem (East Flanders). 1985 Excavation Report. Gent, 1986, 58 p. (= Scholae Archaeologicae 6).
(300 Bfrs., postage included)

H. Thoen, with contributions by B. Augustyn, R. De Ceunynck, R. Langohr, J. Mertens & M. Pieters, The Roman fortified Site at Maldegem (East Flanders). 1986 Excavation Report. Gent, 1988, 78 p (= Scholae Archaeologicae 9).
(300 Bfrs., postage included)

F. Vermeulen, A Roman Cemetery at Sint-Martens-Leerne (Deinze, East Flanders), Gent, 1985, 63 p. (= Scholae Archaeologicae 1).
(300 Bfrs., postage included)

F. Vermeulen, The Roman Settlement and Cemetery at Asper (Gavere, East Flanders), Gent, 1986, 173 p. (= Scholae Archaeologicae 5).
(400 Bfrs., postage included)

F. Vermeulen, Tussen Leie en Schelde. Archeologische inventaris en studie van de Romeinse bewoning in het zuiden van de Vlaamse Zandstreek, Gent, 1992, 285 p. (= Archeologische Inventaris Vlaanderen, Buitengewone reeks I).
(750 Bfrs., postage included)

F. Vermeulen, M. Rogge & L. Van Durme (eds.), Terug naar de bron. Kruishoutem archeologisch doorgelicht, Gent, 1993, 224 p.
(= Archeologische Inventaris Vlaanderen, Buitengewone reeks II).
(600 Bfrs., postage included)

J. Art (red.), J. Bourgeois, P. Crombé, J. De Meulemeester, M.-C. Laleman, H. Thoen & F. Vermeulen, Hoe schrijf ik de geschiedenis van mijn gemeente? Deel IV Archeologie. Centrum voor Geschiedenis - Universiteit Gent. Stichting Mens en Kultuur, 1999.
(1295 Bfrs., postage included)

Off-prints or copies available on request

W. De Clercq & H. Thoen, 'Enkele aspecten van de Gallo-Romeinse aanwezig-heid in het Meetjesland. Status quaestionis en recent Romeins archeologisch onderzoek in het gebied ten NW van Gent'. In: Vriendenboek Luc Stockman, Aalter, 1998, pp. 51-62.

M. Rogge, F. Vermeulen en L. Moens, Ein bemerkenswerter Fund von römischer bronzestatuetten aus Kruishoutem (Ostflandern), Archäologisches Korrespon denzblatt 25, heft 2, 1995, pp. 193-207.

K. Sas, 'Sur des bijoux précieux romains provenant de Tournai', Paléontologie et Préhistoire, Bulletin de la Société Tournaisienne, V/5, 1993, pp. 115-122.

K. Sas, 'De Romeinse gemmen van de Koninklijke Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis', Bulletin van de Koninklijke Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis, 64, 1993, pp. 271-292.

K. Sas, 'A study of Roman engraved gemstones - intaglios and cameos - in Belgium', Helinium, XXXIII/1, 1993, pp. 108-137.

K. Sas, 'Les gemmes romaines de Belgique', Vie Archéologique, Bulletin de la Fédération des Archéologues de Wallonie, 48, 1997, pp. 81-86.

H. Thoen, 'Neue Ergebnisse über antike Salzgewinnung und -Handel an den Nordatlantischen Küsten (Nord-Frankreich, Belgien und Holland)', Mitteilungen der österreichischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, 37, 1987, pp. 39-49.

H. Thoen, avec la collaboration de G. Leman-Delerive, 'La production du sel à l'époque celtique'. In: Les Celtes en France du Nord et en Belgique VIe-Ier siècle avant J.-C. Crédit Communal, 1990, pp. 182-190 et 273-275.

H. Thoen, 'Nieuw licht op onze Romeinse Geschiedenis. Het Romeinse kamp van Maldegem-Vake'. In: Heemkundige Kring van het Ambacht Maldegem. Jaarboek 1996. Maldegem, 1996, pp. 253-274.

H. Thoen, 'Le camp romain de Maldegem (Flandre orientale, Belgique) et son contexte régional'. In: S. Curveiller & C. Seillier (éds.), Archéologie du Littoral Manche - Mer du Nord. I Des origines à l'époque gallo-romaine. Bulletin historique et artistique du Calaisis 'Les Amis du Vieux Calais, déc. 1998, nos 160-161-162). Calais, 1998, pp. 519-530.

H. Thoen, 'Recherches récentes dans le Nord de la France, en Belgique et aux Pays-Bas et, plus particulièrement, sur le Red Hill de Leffinge près d'Ostende'. In: L'exploitation du sel dans la France protohistorique et ses marges. Table ronde du Comité des Salines de France. Paris, 1998.
(= http://www.chez.com/rouzeau/)

H. Thoen & W. De Clercq, 'De Gallo-Romeinse aanwezigheid in Adegem en Maldegem', Handelingen der Maatschappij voor Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde te Gent, NR, XLIX, 1995, pp. 1-31.

H. Thoen & W. De Swaef, 'A Terra sigillata Cantharos from Erembodegem (Prov. East Flanders)'. In: M. Lodewyckx (ed.), Archaeological and historical Aspects of West-European Societies. Album Amicorum André Van Doorselaer. Leuven (Acta Archaeologica Lovaniensia Monographiae, 8), 1996, pp. 165-173.

H. Thoen & R. Nouwen, 'De productie van Gallo-Romeins aardewerk bij de Tungri, de Nervii en de Menapii'. In: Uit Aarde en Vuur. Keramiek in Vlaanderen. Tielt (Vlaanderen, 46,3), 1997, pp. 7-12.

H. Thoen & R. Langohr, 'Het Romeinse kamp van Maldegem-Vake. Strategisch bolwerk in een militair conflict met de Germanen ca. 172-174 n. Chr.'. In: J.-P. Van Roeyen, Uit Vlaamse Bodem. 10 archeologische verhalen. Sint-Niklaas, 1996, pp. 55-66.

H. Thoen & F. Vermeulen, 'Phasen der Germanisierung in Flandern in der mittel- und spätrömischen Zeit'. In: C. Bridger & K.J. Gilles (Hrsg.), Spätromische Befestigungsanlagen in den Rhein- und Donauprovinzen. BAR IS 704. Oxford, pp. 1-12.

J. van der Werff, H. Thoen & R. van Dierendonck, 'Amphora Production in the Lower Scheldt Valley (Belgium)? The Valkenburg-Marktveld Evidence', Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautorum Acta, 35, 1997, pp. 63-71.

J.H. van der Werff, H. Thoen & R.M. van Dierendonck, 'Scheldevallei-amforen. Belgisch bier voor Bataven en Cananefaten?', Westerheem, 46, 1997, 6, pp. 2-12 = Handelingen der Maatschappij voor Geschiedenis en Oudheidkun-de te Gent, N.R., LI, 1997, pp. 1-19.

F. Vermeulen, Céramique non-tournée du Haut- et du Bas-Empire en Flandre sablonneuse (Belgique), Actes du Congrès de Tournai 28-31 mai 1992. Société Française d'Etude de la Céramique Antique en Gaule, 1992, pp. 279-290.

F. Vermeulen, Transition from Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages in the South of Sandy Flanders (Belgium): Rural Settlement, Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt, 22, 1992, pp. 421-433.

F. Vermeulen, Moderate Acculturation in the Fringe Area of the Roman Empire: Some Archaeological Indications from the Civitas Menapiorum, Bulletin van het Belgisch Historisch Instituut te Rome, LXII, 1992, pp. 5-41.

F. Vermeulen, De Gallo-Romeinse nederzetting te Sint-Denijs-Westrem (gem. Gent, prov. Oost-Vlaanderen), Archeologisch Jaarboek Gent 1992, Gent, 1993, pp. 187-303.

F. Vermeulen, Romans and Barbarians on the Sandy Soils of Flanders (NW- Belgium): a Regional Test-case, in: Actes du XIIième Congrès International des Sciences Préhistoriques et Protohistoriques. Bratislava, 1-7 septembre 1991, 3, Bratislava, 1993, pp. 385-391.

F. Vermeulen, Sandy Flanders in the Roman Period: Towards a Regional Research Strategy, in: M. Lodewijckx (ed.), Archaeological and Historical Aspects of West- European Societies, Album Amicorum André Van Doorselaer, Acta Archaeologica Lovaniensia Monographiae 8, Leuven, 1996, pp. 135-143.

F. Vermeulen, The Role of Secondary Centres in the Romanisation of Northern Belgica, in: J. Metzler, M. Millet, N. Roymans en J. Slofstra (eds.), Integration in the Early Roman West. The Rôle of Culture and Ideology, Luxembourg, 1995.

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