the mapping of areas where no archaeological heritage is expected in flanders

The mapping of ‘areas where no archaeological

heritage is expected’ in Flanders (Belgium)Meylemans E.,

Flanders Heritage Agency

Introduction

Background:

-New legislation: ‘immovable heritage decree july 12- 2013.

-Archaeological legislation effective 2016:

>scheduling of archaeological sites;

>designation of ‘Archaeological Zones’ (other surface criteria for preventive

archaeology);

>legislational framework for metal detecting;

>preventive archaeology based on surface area criteria (difference in/

outside protected areas/ Archaeological Zones/ other areas);

>preventive archaeology fully commercialized through system of

‘acknowledged’ archaeologists;

>framework for ‘chance finds’;

>designation of ‘areas where no archaeology is expected’: periodic

update

Background (‘decision tree’):

Map of Designated ‘areas where no archaeology is

expected’

Online publication: https://geo.onroerenderfgoed.be/

Map of Designated ‘areas where no archaeology is

expected’-What?

>2 dimensional design!!! > every ‘area’ is declared free from archaeological

preventive research no matter how deep the building development;

>areas where soil disturbances have occurred with ‘deep impact’;

>areas where archeological trial trenching of excavations were performed

and where the archaeology has been ‘fully excavated’ or where no (or no

significant) archaeological heritage was present;

THUS: areas where is is shown that no (significant) archaeological heritage is present or has

been preserved; no ‘gradation’;

-But, not taken into account:

>The presence of middle paleolithic archaeology is not taken fully into account;

>the possible presence of remains of ‘deep structures’ (for example water

wells).

Some complexities; example: (alluvial) areas with buried

archaeological heritage

Some complexities; example: areas with thick and complex

archaeological stratigraphy (for example historic towns)

Some complexities; example: areas with valuable archaeologicalheritage but which have been ‘cleared’ for further preventivearchaeology

Map of Designated ‘areas where no archaeology is

expected’-Sources: Belgian soil map; high resolution digital terrain model of Flanders: mapping of large

‘disturbed’ areas, for example through sand or clay extraction.

-Archaeological archives (Central archaeological Inventory).

Map of Designated ‘areas where no archaeology is

expected’-Sources: third party information (for example local archaeological services)

Map of ‘areas where no archaeology is expected’: some

figures.

Version Nember of areas Total surface area

February 2016 2055 192km²

June 2016 2519 214km²

November 2016 3636 240km²

February 2017 3821 266km²

May 2017 3904 268km²

Juli 2017 4113 272km² (=2% of total surface

area Flanders

Surface area/ source

andere archeo archeologienota bk bk/dhm2 dhm2

Number of areas/ source

andere archeo archeologienota bk bk/dhm2 dhm2

Map of ‘areas where no archaeology is expected’: some

figures.

Map of Designated ‘areas where no archaeology is

expected’-Future?

>Continued importation of data from preventive archaeology;

>Towards a 3D map? > to exclude needless archaeological preventive archaeology

and to include the middle paleolithic heritage.

>Inclusion of other sources (for example erosion maps)?

>Inclusion of ‘gradation’ in disturbances? (for example agricultural impact)?