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