Medieval stone houses and wooden streets in Gent revealed
24 May 2011
Archaeological research at Botermarkt and Belfortstraat reveal remnants of medieval stone houses and wooden street.
Prior to the third phase of the rebuilding of the central pedestrianized city squares and surrounding streets in Gent, the so-called KoBra-project, archaeological research was carried out at the Botermarkt and Belfortstraat. In November and December 2010 the Department of Urban Archaeology researched this area, located on the top of the Zandberg, through open area excavation. Traces of deep sand extraction pits, with fillings dating from the 12th, 13th and 14th century, were found. The extracted sand was probably used for preparing construction material.
Profile samples at the crossing of the Botermarkt and Hoogpoort gave evidence of a medieval street made of small timber posts, similar to the ones found earlier beneath the former Korte Ridderstraat (now Emile Braunplein) and the small square called Te Putte (now Goudenleeuwplein). Along with these, the timber road of the Hoogpoort was identified as a major traffic artery in medieval Gent. The road was built on top of a black layer made of organic material, typical for this area located just outside the oldest part of the medieval city.
The Belfortstraat (initally called Borluutstraat) was only built around 1900 in order to connect Botermarkt and St Jacob’s Church. The construction of this new street, wide and straight, fitted in the large scale urbanization campaign of mayor Emile Braun (in charge 1895-1921) in order to “modernize” the typical dense street layout of the medieval city center. This plan entailed also the demolition of the houses that stood in that part of the Hoogpoort that enclosed the Botermarkt. The excavation of wall remnants in Tournai limestone, a typical feature of the patrician stone houses from the 12th to the early 14th century, may be linked with this former building line.