Michiel Goddijn
Universiteit Leiden, Archaeology, Department Member
In the summer of 2013 a large excavation campaign revealed the layout of a late Bandkeramik settlement on the Cannerberg, just south of the city of Maastricht, near the Belgium border. The geographical location of the settlements is... more
In the summer of 2013 a large excavation campaign revealed the layout of a late Bandkeramik settlement on the Cannerberg, just south of the city of Maastricht, near
the Belgium border. The geographical location of the settlements is atypical, since most of the Dutch LBK
settlements are situated on the middle terraces, with the exception of several younger ones on the eastern side of the Meuse. The research was carried out by Archaeological
Research Leiden BV (Archol) in combination with the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, the National Museum of Antiquities, KF InHeritage and many others.
Based on test trenching, the structure of the settlement was thought to have an open layout. This contrasts with most Dutch LBK settlements such as Elsloo, Stein and Sittard.
In total 3.5 ha were excavated, revealing the outlines of a small Bandkeramik village, encompassing at least 29 house yards. Based on the pottery chronology it is thought
that 4 to 5 house yards were present during each (ceramic) phase. The site has been dated to the Younger and Youngest phases of the Bandkeramik: phase 1d-2a. The house yards cluster and move across the settlement area. The house structures themselves are oriented east to west and consist merely of Modderman Type 2 houses. These are
two prominent features that distinguish this site from other known settlements in the Netherlands and the Graetheide settlement cluster. There seems to be little difference in material culture compared to other sites. Pottery, flint and stone tools typically conform to regional LBK standards. What
was most striking, however, was the enormous amount of flint that was present within three large refuse pits. They resemble the flint blade production workshops from
Verlaine-Petit Paradis and the settlement therefore may have played a comparable important role in social and economic distribution networks.
It is clear that the Cannerberg settlement already holds a special place within the Dutch Bandkeramik. This is not only based on its flint blade industry, but also because of its
striking geographical position, settlement structure and occupation dynamics.
During excavation habitation traces which could be roughly dated to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age were documented.
A number of these locations were subsequently excavated and yielded various yards consisting of house plans and associated outbuildings and pits. The yards could be
dated to the Early Iron Age and first half of the middle Iron Age (ca. 800-400 BC). The Cannerberg is one of the first settlements on the loess soils of Southern Limburg
to yield clear Iron Age houseplans. In addition to the Early Iron Age farmyards a large ditch with a V-shaped cross-section
was found which has been dated to the Late Iron Age. The location of this ditch is remarkable as it cuts off a spit of land protruding from the Cannerberg. A possible
interpretation for this ditch is that we are dealing with a simple type of fortified settlement which are well known from the Late Iron Age.
The excavation yielded a small number of Roman period features among them a partial house plan and several pits and ditches. The features date between AD 50 and 150 and
probably represent a small rural settlement
More recent periods are represented by remains dating to the Dutch War of Independence against Phillip II of Spain (1566-1648) or later. Long elongated ditches
probably relate to one of the sieges of Maastricht. In addition earthworks belonging to a fortification dating to 1632 built by Prince Frederik Hendrik, the sovereign Prince
of Orange were identified on a digital elevation model. During the Second World War the caves in the Cannerberg were used for industrial purpose by the German occupying forces. Remains of allied fire bombs (incendiary cluster bombs) were found scattered over Cannerberg..
the Belgium border. The geographical location of the settlements is atypical, since most of the Dutch LBK
settlements are situated on the middle terraces, with the exception of several younger ones on the eastern side of the Meuse. The research was carried out by Archaeological
Research Leiden BV (Archol) in combination with the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, the National Museum of Antiquities, KF InHeritage and many others.
Based on test trenching, the structure of the settlement was thought to have an open layout. This contrasts with most Dutch LBK settlements such as Elsloo, Stein and Sittard.
In total 3.5 ha were excavated, revealing the outlines of a small Bandkeramik village, encompassing at least 29 house yards. Based on the pottery chronology it is thought
that 4 to 5 house yards were present during each (ceramic) phase. The site has been dated to the Younger and Youngest phases of the Bandkeramik: phase 1d-2a. The house yards cluster and move across the settlement area. The house structures themselves are oriented east to west and consist merely of Modderman Type 2 houses. These are
two prominent features that distinguish this site from other known settlements in the Netherlands and the Graetheide settlement cluster. There seems to be little difference in material culture compared to other sites. Pottery, flint and stone tools typically conform to regional LBK standards. What
was most striking, however, was the enormous amount of flint that was present within three large refuse pits. They resemble the flint blade production workshops from
Verlaine-Petit Paradis and the settlement therefore may have played a comparable important role in social and economic distribution networks.
It is clear that the Cannerberg settlement already holds a special place within the Dutch Bandkeramik. This is not only based on its flint blade industry, but also because of its
striking geographical position, settlement structure and occupation dynamics.
During excavation habitation traces which could be roughly dated to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age were documented.
A number of these locations were subsequently excavated and yielded various yards consisting of house plans and associated outbuildings and pits. The yards could be
dated to the Early Iron Age and first half of the middle Iron Age (ca. 800-400 BC). The Cannerberg is one of the first settlements on the loess soils of Southern Limburg
to yield clear Iron Age houseplans. In addition to the Early Iron Age farmyards a large ditch with a V-shaped cross-section
was found which has been dated to the Late Iron Age. The location of this ditch is remarkable as it cuts off a spit of land protruding from the Cannerberg. A possible
interpretation for this ditch is that we are dealing with a simple type of fortified settlement which are well known from the Late Iron Age.
The excavation yielded a small number of Roman period features among them a partial house plan and several pits and ditches. The features date between AD 50 and 150 and
probably represent a small rural settlement
More recent periods are represented by remains dating to the Dutch War of Independence against Phillip II of Spain (1566-1648) or later. Long elongated ditches
probably relate to one of the sieges of Maastricht. In addition earthworks belonging to a fortification dating to 1632 built by Prince Frederik Hendrik, the sovereign Prince
of Orange were identified on a digital elevation model. During the Second World War the caves in the Cannerberg were used for industrial purpose by the German occupying forces. Remains of allied fire bombs (incendiary cluster bombs) were found scattered over Cannerberg..
