Archaeologists have unearthed approximately forty wooden posts beneath an Albert Heijn supermarket on the Breestraat in Leiden, a discovery that shifts the known timeline of the city’s origins by up to 350 years. According to Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken, a significant number of these artifacts date back to between 650 and 900 AD, predating the previously held belief that the area was first settled around the year 1000.
Evidence of Early Medieval Settlement
The discovery occurred during construction work for a new bicycle cellar beneath the supermarket. The presence of these posts serves as evidence that human habitation existed on the southern bank of the Rhine during the early Middle Ages. Prior to this, historical records and archaeological findings for the region were sparse, with the earliest identified structures typically dated to the 11th century.
The site was situated on slightly elevated ground, though researchers note it was still subject to regular flooding whenever the Rhine breached its banks. The archaeological evidence suggests that a major flood event eventually forced the abandonment of this early settlement. Permanent habitation in the area did not resume until the 12th century.
Did You Know?
The name “Leython,” which appears in the 9th-century Sint-Maartensregister, translates roughly to “at the waters.” Historians have long suspected that the three settlement cores mentioned in this ecclesiastical archive corresponded to the location of modern-day Leiden, a theory now supported by these recent finds.
Impact on Construction and Historical Records
The find forces a re-evaluation of Leiden’s early history, effectively pushing the city’s origins back by at least one century and potentially as many as 350 years. While the Sint-Maartensregister provided a textual reference to “Leython” around 850 AD, the physical evidence of the posts provides the concrete archaeological support previously missing from the record.
Future Status of the Breestraat Project
The future of the bicycle cellar project remains uncertain following the discovery. The facility was originally scheduled to open to the public by the end of this year, but the presence of significant historical remains may necessitate further evaluation or preservation efforts. Officials have not yet announced how the construction timeline will be adjusted to accommodate the preservation of the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old are the wooden posts found in Leiden?
Archaeologists report that a significant number of the forty recovered posts date to the period between 650 and 900 AD.
Why was this area abandoned in the Middle Ages?
According to researchers, the settlement on the southern bank of the Rhine was eventually destroyed by a major flood, leading to a period where the site was unoccupied until permanent settlement returned in the 12th century.
What does this discovery mean for the current construction project?
The opening of the bicycle cellar, which was planned for the end of the year, is currently in question as the impact of the historical find on the construction site remains unknown.
How should cities balance the need for modern infrastructure with the preservation of newly discovered historical sites?