Images: Reclaimed Medieval Wetlands

Medieval Ditch Excavation

Medieval ditch excavation project

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Marc Van Meirvenne)

A new survey reported in Scientific Reports March 21 revealed a medieval wetland reclamation project near Boudelo abbey. Here, one of two excavation sites that revealed brick foundations dating to the 13th and early 14th centuries.

Medieval Excavation

Medieval ditch excavation project

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Marc Van Meirvenne)

Overview of the excavation at S1 showing the two excavated block brick foundations and the two ditches, dug out in the lake sediments (layered soil) and the sandy substrate, filled in with clay-heavy sediment and organic material.

Brick Foundations

Brick foundations of monastery building.

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

A brick foundation that was part of the outer reaches of the Boudelo monastery in Belgium.

Foundation Excavation

Medieval ditch excavation project

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

Excavation of brick foundations at the Boudelo abbey site in Belgium.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction

reconstruction of monastery grounds

(Image credit: Philippe De Smedt, Scientific Reports)

A three-dimensional reconstruction of the topography of the medieval monastery grounds at Boudelo. The excavated foundations are in yellow.

Wetlands Site

Medieval wetlands site in Belgium

(Image credit: (© Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

The site of the former wetlands is now pasture land.

EMI Sensor

Electromagnetic induction sensor

(Image credit: Philippe De Smedt)

An electromagnetic induction sensor used to map out what's underground by detecting variations in magnetism and electrical conductivity of soil.

Wetlands Excavation Site

The dig site at the monastery.

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

The first of two excavation sites made to confirm the subsurface mapping.

Excavation Site One

Medieval wetlands site in Belgium

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

View from above, looking into the excavation at S1 from another angle, showing the ditches. Behind the trees current agricultural buildings are visible, built on top of the sandridge.

Excavation in Progress

Medieval ditch excavation project

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Wim De Clercq)

Archaeologists excavate on the lands of the medieval monastery.

Excavation Profile

Medieval wetlands site in Belgium

(Image credit: © Ghent University, Jeroen De Reu)

A photograph of the sediments excavated.

Stephanie Pappas
Live Science Contributor

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.