"The most striking discovery is a concentration of natural stone cannonballs-numbering in the dozens-buried together on the site. These projectiles were commonly used between about 1350 and 1600, a period when gunpowder weapons were becoming increasingly important in European warfare."
"The cannonballs appear to have been carefully made, with a high degree of standardization and finish, suggesting they were intended for early firearms. At the same time, the variation in their sizes indicates a diverse arsenal, possibly reflecting different types of weapons in use."
"While it is still too early to determine the exact function of these structures, archaeologists expect that further analysis and dating will clarify how they relate to the surrounding urban landscape."
"The excavation site lies close to where Nieuwpoort's city hall and belfry have stood since the thirteenth century, making the finds particularly significant for understanding the development of the medieval town."
Excavations in Nieuwpoort revealed a hoard of medieval cannonballs and structural remains, shedding light on the city's historical significance as a fortified settlement. Conducted ahead of a new Administrative Centre construction, the site showed traces of Middle Ages soil, walls, and floor levels indicating previously unknown structures. The cannonballs, standardized and varied in size, suggest a diverse arsenal linked to early firearms. Further analysis is needed to understand the relationship of these finds to the urban landscape and the city's medieval defenses.
Read at Medievalists.net
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]