A discovery of over 3,000 archaeological objects spanning the Stone Age to the Second World War in a stream valley in the Netherlands has highlighted how humans have been drawn to water throughout history.
The objects, including 600 of “particular significance”, were found in the Nieuwe Drostendiep stream valley, showing that locations like this have been important to humans for centuries as trade routes, sources of food, and even places of spiritual significance, say experts.
The Nieuwe Drostendiep stream valley, which lies between Sleen and Oosterhesselen in the Drenthe province in the north of the country, is undergoing environmental restoration work. As part of this process, the upper soil layer of the area was carefully examined by archaeologists. To their amazement, they found hundreds of items, including tools from the Stone Age and Bronze Age and jewellery dating from 200 BC to the early Middle Ages.
Of particular interest was a gold ring dated to the 3rd or 4th century AD and a fibula pin (an item used to fasten clothing, considered the precursor to the button) dated to the 10th or 11th century AD. Archaeologists also uncovered objects from more recent periods, such as the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) and the Second World War.
