The Belgian polders, Flanders: a test case 2002-2006

From 2002 to 2006 about 400ha of the Belgian Polders reclaimed wetlands, in the vicinity of Oostende and Middelkerke, have been surveyed archaeologically in order to establish a methodology to determine efficiently their archaeological value. The surveyed area, perpendicular to the present coastline and stretching from the beach to the sandy region, is 3 to 4km wide and about 7.5km long. The museum of Walraversijde is the logistical centre for public outreach for the project. The Belgian Polders are very poorly understood archaeologically and, as a result, also largely undervalued. This survey project set out to develop an efficient strategy for the proper archaeological evaluation of this area and to contribute to a better understanding of the potential for research and presentation