Fething, tidal channel and water well: geoarchaeological excavations at Iggewarden completed

In calendar week 34, the NIhK successfully completed its excavations at Iggewarden. As part of the project “Dwelling mounds and beach ridges in northern Butjadingen”, the interdisciplinary team led by Thorsten Becker, Kira Raith, and Dr. Johan Nicolay continued its investigation of an area nearly 100 m long between two terps at Iggewarden, in order to explore the origins of the landscape and the development of settlements. This year’s focus was on areas characterized by a distinctive interweaving of natural and artificial layers and thus indicate an alternation of human activities and natural sedimentation. 

In the process, a tidal channel up to 20 m wide was documented, located centrally between the two terps. In addition, a freshwater pond (a so-called “Fething”) and a water well on the flanks of these two settlement mounds were documented.

The results show that the tidal channel had already silted up during an early settlement phase approximately 2,000 years ago, that is, during the early Roman Iron Age. Dug into the sediment filling this channel were numerous man-made ditches and above these terp layers, which ultimately completely covered the former channel. These findings provide evidence of intensive use and artificial shaping of the area surrounding the terps.

An artificial pond found at ground level in the salt marsh next to the southern terp showed traces of livestock trampling along its edges, suggesting that it was used as a freshwater source. It must therefore have been constructed after the silting up of the tidal channel, as a regular influx of saltwater would have impaired its function. At the southern end of the neighboring terp, the excavation team was also able to completely excavate the remains of a 3.5-meter-deep, dung-filled well. Inside, they discovered a solid maple object approximately 30 cm in diameter, numerous animal bones, scattered pottery fragments and a bronze armband. Further analysis of these objects is still pending.