Edegem, Belgium

Ground Plan of Excavation Site from Excavation Report

Ancient Circles of Edegem Destroyed

By John Palmer

 

An archaeological excavation was carried out in the years 2005 and 2006, on the highest point, in the ward Buisegem of the municipality Edegem (Flanders, Belgium)]

The most significant find at the site was a double-ring ditch. A significant Neolithic Circle was found at the site along with vestiges of another concentric circle dating from the later Iron Age.

Despite enormous soil erosion since the Metal Ages, an important circle of postholes had survived. The late Neolithic circle from ca. 3000-2000 BC, about eight metres (ca. 26 Ft) wide, had 39 wooden posts in a ditch. Each post had a diameter of 16 inches, only the shadow of the postholes remained, which originally encircled a barrow, or mound.

Archaeologists, in my experience,never seem to pay attention to the number of posts; three and nine are formulaic numbers. 3 X 39 = 117 ft. The overall diameter of the associated early Iron Age circle was also 117 Ft.

 

An Earlier Circle

During the early Iron Age (800- 500 BC), the Neolithic circle was taken as the center for a wider circular ditch, which measured 54 meters (117 Ft) diameter, this formed a grave of royal dimensions, the largest ever excavated in Flanders.

Ground Plan of Neolithic Circle

Photographed by Carine Palmer

The archaeologists did not note the meaningful connection between the Neolithic and Iron Age circles. These measurements are not merely a ‘details’, rather, these touch upon the deeper meaning of the monument as sacred site. The full extent of the Iron Age circle could not be completely investigated due to houses having been built nearby.

The archaeologists do not question how it is possible that Iron Age people knew about the Neolithic circle; although the wooden posts would have since long rotted away, they were able to locate the exact centre of the barrow. The burial and its location would have been orally passed on from generation to generation, of which elsewhere in Europe some striking instances are known.

The Final Stage of the Excavation

In the Final Stage of the Excavation Square Coupes destroy Circular Post holes

Photo from Excavation Report

The archaeologists, in the final stage of the excavation, effectively destroyed the circle of postholes by making square coupes. The original positions of the postholes were wiped out by these coupes. Thus, all the knowledge inherent in the original measurements of the circle was lost, along with important vestiges of our common knowledge. This confirms my worst fears. The followers of a licensed discipline, that is called archaeology, no longer takes any genuine responsibility for preserving the true integrity of the monument, thereby again completely destroying important vestiges of our common ancient inheritance. (See photo above)

Under supervision of Jessica Vandevelde, archaeologist at the excavations in 2006, the original postholes were wiped out, while Rica Annaert, scientific guide at the Vlaams Instituut voor het Onroerend Erfgoed (Flemish Institute for Immoveable Inheritance), would have looked on while this was happening. Guy Van Sande, Schepen (alderman) of Culture of the municipality Edegem, did nothing to stop this distressing chain of events from happening.

A “Replica” of the Circle

Inaccurate Replica of the Neolithic Barrow

Photographed by Carine Palmer

 The municipality Edegem built a ‘replica’ (sic) of the Neolithic monument as a ‘memorial’ of the burial mound of which the surrounding wooden posts are by far too short- From the excavation report: “The depth of the posts indicates these were rather long and thus stuck for the greater part above walking level and thereby formed an impressive ring of post”. A nearby information board states the archaeological excavation destroyed all remaining traces of of the original monument.

The ‘replica’ is not a true copy of the original position of the postholes; it is inaccurate and is merely the result of ill logic and disrespect of the ancient sacred Place, wherefore it is ultimately meaningless. Only due respect will engender contact of mind with Place and hence understanding. It is needful the archaeologists of today change their awareness and become conscious of the true and harmonious intentions of the ancient builders.