Dorestad

Dorestad was the most important trading settlement in the 7th to 9th century in the Netherlands. It was and in Wijk bij Duurstede near Utrecht at the fork of the Lower Rhine in the Lek and the Kromme Rijn. The place had from north to south a length of about 1000 m ( some researchers believe even 2.5-3 km). The east- west extension was between 90 and 150 m.

History

Three important trade routes met in Dorestad. A led Upper Rhine to Germany, France. A second went west in the direction of Domburg, Quentovic (France) and Hamwic, Fordwich, London, York and Ipswich (all in England). The third led by the North Sea, the Wadden Sea on the Cimbrian peninsula in Schleswig or Hedeby and from there to the Baltic states or after Skiringssal in Norway and the Swedish Birka.

Founded as a Frisian settlement, presumably at the site of a former Roman fort, the fort Levefanum, the place at 700 was conquered by the Franks. A Frankish fort was built just outside the city of merchants. In Dorestad Frankish coins were minted. Testify coins found with the representation of Holk and the inscription " Dorestatus ". During its heyday Dorestad likely to have had 2,500 to 3,000 inhabitants.

Excavations

The northern area of Dorestad a port and artisans' quarter, with inland farms, was excavated mainly around 1928 and 1967-1977 by archaeologists. It was, inter alia, Earthenware in the first tating the relevant types and found out Badorf and Mayen ( Date: 8th and 9th centuries ). Other parts can not be excavated because the town of Wijk bij Duurstede is there, or because the water of the rivers has left nothing more.

In today's Wijk bij Duurstede an important part of the exhibition is dedicated to the old Dorestad the local museum " Museum Dorestad ".

51.9755.34Koordinaten: 51 ° 58 '30 " N, 5 ° 20' 24" E

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