"Gewerbewurten" and "Geestrandhäfen" - medieval harbours of trading places along the German North Sea coast

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The aim of the research project is the interdisciplinary examination of Early medieval harbours and trading settlements at the German North Sea coast. The project focuses on the palaeoenvironmental location, the characterisation and functionality of harbour facilities and on the economic and social importance of associated trading settlements within the North Sea communication network.The first phase of the project showed that the so-called Langwurten ('Long Terps'), traditionally considered as settlements of traders and craftsmen, as well as the newly defined Gewerbewurten (´craft and trade terps`) are, in fact, rarely focused on cross-regional trade and commerce. Furthermore, there is also evidence that apart from Gewerbewurten and settlements at Geestrandburgen (coastal hillforts along the edge of dry land) beach markets with craft production were involved in the maritime trade. The combined use of geomagnetic methods with pedological-sedimentological studies and archaeological test-pits allowed the localisation of former watercourses, potential harbour areas and hydraulic infrastructure activities in the vicinity of these places. Moreover, informations on the extent, character and density as well as the dating and economic orientation of the settlements were determined. Harbour-specific fittings in the form of wood or stone structures were not yet detectable. However, due to the palaeogeographic situation and archaeological sources, the existence of harbours can be firmly suggested. In the second phase of the project it is intended to apply and further enhance the successful methodology of high-resolution palaeogeographic reconstructions at selected sites. Furthermore it is planned to examine the manner in which ports were connected to settlements, whether facilities for loading and unloading ships were constructed and which economic and social functions the maritime settlements had at both the local and the regional level. The results will be used for a cross-regional comparison of harbour settlements and presented in the form of a publishable manuscript at the end of the project period.