Origin and Early History of the Medieval Centre Helmond. A synthesis of the Archaeological Data

<p>Samenvatting Odyssee project<br>Based on archaeological data can be shown that Helmond is a late Medieval Created City. The city foundation may be related to the powerful politics of the Duke of Brabant and took place in the immediate vicinity of an existing settlement, called the Hague. At the end of the twelfth century, on the outskirts of the Hague nearby the river valley of the Aa, a for the northwest of Europe exceptional wooden castle was build. A series of very rare archaeological finds from the excavation of this swamp castle (for example bone and ivory chess pieces) can be related to the residence of Maria van Brabant, daughter of the Duke of Brabant and widow of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, also widow of the Count of Holland. She was Lady of Helmond, and by her doing around 1240 the monastery Binderen was founded, just north of the centre of Helmond. Since 1980, through excavations by amateur archaeologists and professional archaeologists much archaeological data were gathered both inside and around the current centre. From most excavations a basis report conform the current mandatory basis reporting legislation is missing. At present, the municipality of Helmond invested heavily in a large project to produce basic archaeological reports, that will be available during 2010. The investment totals € 150,000,- , of which approximately € 75,000,- will be used for elaborate excavations in and around the Medieval town (and c. € 75,000,- will be used for archaeological projects from prehistoric and Roman periods). Within the currently available additional resources of the municipality of Helmond a synthesis concerning Origin and Early History of the Medieval Centre Helmond is not provided. This application seeks a scientific synthesis report on archaeological research in and around the Medieval town Centre of Helmond. The results of such a synthesis will be compared with the results of archaeological and historical research on urban and rural areas of Eindhoven which is currently performed under the NWO program "Town and Countryside: The Dynamic Symbiosis" of the research Urbanization City & Culture (period 2006-2010). The synthesis of Archaeological investments from Helmond will be translated into a scientific report, a public-friendly book, a website and an exhibition at the City Museum of Helmond.</p>