The settlement from the early Middle Ages on the Wurt Hessens in Wilhelmshaven within the urban area of Wilhelmshaven

(A. Siegmüller)

The dwelling mound Hessens from the early Middle Ages is situated on the south-west outskirts of Wilhelmshaven between the railway line to Sande and the Ems-Jade-Canal. Although the immediate surroundings of the terp were filled during the construction of the harbour, the terp which is about 2 hectares is still apparent as a slight elevation in the terrain. The area was excavated between 1939 and 1963 by the NIhK under the direction of W. Haarnagel and W. Reinhardt. These excavations are currently being evaluated by A. Siegmüller, M.A., in the context of a doctoral thesis at the University of Hamburg. The dissertation is sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK). The project is supervised by H. Jöns and W. H. Zimmermann. The evaluation of the excavations led to a far reaching understanding of settlement development and economy in the marsh between the 7^th and 10^th century A.D.. Particularly significant are the excellent conditions for preservation in the damp ground milieu of the terp, which also conserved organic objects such as wood, feathers and textiles until their excavation.

Excavated wooden construction in the Fething. Photo: NIhK.

In the area of the excavation were four continuously occupied farmstead plots, which were arranged around an open space. On the open space there were a large Fething and a turf well which, because of their position, were probably co-operatively used facilities. Within the Fething there was a massive wooden construction from the 7^th century, which had already been discovered during the first excavation in 1939. In the course of the excavation and evaluation, this was subject to the most varied interpretation, ranging from a stockade fortification to a cattle watering place. In the course of folkloristic comparisons and a detailed analysis of the existing artefacts, it has recently been possible to re-interpret these articles as a significant element in the production of textiles. It is highly probable that it is a facility, in which sheep could be washed, in order to achieve wool that was as clean as possible. This high quality sheep's wool provided one of the most important export commodities of the marsh dwellers.

Particularly interesting is also the development of one farmstead plot, adjacent to a small navigable channel, in the course of the 7^th century. The conversion of this three aisled longhouse with stable to a boat house with a slip way was established, so that one must assume increased exchange of goods by oat.

Reconstruction of the settlement on the terp Hessens from 1951. Drawing: Heinz Janszen

Bibliography

Siegmüller, A., Bungenstock, F. (2011): Der Anschluss der Wurt Hessens an gezeitenbeeinflusste Wasserwege und die Nachweise für Schifffahrt. Siedlungs- und Küstenforschung im südlichen Nordseegebiet 34, 2011, 321-331.