A Late Roman Quay in the River Meuse near Cuijk, Netherlands

Abstract

The detection of the waterlogged remains of massive oak foundation piles in the river Meuse near the Dutch city of Cuijk led to the discovery of a unique Late Roman site. The piles, driven into the river-bed, had protected vast layers of organic material containing all kind of artefacts against erosion by the river. Increased erosion during recent decades has uncovered much of the structure and artefacts, which have been meticulously recorded and collected by divers of the Dutch foundation Mergor in Mosam. Analysis of all data retrieved over the past 20 years has provided much information about the environment and life in Ceuclum, the Roman city of Cuijk.