When the Shore becomes the Sea: New maritime archaeological insights on the dynamic development of the northeastern Zuyder Zee region (AD 1100 – 1400), the Netherlands

Between 1100 and 1400 AD, the northeastern Zuyder Zee region underwent dramatic transformation from uninhabited peatlands to open sea, erasing nearly all traces of human activity. This rapid shift was driven by a combination of natural storm surges and human land reclamation practices that destabilized the landscape. The study, integrating archaeological, geological, and historical-geographic data in a digital spatial environment, reveals that late medieval settlements—evidenced by pottery, bricks, and animal bones—were among the last remnants of this dynamic region where communities adapted to water-driven changes. These findings highlight the dual impact of environmental forces: while storms destroyed land and livelihoods, they also opened new maritime trade routes that later brought prosperity.

van Popta, Y. When the Shore becomes the Sea: New maritime archaeological insights on the dynamic development of the northeastern Zuyder Zee region (AD 1100 – 1400), the Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.135931299