Settlement and economy in Early Medieval Antwerp: an assessment of pottery from St. Walburgis excavations 1957–61

A major campaign of archaeological excavation was carried out between 1957 and 1961 in the heart of Early Medieval Antwerp by Adelbert Van de Walle which has provided a significant body of evidence relating to the early development of Antwerp. However, much of the material recovered remained largely unpublished and has only been partially remedied by subsequent studies. The problems surrounding the method of excavation have led to use of the material being of limited significance. Advances in the study of Early Medieval ceramics in recent years have now enabled us to approach the material from these excavations with renewed interpretations. This paper presents evidence from an assessment of the pottery from the excavations in the light of the advances of chronolog y and interpretation of Early Medieval ceramics. As a result, fresh insights into the chronology and economic development of Early Medieval Antwerp are revealed.