Archaeological heritage
The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority owns no less than 3,200 hectares of land. Some of these plots contain archaeological remains from the past. Often, we do not even know exactly what lies beneath the ground. Below is an overview of the various archaeological heritage sites (some of which are partially) in our possession.
Village scenes
Our region many historic villages of archaeological value. The water authority to these village landscapes through the iconic waters that we maintain.
Onderdendam
This village is a crossroads of waterways and land routes and developed into an important port and transshipment point. The location connects the Winsumerdiep, the Boterdiep, and the Warffumermaar. In the past, the so-called warfdagen (warf days) of judges and sluice judges were held here.
Ten Post
Ten Post is located along the Damsterdiep canal, which was dug in the 15th century. The village developed along the (old) road from Stedum to Wittewierum.
Enumatil
This village owes its name in part to the bridge over the Hoendiep canal, which was dug in the 17th century. Little is known about any earlier habitation of the site.
Garrels weather
Garrelsweer is a dyke village that originated on the Delf, the predecessor of the Damsterdiep. In 1057, the village was granted market, coinage, and toll rights. In the Middle Ages, the village came to lie in the shadow of Loppersum.
Kommerzijl
Kommerzijl is a village that originated at the old sea lock around 1600. The village is located on the Kommerzijlsterriet, which at the time drained into the sea. The lock and the water still remind us of the time when the place served as a sluice.
Schouwerzijl
The village of Schouwerzijl is characterized by the lock that is clearly visible in the landscape. Schouwerzijl originated as the location where the water from the Kromme Raken flowed into the Reitdiep. It used to be a sea lock.
Menkeweer Cemetery
Menkeweer Cemetery, with 56 graves, is located on an ancient mound (terp) north of Onderdendam. This mound dates back to the late Roman period. Until 1843, there was a church on this cemetery, which was subsequently removed. The Hunsigo Water Board purchased the cemetery in 1960 because it "felt morally obliged to maintain this grave (i.e. that of Mr. A.J. van Roijen, the first chairman (dyke reeve) of the water authority his entourage) in proper condition." When Hunsingo was absorbed into the Noorderzijlvest Water Board, the cemetery became the property of the Noorderzijlvest Water Board.
Wierden
In the early Middle Ages, the northern part of the Netherlands was inhabited on mounds (terpen). These raised hills were places where people lived and kept their livestock during times of high water. These mounds can still be found in the landscape of North Groningen and tell the story of the early struggle against water.
Village mound Loose village
The village mound of Losdorp comprises a moated churchyard with a church. The mound is 3.60 meters above sea level. The northwestern quadrant is surrounded by a ring ditch. The southern part of the mound is the former site of the 'Fraylema' manor house. The northwestern part is intact, while the rest has been partially excavated. The water authority the watercourse this site.
Huiswierde Ulrum
On this mound, there are still buildings, a moat, and an elevation in the land that can be recognized as a mound. Remains of human activity are likely to be found in the soil. The water authority the watercourse this site.
Relics
Remains of former settlements can be found in the region the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority. In the past, remains were found during the construction of waterworks.
Remains of Feldwerd monastery (Eems Delta)
A monastery was founded on this site in the twelfth century. The monastery must have consisted of at least a church, two monasteries, an abbot's house, a gate, a wall, farms, and perhaps a mill. The monastery was demolished during the Eighty Years' War, and the site was leveled in the 1970s. The water authority the watercourse this site.
Spijk deposit area
This estate comprises a walled and moated farm, which has recently been enlarged. The south moat has been filled in, as have the moats surrounding the courtyard. The south embankment has disappeared, but the others remain intact. The estate has attractive moating and planting. The water authority the watercourse this estate.
