Human-environment interactions in Flemish floodplains during the medieval and early modern period

This PhD is part of an interdisciplinary project that aims at providing a reconstruction of floodplain landscapes in Flanders through time. As the landscape is a result of the interaction between the environment and human actions, all physical, direct and indirect human interventions in three case study floodplain sites (Demer, Dijle and Gete) will be mapped by combining an archaeological, historic and geographical analysis. The time-depth analysis of past human-environment interactions in floodplains will teach us how the present-day landscape came about and to which time period specific landscape features can be traced back, such that the landscape can be read as a palimpsest. Therefore, we will be able to better manage and preserve the cultural heritage within floodplains. The analysis will also show us to what extent humans directly or indirectly induced changes in the river system, such that it is possible to assess how the floodplain provided buffer capacities through time and how we can provide sustainable management in future. Chronologically, this PhD will focus on the medieval and early modern times (roughly 500-1800 AD). In this PhD-project, a landscape-based approach will be implemented and a wide range of sources will be used, including archaeological inventory data, aerial photography, LIDAR elevation data, historical maps and archives, but also data to be collected in this project through archeological and geomorphic field work.