Roman Aardenburg: castellum or fortified town?: De Romeinse agglomeratie Aardenburg. Onderzoek naar de ontwikkeling, structuur en datering van de Romeinse castella en hun omgeving, opgegraven in de periode 1955 - heden

Data van de opgravingen te Aardenburg. Door J.A. Trimpe Burger en zijn opvolgers zijn tussen 1955 en 1996 veel opgravingen uitgevoerd waarbij voornamelijk resten van een Romeinse nederzetting en de Middeleeuwse stad zijn aangetroffen. Summary Odyssee project The Roman settlement of Aardenburg (in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands) was excavated with great precision from 1955 until 1988. The features and finds from these large-scale excavations demonstrate an enormous potential for enhancing our knowledge of the Roman coastal occupation and defence works during the late 2nd and 3rd century AD. Unfortunately, no study has thus far been carried out to fully integrate the excavation data and interpret these data in a regional, international and historical context. From recent excavations in Flanders, northern France and the United Kingdom, it is clear that the Romans built important defence systems along the North Sea coast in the 2nd and 3rd century AD. The knowledge of these defences on Dutch territory is poor. The quality of the data from Aardenburg is pristine and enormous steps can be made in the understanding and knowledge concerning this "coastal limes", not only within the Dutch context, but also on an international scale. The aim of this research project is to gain insight in the nature, chronology of this supposed military site, through critical evaluation and study of the excavation data and by studying specific material culture categories in their contexts. This research will result in publications for both the (international) scientific and the public community. Furthermore, the project aims to provide the basis for further academic research in which the socio-economic relations of the Roman settlement at Aardenburg within the region and within interregional trade-networks can be studied