Archaeologists have uncovered a cache of almost 500 medieval cannonballs in the West Flemish port city of Nieuwpoort. The discovery was made during archaeological excavations on the site where the city is planning to build its new administrative centre. The cannonballs are made of natural stone and vary in size. It is extremely rare for such a large arsenal of weapons to be discovered.
Nieuwpoort wants to build a new administrative centre. Trial excavations of the proposed site showed that it would be worthwhile to conduct more extensive archaeological research first. The excavations began in mid-February and lasted two weeks.
In addition to customary finds, like the remains of walls and floors, a very unusual discovery was made: a large stockpile of cannonballs dating from the Middle Ages. The cache consists of dozens of cannonballs of varying sizes, which were stored barely one metre below street level.
'The cannonballs were used between 1350 and 1600. They could be fired from cannons as well as catapults or trebuchets,‘ says Mayor Kris Vandecasteele. Trebuchets are powerful medieval siege engines, designed to breach fortified castle walls using a gravity-powered counterweight system. ’Their finish suggests that they were intended for use by the artillery. However, the exact context of the depot is not yet entirely clear.'
In addition to medieval remains, traces from the 20th century were also uncovered. During the excavations, an unexploded shell from the First World War was found. The army bomb disposal unit attended the site to secure and remove the ammunition. This discovery is a reminder of the devastation of 1914-1918, when Nieuwpoort was completely wiped off the map of West Flanders.