Articles

The Middle Palaeolithic Finds from Hogersmilde

Authors

  • J.D. van der Waals
  • H.T. Waterbolk

Abstract

(p. 36)

The finding of some 70 artefacts of Middle Palaeolithic dated in January 1965, on the boulder-clay near Hogersmilde in Drenthe certainly was good luck, but by no means pure chance. Ever since the handaxe from Wynjeterp (Friesland; Bohmers & Wouters, 1954) was published, skipper Tjerk Vermaning of Hijkersmilde had realized its implications. This one handaxe, abandoned and later found on top of the Saale boulder-clay, underneath Weichsel coversand, implied that Middle Palaeolithic hunters had been present at that site, and that more finds of that period could be expected. Therefore, and mainly since 1960, Mr. Vermaning started to hunt systematically for Middle Palaeolithic artefacts in those areas where the boulder-clay is near the surface and not covered by coversand of more recent times. In so doing, he concentrated on those areas which, due to their impenetrable and badly drained character, have been avoided by practically all hunters and settlers of post-Weichsel date. Furthermore, in consequence of the great quantity of naturally broken flint litrering the surface, these areas had sofar disheartened amateur collectors.

Published

1973-12-15

Issue

Section

Articles