Medieval Oven Discovery in Eeklo Draws 250 Visitors for Free Tours

Eeklo (Eurotoday) – Archaeologists in Eeklo, led by Tomas Bradt, have uncovered a 14th-15th century oven. Around 250 visitors, including Elise Ryckaert, explored the site with free guided tours, which also revealed skeletons (13th-17th century) and cart tracks (pre-1240).

Recent visitors to Eeklo witnessed the discovery of an ancient oven from the 14th and 15th centuries. The exact purpose of the oven remains unknown, but officials noted that Eeklo is often called “Baker’s City” due to a historical legend. Archaeologist Tomas Bradt, who is leading the study of the site, stated that they are investigating why the oven was built in that location.

Bradt suggested that the oven could have been a communal baking site where townspeople gathered on special occasions or market days. Another possibility is that it served as a social space where people baked and exchanged news. Researchers hope that understanding how the oven functioned in medieval Eeklo will provide deeper insights into the city’s past.

We are investigating why such a large oven structure could have been here,

says archaeologist Tomas Bradt.

What did 250 visitors discover at Eeklo’s archaeological site?

Officials reported that a large number of people visited the site, including families, history enthusiasts, and local residents eager to learn about their town’s past. One of the visitors, Elise Ryckaert, brought her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter to explore the excavation.

Ryckaert, who walks by the site daily, expressed her curiosity about what had been buried there for centuries. She found it fascinating to imagine life in the past and appreciated how archaeology revives forgotten stories. The guided tours drew significant interest and engagement from visitors.

The archaeological discoveries in Eeklo extended beyond the medieval oven. Excavations also uncovered human skeletons dating back to the 13th-17th centuries, as well as cart tracks from before 1240. Officials emphasized the importance of these findings in understanding historical trade and transportation in the area.

Additionally, archaeologists identified what could be a ditch from the era of the religious wars, which may offer insights into the conflicts that shaped Eeklo’s history. Tomas Bradt noted that all these discoveries contribute to a better understanding of the city’s development from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. As a result, local interest in Eeklo’s historical heritage has grown.

Approximately blank”>250 people attended the tours, with some visitors arriving without prior registration. The city’s heritage official, Ann Van den Driessche, expressed delight at the strong turnout. Soon, the excavation site will be covered, and redevelopment will begin in front of the town hall.

Later in the year, work will commence in the area where cafes and restaurants are located, and new excavations will take place. There is hope that further historical artifacts will be uncovered. Eeklo is committed to preserving its historical legacy while continuing to modernize the city for future generations.