Merovingian Oegstgeest: the setting

Abstract

The inhabitants of Merovingian Oegstgeest lived on the north bank of one of the most important rivers of Northwest Europe, not far from the North Sea. They built their settlement on the driest spot available, but one that was nevertheless not an uninterrupted dry place as it was dissected by gullies and little streams draining the hinterland. Although they lived during centuries characterized by a relatively dry though cold climate, they had to deal with the constant treat of floods. The immediate environment also imposed some restrictions on certain economic activities. Brackish conditions limited the possibility for raising crops. Moreover, the inhabitants might have been short of wood.