Within the historic centre of Brussels, excavations over a huge area have revealed the well-preserved remains of a medieval harbour along the Senne River. This watercourse, essential to the city’s origins and development, saw continuous occupation from the 10th to 16th centuries. The riverbanks were gradually reinforced in the 12th century, and by the 14th–15th centuries, the Senne was canalised, as indicated by a stone quay wall and boat dock. These transformations reflect the river’s critical role in shaping the city's economy and infrastructure. A diverse range of artifacts, including fish traps, pottery, metal objects and leather goods, have been unearthed, alongside an extensive collection of animal remains, providing crucial insights into medieval diet, economy, and waste disposal practices. The faunal assemblage, primarily from the 14th–15th century channelled riverbed, consists largely of consumption refuse, with clear evidence of butchery marks on bones. Remains of domestic livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, together with poultry (geese and chicken) and a variety of fish species from both marine and freshwater environments, indicate not only a diversified food supply, but also the activities of butchers operating nearby. In addition to these dietary remains, the excavation uncovered whole carcasses of dogs, cats, and horses, discarded into the river, as well as small bones, likely originating from human excrements. Evidence of artisanal activities, such as horn, bone, and antler processing, suggests that craft industries were also located near the river. These findings highlight the Senne River’s dual role as both a resource and a repository, illustrating medieval Brussels’ complex human-environment interactions. The study of these animal remains offers valuable data on urban food consumption, and waste disposal in the medieval period. Despite centuries of transformation, the river remains a key witness to the city’s past.
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In the last decade, macrobotanical remains from meters-thick infills of riverbeds excavated at two archaeological sites in Brussels were extensively studied. To the north of the city centre, at the site of Tour & Taxis, the remains of a meandering river arm was brought to light. Archaeological finds indicate human occupation during the Gallo-Roman period, while in the early medieval period anthropogenic activities declined and the river arm gradually disappeared from the landscape. The second site is situated within the ancient city centre of Brussels, in the area of the medieval harbour on the Senne, where several phases of the medieval river were uncovered. The oldest layers document on the towns’ earliest developments while the most recent deposits shed light on the late medieval city and its urbanisation. The results of the macrobotanical analyses of these two similar contexts from a rural and an urban site illustrate the potential and challenges of archaeobotanical studies of fluvial deposits and highlight the importance of an integrated taphonomical approach. The exceptional diversity of the plant material and its excellent waterlogged preservation offer unique insights into various aspects of daily life through time. Plant remains from both sites consist of a mixture of naturally accumulated material and remains from anthropogenic deposits, including animal dung, human excrements, fuel, domestic and artisanal waste. Due to the diverse origins of the botanical material that ended up in the water, the assemblages not only provide information on the local vegetation history but also on agriculture, food economy, trade, ornamental plants and waste management. In addition, numerous remains from the urban Senne deposits give material evidence for textile working and dyeing with plants along the riverbanks for more than three centuries. Keywords: Archaeobotany; Vegetation; Food Economy; Textile Working; Urbanisation; Taphonomy; River Deposits Presentation in session E2: River and Inland Water Archaeology - Exploring submerged and Watercourse-Linked Cultural Heritage
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