In light of tidal restoration and nature development projects, several alluvial areas in the Lower Scheldt Basin (LSB) have been subjected to geo-archaeological surveys and excavations. An analysis of 80 radiocarbon dates obtained in these studies shows several trends in the chronology of Lateglacial and Holocene fluvial activity in the LSB. Similar evolutions are observed in other lowland river basins in NW Europe, and can be related to both climatic changes, and from the 4 th millennium cal BP onwards, also to anthropogenic influences. In general a low energy aggradation regime dominates the built up of the alluvial area throughout most of the early and middle Holocene. In several areas of the LSB fluvial activity increases in the 1 st millennium BC, with the incision and following aggradation of local channels. From the Roman period onwards the aggradation of alluvial fines again dominates the fluvial regime, extending the area of overbank sedimentation. The comparison between these radiocarbon dating results and the observed archaeological record allows to draw conclusions concerning the interplay between landscape development and the presence and preservation of the archaeological record.

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Animals