UDTR — Radar mondial des droits de la Nature

Isolated and backward Westerwolde (Groningen, the Netherlands)? A confrontation of archaeological and historical data from the Middle Ages in a wider geographical context

Identification

Clé publique

doi:10.21827/602fcb755de5e

Auteurs

Henny A. Groenendijk · van Remi Schaik

Année déclarée

2021

Langue déclarée

en

Type source

article

Première détection

2026-11-09T19:04:47.795152+00:00

Dernière observation des métadonnées

2026-11-09T19:04:47.795152+00:00

Dernière vérification HTTP

Non effectuée

Institutions déclarées par la source

University of Groningen

Pays d’affiliation déclarés

NL

Résumé documentaire — langue originale

The aim of this paper is to question the supposed isolated and backward position of the region of Westerwolde, in the north-eastern part of the Netherlands. Westerwolde’s geographically rather isolated position has traditionally been brought forward to explain its backward image. Progressive peat growth ever since the Bronze Age occupation had transformed Westerwolde into an island. It was abandoned in the Late Iron Age, only to be recolonized in the early Middle Ages. During the 19th century, romantics were still admiring Westerwolde’s arcadian scenery and cultural traditions. In contrast, from the mid-19th century until well into the 20th century, protagonists of modern agriculture criticized its backward farming methods and standard of living, as well as its poor infrastructure. The central issues we address here is whether critics were justified in describing it as backward in the 19th century and whether concrete indications for this assumed backwardness are to be found in previous centuries. To jump from early medieval times to the 19th century is too big a leap, but combining archaeological and ecological data with a renewed and more critical study of written sources against the background of huge landscape transformations has brought a nuanced understanding of how Westerwolde evolved. We present new insights for the period starting with the conquest of Frisia and Saxony by the Carolingians and the introduction of Christianity, when missionaries and newly founded monasteries acquired agricultural assets and rights in the conquered region, up to the late Middle Ages. We therefore analyze church foundations, livelihoods or economic conditions of existence in connection with occupation structures, infrastructure and exchange of consumer goods interdisciplinarily. Conservatism appears easily confused with backwardness, and an aversion to innovation, with indifference, as underlying external factors often forced the inhabitants to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Westerwolde is viewed continuously in connection with the adjacent regions of Drenthe and Lower Saxon Emsland.

Identifiants

OPENALEX

W3173515881

DOI

10.21827/602fcb755de5e

Repères documentaires

Famille documentaire

Doctrine

Types déclarés par les sources

article

Juridictions étudiées — sources explicites

NL

Entités naturelles mentionnées

Paysage

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Sources

OpenAlex · Document 1 · Document 2

• DOI · https://doi.org/10.21827/602fcb755de5e
• OpenAlex · https://openalex.org/W3173515881

Relations bibliographiques documentées

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Statut documentaire

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