ABSOLUTE DATING OF AEOLIAN SEDIMENTS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF GHENT: FIRST RESULTS

Authors

  • Jasper Van Nieuland Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Department of Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • Dimitri Vandenberghe Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Department of Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • Frank Gelaude Conservation of Monuments and Landscapes, Antwerp University, Belgium
  • Peter Van den Haute Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology (Luminescence Research Group), Department of Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Keywords:

OSL-dating, Ghent, Late Glacial, dunes, coversand, windblown sediments

Abstract

Today’s physical landscape in the Ghent city area (E Flanders, Belgium) is the result of human activity. Previous studies that aimed at understanding the city in its former environmental context focused on reconstructing the hydrographical network. The role of Late Quaternary aeolian processes and landforms has not been considered. Incited by a reappraisal of the evidence in historical records, our study aims at contributing to an improved understanding of the significance of this windblown (micro) relief.

In this paper, we report on results from optical dating of two aeolian sequences (near the “Emile Braunplein” and the “Hoogpoort”) in the historical city centre. Optical dates of ~ 11 ka – ~ 15 ka indicate deposition during the Late Glacial, and allow refining the Quaternary geological map of the area. Anthropogenic activity on this sediment is supported by a cart mark observed in the upper part of the sediments and post-sedimentary reworking of the top of the “Hoogpoort” sequence. This confirms that Pleistocene aeolian formed elevations were present and at least as relevant to Ghent city’s settlement history as a local Tertiary outlier (the “Blandijnberg”) and the regional riverine environment.

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Published

2023-07-27

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Articles