Archaeological excavations in the Belgian city of Nieuwpoort have uncovered a hoard of dozens of medieval cannonballs, alongside structural remains and other artefacts that shed new light on the city’s past. The discoveries were made during investigations ahead of the construction of a new Administrative Centre, offering a rare glimpse into Nieuwpoort’s role as a fortified medieval settlement.
Excavations began in mid-February 2026 on a site located between the Stadshalle and Willem De Roolaan, an area close to Nieuwpoort’s historic centre. The work follows earlier test trench investigations that indicated significant archaeological potential.
Photo courtesy City of Nieuwpoort
Researchers have identified several soil traces dating to the Middle Ages, along with walls and floor levels that point to previously unknown structures. The site lies close to where Nieuwpoort’s city hall and belfry have stood since the thirteenth century, making the finds particularly significant for understanding the development of the medieval town.
While it is still too early to determine the exact function of these structures, archaeologists expect that further analysis and dating will clarify how they relate to the surrounding urban landscape.
A hoard of cannonballs
Photo courtesy City of Nieuwpoort
The most striking discovery is a concentration of natural stone cannonballs—numbering in the dozens—buried together on the site. These projectiles were commonly used between about 1350 and 1600, a period when gunpowder weapons were becoming increasingly important in European warfare.
The cannonballs appear to have been carefully made, with a high degree of standardization and finish, suggesting they were intended for early firearms. At the same time, the variation in their sizes indicates a diverse arsenal, possibly reflecting different types of weapons in use.
Archaeologists are still working to determine why the cannonballs were deposited at this location. One possibility is that they are linked to Nieuwpoort’s medieval defences. The excavation site lies near the line of the former southern city wall, and a seventeenth-century map depicts a cannon positioned in this area.
A city shaped by warfare
Photo courtesy City of Nieuwpoort
In addition to medieval remains, the excavations also uncovered material from much later periods. Among the finds was an unexploded shell from the First World War, highlighting Nieuwpoort’s continued strategic importance into the modern era.
Alderman for Heritage Ann Gheeraert emphasized the significance of the discoveries: “What we are finding here exceeds our expectations: from medieval building structures and an exceptional cannonball hoard to military relics pointing to our past as a front-line city. These excavations confirm that every construction phase in Nieuwpoort is also a journey of discovery into our own history, a past that is far from having revealed all its secrets.”
Nieuwpoort was heavily affected during the First World War, when much of the city was destroyed. The newly discovered shell serves as a reminder of that devastation, adding another historical layer to a site already rich in medieval remains.
“What has been uncovered here over the past few weeks proves that Nieuwpoort is a city where history is literally everywhere,” says Mayor Kris Vandecasteele. “Even just a few meters beneath our feet. For centuries, this site was situated in a strategic location near the city wall and the Town Hall and clearly played a role in the well-being and protection of our residents. It is particularly symbolic that we are giving the go-ahead for the construction of our new Administrative Centre on this historic ground this year. In doing so, we connect Nieuwpoort’s rich past with future-oriented services for our residents.”
Archaeological excavations in the Belgian city of Nieuwpoort have uncovered a hoard of dozens of medieval cannonballs, alongside structural remains and other artefacts that shed new light on the city’s past. The discoveries were made during investigations ahead of the construction of a new Administrative Centre, offering a rare glimpse into Nieuwpoort’s role as a fortified medieval settlement.
Excavations began in mid-February 2026 on a site located between the Stadshalle and Willem De Roolaan, an area close to Nieuwpoort’s historic centre. The work follows earlier test trench investigations that indicated significant archaeological potential.
Researchers have identified several soil traces dating to the Middle Ages, along with walls and floor levels that point to previously unknown structures. The site lies close to where Nieuwpoort’s city hall and belfry have stood since the thirteenth century, making the finds particularly significant for understanding the development of the medieval town.
While it is still too early to determine the exact function of these structures, archaeologists expect that further analysis and dating will clarify how they relate to the surrounding urban landscape.
A hoard of cannonballs
The most striking discovery is a concentration of natural stone cannonballs—numbering in the dozens—buried together on the site. These projectiles were commonly used between about 1350 and 1600, a period when gunpowder weapons were becoming increasingly important in European warfare.
The cannonballs appear to have been carefully made, with a high degree of standardization and finish, suggesting they were intended for early firearms. At the same time, the variation in their sizes indicates a diverse arsenal, possibly reflecting different types of weapons in use.
Archaeologists are still working to determine why the cannonballs were deposited at this location. One possibility is that they are linked to Nieuwpoort’s medieval defences. The excavation site lies near the line of the former southern city wall, and a seventeenth-century map depicts a cannon positioned in this area.
A city shaped by warfare
In addition to medieval remains, the excavations also uncovered material from much later periods. Among the finds was an unexploded shell from the First World War, highlighting Nieuwpoort’s continued strategic importance into the modern era.
Alderman for Heritage Ann Gheeraert emphasized the significance of the discoveries: “What we are finding here exceeds our expectations: from medieval building structures and an exceptional cannonball hoard to military relics pointing to our past as a front-line city. These excavations confirm that every construction phase in Nieuwpoort is also a journey of discovery into our own history, a past that is far from having revealed all its secrets.”
Nieuwpoort was heavily affected during the First World War, when much of the city was destroyed. The newly discovered shell serves as a reminder of that devastation, adding another historical layer to a site already rich in medieval remains.
“What has been uncovered here over the past few weeks proves that Nieuwpoort is a city where history is literally everywhere,” says Mayor Kris Vandecasteele. “Even just a few meters beneath our feet. For centuries, this site was situated in a strategic location near the city wall and the Town Hall and clearly played a role in the well-being and protection of our residents. It is particularly symbolic that we are giving the go-ahead for the construction of our new Administrative Centre on this historic ground this year. In doing so, we connect Nieuwpoort’s rich past with future-oriented services for our residents.”
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts