Archaeological leather finds in Maastricht

During the past fifteen years, finds of leather, mostly footwear, have repeatedly been made in archaeological excavations in Maastricht.
Particularly rare finds include leather sheaths and pails.
A single locality at the Houtmaas has yielded leather objects dating from the Roman period.
Finds of leather in excavations in the Catharinastraat (1979), the Boschstraatkwartier (1981-1985), underneath Maison Louis (1982), underneath Hotel Derlon (1984), in the Lantaarnstraat (1987), at St Servaas church (1985-1989), at the Rijksarchief (1990), at the Hoge Weerd (1992), in the Wolfstraat (1992), in the Stadspark (1995) and in the Bassin (1996) date mainly from middle and late mediaeval times.(See map below).

Leather finds on exhibit in the former 'looierskwartier' (='tanners' quarter)

All leather remains excavated by the archaeology section of Maastricht municipality have since 1990 been described, treated and, whenever possible, restored by L. Emmen. In view of the cultural-historical orientation and the location of the Natuurhistorisch Museum in the Jekerkwartier (= the mediaeval Maastricht tanner's quarter) this is the right spot for an archaeological-historical exhibition illustrating the local treatment of hides for the production of leather objects.

 

1 Houtmaas ( 2nd century)
2 St.Servaaskerk (10-11th century)
3 de Limburger (12-13th century)
4 Rijksarchief (14th century)
5 Catharinastraat (14-15th century)
6 Boschstraatkwartier (15-16th century)
7 Maison Louis (15-16th century)
8 Lantaarnstraat (16th century)
9 Hotel Derlon (16th century)
10 Hoge Weerd (16-17th century)
11 Stadspark (17th century)
12 Bassin (18-19th century)