In the middle of the Antonius Abtkerk in Volkel there are mountains of sand and a huge pit has been dug. It looks like a huge sandbox of a primary school. But something much more serious is happening here. Here are 19 skeletons from the 18th century. These are now being excavated for research.
“Here are the grandfathers and grandmothers of the current grandparents of Volkel,” says archaeologist Siemen Geerts. The Antonius Abtkerk is being converted into a health center. At the location where a lift will be built in the future, old graves were discovered through a scan. But what exactly would be there? Archaeologists were eager to get to work: “It’s fun but also a real challenge. It’s quite a puzzle.”
The bones are estimated to date from the 18th century. The church itself dates from 1939: “This was the old cemetery of Volkel,” concludes archaeologist Geerts. “This church was later built on the cemetery. The 19 graves contain the deceased of all ages, from babies to the elderly. Coffin decorations, rosaries and buttons have also been found around the coffins.”
It is not yet clear when the investigation will be completed. The municipality ultimately decides what happens to the finds.