Underground remains of Ter Doest abbey appear to be well preserved

Today, only the large barn of the medieval Ter Doest abbey remains. The farm and chapel at the entrance to the heritage site date from the 17th century. It was suspected that many archaeological remains could still be found underground. That is why Ghent University conducted a study in the autumn of 2021 via geophysical soil scans. With soil sensors, researchers scanned the meadows east of the abbey barn.

New opportunities for further research

The research shows that just below the surface the complete floor plan of the abbey can be read. This may indicate the presence of wall remnants, foundations and floors. The plan shows indications for the possible abbey church, the cloister, a sacristy building and chapter house. It is striking that the spores are present just below the surface, from a depth of 15 centimeters.

Magnetic measurements indicate that the archaeological traces may have been very well preserved. The found remains are therefore historically, archaeologically and scientifically important. “The results open up a lot of new opportunities for further research,” it sounds.

The intention is to release more details about the results of the research on Heritage Day in September and to make them accessible to the general public through various activities.