Remains of army camp and fort from the Eighty Years' War found near Zutphen

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved military camp and fortification from the Eighty Years’ War in the De Hoven Noord district of Zutphen, the municipality announced Friday. The structures are believed to date back to 1584, when parts of the Netherlands were under Spanish control, NU.nl reported.

The discovery was made during a preliminary archaeological investigation ahead of planned construction in the area on the outskirts of Zutphen. Both the earthen fortification—referred to as a schans—and the adjacent army camp are believed to have been built by the Staatse leger, the army of the United Provinces, in May 1584.

A schans typically consists of raised earthworks surrounded by a moat. According to the municipality, the fortification was constructed during a campaign by Dutch rebel forces who later formed the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

The military camp, located directly south of the fortification, is believed to have been set up in the same year. Archaeologists say it is highly unusual to find remnants of such a camp so intact, as most evidence of tent-based encampments does not survive in the soil.

Excavation teams have recovered various military and domestic artifacts from the site. These include musket balls and a powder measure used with a musket, as well as items that provide insight into daily life in the camp, such as butchered animal bones, iron knives, ceramic cooking pots, stoneware drinking jugs, and coins dated between 1574 and 1579. Among the most notable discoveries are a slate sundial and two ivory lice combs, which archaeologists describe as rare finds.

Further excavation is scheduled to continue in September. Parts of the schans lie in areas that are not earmarked for development, meaning that sections of the fortification can likely remain preserved underground.

The Eighty Years’ War, also known as the Dutch Revolt, lasted from 1568 to 1648 and marked the Netherlands’ struggle for independence from Spanish rule. Zutphen, located in the province of Gelderland, frequently changed hands during the conflict between Spanish and Staatse forces, particularly between 1572 and 1591. Though referred to as an eighty-year war, the conflict included a twelve-year truce between 1609 and 1621.