Archaeological research at the Biotech Campus Delft - Will the soil reveal its secrets?

There has been no trace of castle Altena for centuries. The castle stood on the site where the Biotech Campus Delft is now located. Is it possible to find some heritage underground? Archaeological research will reveal all. Initial activities will begin soon. “We’re eager to find out what we’ll discover,” says Martijn Schmidt, project manager at the Biotech Campus Delft.

In the Middle Ages, Altena castle was a moated, presumably wooden, residence. In the fifteenth century, it developed into a rectangular stone house, with a tower extension and a 12-meter-wide canal. In the sixteenth century the castle was extended and probably walled, but was later rendered unusable once again. It was subsequently restored in the seventeenth century, but the curtain finally fell in the eighteenth century. Martijn Schmidt: “For Delft, it is an important archaeological site and so it is important to perform an archaeological investigation before we develop the area.”

Walls and moat
Hasn't there been previous research? Martijn Schmidt: “Of course. The inner court of the castle has already been examined. What has been found here is now managed by Erfgoed Delft, the municipal service that is committed to managing and preserving heritage. The walls and the moat, however, have not yet been investigated. Because there are plans in place to develop this area, we also want to investigate these parts. This will take place in close cooperation with Erfgoed Delft. The organization has mapped out in detail which parts have not yet been excavated. In the first quarter of 2025, an archaeological agency will determine the exact location of the castle by way of ‘trial trenches’.”

Final piece of the puzzle
Specifically, this concerns the area between the new head office of dsm‑firmenich Taste, Texture & Health and the entrance at the Prinses Beatrixlaan. Schmidt: “Here we want to create a new office and laboratory building in a few years’ time. Of course, this will only be possible if we know what might be hidden in the soil. After the archaeologists have determined the exact location, they will – in all likelihood – excavate that site in the second half of 2025. We are very curious about what is in the ground and what condition the walls are in.” It’s yet to be seen whether much will be found. Schmidt: “But in any case, it’s good that we can also put the final pieces of the puzzle in place, in harmony with Erfgoed Delft; this is a great opportunity for Delft to learn more about its history!”

photo: area designation archaeological research