The pre-eminent sign of Gingelom's Gallo-Roman past are the tumuli.
Gingelom has the largest concentration of Gallo-Roman burial mounds in Flanders: 6 burial mounds in a radius of barely 1.5 km. Moreover, the Avernassetom with its height of 7.8 m and a diameter of 23 m is one of the most impressive tumuli in Haspengouw.
These burial mounds date from the 2nd century AD.
The purpose of this burial, in addition to the rituals for a good transition and the objects for the life after, was that the tom would withstand the test of time and serve as a memory for an eternity. Since these tombs are already 1800 years old, this has been quite successful so far.
Around 1860 the tumuli were excavated by an amateur archaeologist.
He was clearly not the 1st, because the Avernassetom and the Twee Tommen were completely robbed.
He had better luck in the middle burial mound of the Three Tommen. He discovered no fewer than 42 objects. These are now on display in the Royal Museum of Art and History in the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels.
Among other things, bowls and dishes for body care were found, so that this grave probably belonged to a woman.
A beautiful purple colored glass grape vase was also excavated. Grapes were the symbol of Bacchus, the god of wine. A replica of this vase of grapes on a foot is for sale in the town hall.
In collaboration with the Gallo-Roman museum and Hoeve Jadoul you can book a visit to the tumuli with a covered wagon, where a guide will give you more information. A combination visit with the Gallo-Roman Museum or with the fruit company Hoeve Jadoul is also possible.
The covered wagon is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
For more information or to record this visit, please contact Hoeve Jadoul (info@hoevejadoul.be or 0477 86 70 04)
The Gallo-Roman tumili in Haspengouw are called 'Tommen' in this region, here
the Avernassetom (from the village of Cras-Avernasse).
Wealthy and less wealthy Roman-minded citizens had villas built here according to Roman plans to 'belong'. Doing Roman was 'chic' at that time. This also included the piles of soil on their grave next to the villa. The finds that were made were therefore not treasures. More like utensils.
Translated by Google •
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