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These mounds were built as protection against the water of the sea which, in those days, rose in winter. In time these
mounds became higher and higher. The height grew up to 12 feet in the 2nd century. Also offal and clay were used. The
larger the mounds became, the more farmhouses were built on them and on many also a church. In the 13th century their
height could even be as much as 18 feet. It is in one of those villages where I live. The village is called Wetsens
and is situated in Friesland, or Fryslân [freeslon] as the frisians say. It is a province of the Netherlands. In
Wetsens are 13 houses or farmhouses situated in a semi circle around the 12th century church.
In 1896 the mound was dug off as the soil proved to be very fertile and therefore desirable. It was sold to people in
other parts of the country where there was a need for it. Thus people, poor as they were in those days, could make a living.
Nowadays, al that remains is the part around the church and the height of the mound is about 18 feet. The mound of
Wetsens is the largest and the mound of Hegebeintum is the highest. When digging off the mound, it was necessary that
several houses were demolished among which were the almshouses and the schoolhouse. Considering the find of combs made
out of bone and the fact that around a mound there was always cattle present, it seems very likely that there has been here
a comb-industry for a long period of time.
Out of the 45 very special species, two date from the first two centuries of our era, and eleven from the time between 400
AD and 700 AD. The blades between which the teeth of the comb were clasped, were made of horn of deer, probably coming from
the Dokkum woods nearby where many red deer were to be found.
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