Nieuw-Roeselare: landscape archaeological and historical geographical research on deserted medieval settlements in the borderlands of Flanders and Zealand

This paper offers an introduction to the renewed landscape archaeological and historical geographical research on the lost village of Nieuw-Roeselare. Despite being the first site to be studied as a Deserted Medieval Settlement in modern-day Flanders, little is known about the village and its relation to the surrounding landscape. Nieuw-Roeselare is presented as a case study on lost and deserted medieval settlements in the context of the research history on the topic in both Flanders and Zealand. Past historical geographical and archaeological research at the site is described and the ongoing and future research is presented along with its potential for landscape studies and planning. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: The identification and mapping of lost medieval settlements allows to contribute to the preservation and conservation management of known sites. Insight in the structure and remnants of lost medieval settlements offers opportunities for the incorporation of historic landscape elements in future landscape planning. Reconsidering known sites with innovative techniques and methodologies contributes to the further understanding of historic settlement landscapes.