THE NEANDERTHAL SITES AT VELDWEZELT-HEZERWATER
A Listed Archaeological Monument
Friday, December 07, 2007, Minister Dirk Van Mechelen has officially signed the decision to place the Neanderthal sites at Veldwezelt-Hezerwater on the list of Flemish archaeological monuments.
The Veldwezelt-Hezerwater site is the third listed archaeological monument in Flanders (after Chartreuze, West-Vlaanderen & Maldegem, Oost-Vlaanderen). However, Veldwezelt-Hezerwater is the first listed Middle Palaeolithic site in Flanders and the first listed archaeological site in the Province of Limburg.
"Listing" is shorthand for the process through which nationally important archaeological sites and monuments are given legal protection by being placed on a special "list". Archaeological sites are placed on this list by the Flemish Minister for Town and Country Planning.
"Listing" is applied only to archaeological sites of national importance, and even then only if it is the best means of protection.