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A ''terp'', also known as a ''wierde, woerd, warf, warft, werf, werve, wurt'' or ''værft'', is an artificial dwelling
mound A mound is a heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. Most commonly, mounds are earthen formations such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. A mound may be any rounded area of topographically higher ...
found on the
North European Plain The North European Plain (german: Norddeutsches Tiefland – North German Plain; ; pl, Nizina Środkowoeuropejska – Central European Plain; da, Nordeuropæiske Lavland and nl, Noord-Europese Laagvlakte ; French : ''Plaine d'Europe du Nord ...
that has been created to provide safe ground during storm surges,
high tide Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon (and to a much lesser extent, the Sun) and are also caused by the Earth and Moon orbiting one another. Tide tables c ...
s and sea or river
flood A flood is an overflow of water ( or rarely other fluids) that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. Floods are an area of study of the discipline hydrol ...
ing. The various terms used reflect the regional dialects of the North European region. In English sources, ''terp'' appears to be by far the most common term used. These mounds occur in the coastal parts of the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
(in the provinces of
Zeeland , nl, Ik worstel en kom boven("I struggle and emerge") , anthem = "Zeeuws volkslied"("Zeelandic Anthem") , image_map = Zeeland in the Netherlands.svg , map_alt = , m ...
,
Friesland Friesland (, ; official fry, Fryslân ), historically and traditionally known as Frisia, is a province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen, northwest of Drenthe and Overijssel, north of ...
and Groningen), in southern parts of
Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...
and in the north-western parts of
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
where, before dykes were made, floodwater interfered with daily life. These can be found especially in the region Ostfriesland and Kreis Nordfriesland in Germany. In Kreis Nordfriesland on the
Halligen The ''Halligen'' (German, singular ''Hallig'', ) or the ''halliger'' (Danish, singular ''hallig'') are small islands without protective dikes. They are variously pluralized in English as the Halligen, Halligs, Hallig islands, or Halligen islands. ...
, people still live on terps unprotected by dykes. Terps also occur in the
Rhine ), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland , source1_coordinates= , source1_elevation = , source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein , source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland , source2_coordinates= , so ...
and
Meuse river The Meuse ( , , , ; wa, Moûze ) or Maas ( , ; li, Maos or ) is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a ...
plains in the central part of the Netherlands. Furthermore, terps can be found more to the south in the province North Holland, like Avendorp near the town of
Schagen Schagen () is a city and municipality in the northwestern Netherlands. It is located between Alkmaar and Den Helder, in the region of West Friesland and the province of North Holland. It received city rights in 1415. In 2013, Schagen merged wit ...
, and in the towns of
Bredene Bredene (; vls, Brèinienge) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality only comprises the town of Bredene proper. On 1 January 2006, Bredene had a total population of 15,118. The total area is 13.08  ...
en
Leffinge Leffinge, sometimes Leffingen in English, is a historic village in Belgium, now part of the municipality of Middelkerke, province of West Flanders. History In 1137 the castellan of Saint-Omer confirmed the gift of the church in Leffinge to the ...
near Oostende in
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
. Other terps can be found at the mouth of the river IJssel like the one at the hamlet Kampereiland, the province Overijssel and on the former Island of
Schokland Schokland () is a former island in the Dutch Zuiderzee, in the municipality of Noordoostpolder. Schokland was an elongated strip of peat land which ceased to be an island when the Noordoostpolder was reclaimed from the sea in 1942. It is now just ...
in the former
Zuiderzee The Zuiderzee or Zuider Zee (; old spelling ''Zuyderzee'' or ''Zuyder Zee'') was a shallow bay of the North Sea in the northwest of the Netherlands, extending about 100 km (60 miles) inland and at most 50 km (30 miles) wide, with an o ...
, today the reclaimed land Noordoostpolder. Even underneath the town of Den Helder in the north of the province North Holland lies an old terp, named Het Torp.


''Terpen'' in the province of Friesland

In the Dutch province of Friesland, an artificial dwelling hill is called ''terp'' (plural ''terpen''). ''Terp'' means "village" in
Old Frisian Old Frisian was a West Germanic language spoken between the 8th and 16th centuries along the North Sea coast, roughly between the mouths of the Rhine and Weser rivers. The Frisian settlers on the coast of South Jutland (today's Northern Fri ...
and is cognate with English thorp, Danish ''torp'', German ''Dorf'', modern West Frisian ''doarp'' and
Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...
''dorp''. Historical Frisian settlements were built on artificial ''terpen'' up to high to be safe from the floods in periods of
rising sea levels Rising may refer to: * Rising, a stage in baking - see Proofing (baking technique) *Elevation * Short for Uprising, a rebellion Film and TV * "Rising" (''Stargate Atlantis''), the series premiere of the science fiction television program ''Starga ...
. The first ''terp''-building period dates to 500 BC, the second from 200 BC to 50 BC. In the mid-3rd century, the rise of
sea level Mean sea level (MSL, often shortened to sea level) is an average surface level of one or more among Earth's coastal bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured. The global MSL is a type of vertical datuma standardised g ...
was so dramatic that the clay district was deserted, and settlers returned only around AD 400. A third ''terp''-building period dates from AD 700 (
Old Frisian Old Frisian was a West Germanic language spoken between the 8th and 16th centuries along the North Sea coast, roughly between the mouths of the Rhine and Weser rivers. The Frisian settlers on the coast of South Jutland (today's Northern Fri ...
times). This ended with the coming of the
dike Dyke (UK) or dike (US) may refer to: General uses * Dyke (slang), a slang word meaning "lesbian" * Dike (geology), a subvertical sheet-like intrusion of magma or sediment * Dike (mythology), ''Dikē'', the Greek goddess of moral justice * Dikes ...
somewhere around 1200. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many ''terps'' were destroyed to use the fertile soil they contained to fertilize farm fields. ''Terpen'' were usually well fertilized by the decay of the rubbish and personal waste deposited by their inhabitants over centuries.


''Wierden'' in the province of Groningen

In the Dutch province of Groningen an artificial dwelling mound is called a ''wierde'' (plural ''wierden''). As in Friesland, the first ''wierde'' was built around 500 BC or maybe earlier.


List of artificial dwelling mounds

Place names in the Frisian coastal region ending in ''-werd'', ''-ward'', ''-uert'' etc. refer to the fact that the village was built on an artificial dwelling mound (''wierde''). The greater part of the ''terp'' villages, though, have names ending in ''-um'', from ''-heem'' or ''-hiem'', meaning (farm)yard, grounds. There are a few village names in Friesland ending with ''-terp'' (e.g. Ureterp), referring not to a dwelling mound but merely to the Old Frisian word for village. The first element of the
toponyms Toponymy, toponymics, or toponomastics is the study of '' toponyms'' (proper names of places, also known as place names and geographic names), including their origins, meanings, usage and types. Toponym is the general term for a proper name of ...
is quite often a person's name or is simply describing the environmental features of the settlement (e.g. Rasquert (prov. Groningen) Riazuurđ: ''wierde'' with reed, where reed grows). Some 1,200 ''terpen'' are recorded in Groningen and Friesland alone. They range from abandoned settlements to mounds with only one or a few farmhouses, to larger villages and old towns. A few of them are listed below.


Friesland

* Aalsum () *
Bolsward Bolsward (, West Frisian: ''Boalsert'') is a city in Súdwest-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. Bolsward has a population of just under 10,200. It is located 10 km W.N.W. of Sneek. History The town is founded on thr ...
(''Boalsert'') *
Britsum The village of Britsum is located in the municipality of Leeuwarden (province of Friesland), in the Netherlands. Britsum was built on an artificial bank ('' terp'') running along the eastern side of the former '' Middelzee''. The church, built arou ...
*
Cornwerd Cornwerd ( fry, Koarnwert) is a small village in Súdwest-Fryslân municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 85 in January 2017. Cornwerd is home to the De Cornwerdermolen. History The village was ...
(''Koarnwert'') *
Dokkum Dokkum is a Dutch fortified city in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland. It has 12,669 inhabitants (February 8, 2020). The fortifications of Dokkum are well preserved and are known as the ''bolwerken'' (bulwarks). ...
* Ee *
Ferwert Ferwert ( nl, Ferwerd) is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 1787 in January 2017. Before 2019, the village was part of the Ferwerderadiel municipality. History The villag ...
*
Ginnum Ginnum ( nl, Genum) is a small village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name ...
* Hegebeintum * Hitzum * Jannum *
Jouswier Jouswier is a small village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of ...
*
Leeuwarden Leeuwarden (; fy, Ljouwert, longname=yes /; Town Frisian: ''Liwwadden''; Leeuwarder dialect: ''Leewarden'') is a city and municipality in Friesland, Netherlands, with a population of 123,107 (2019). It is the provincial capital and seat of the ...
(''Ljouwert'') *
Metslawier Metslawier ( fry, Mitselwier) is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 908 in January 2017. Before 2019, the village was part of the Dongeradeel municipality. The De Ropta win ...
*
Wijnaldum Wijnaldum (; fry, Winaam) is a village in northwest Friesland, the Netherlands. The village lies within the municipality of Harlingen, however, prior to 1984, it was a part of the municipality of Barradeel. The village center has approximately 1 ...


Groningen

*
Adorp Adorp () is a village in the municipality of Het Hogeland, Netherlands. It is located about 6 km north of Groningen Groningen (; gos, Grunn or ) is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen (province), Groningen province in the ...
* Bedum *
Bierum Bierum () is a village in the Netherlands, Dutch province of Groningen (province), Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Eemsdelta, and lies about 27 km northeast of Groningen (city), Groningen. Bierum was a separate municipality unt ...
*
Ezinge Ezinge (Gronings: ''Aisen'' or ''Aizing'') is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Westerkwartier, about 15 km northwest of the city of Groningen. Ezinge is the oldest, constantly inhabited vil ...
* Feerwerd *
Garnwerd Garnwerd is a wierde village next to the Reitdiep in the municipality of Westerkwartier in the Dutch province of Groningen. History The village was first mentioned in the 10th or 11th century as "ad Granauurð". The etymology is unclear. Gar ...
*
Godlinze Godlinze (; Gronings: ''Glìns'') is a village in the Netherlands, Dutch province of Groningen (province), Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Eemsdelta, and is located about 24 km northeast of Groningen (city), Groningen. Histor ...
*
Holwierde Holwierde (; Gronings: ''Holwier'') is a village in the municipality of Eemsdelta in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It lies about 26 km northeast of the city of Groningen. History The village was first mentioned in 1247 as " ...
*
Leens Leens is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Het Hogeland. Leens was a separate municipality until 1990, when it was merged with Ulrum, Eenrum and Kloosterburen. Brief history Leens is located on ...
*
Middelstum Middelstum () is a village with a population of 2,419 in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Eemsdelta. Middelstum was a separate municipality until 1990, when it was merged with Loppersum. Histor ...
*
Niehove Niehove (old name: ''Suxwort'') is a village in the municipality of Westerkwartier in Groningen, Netherlands. The village was located on the island of in the former Lauwerszee from 800 until 1500. It is a '' terp'' (artificial living hill) vill ...
* Rottum * Saaksum * Spijk * Stitswerd *
Ulrum Ulrum () is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Het Hogeland. History The first time the town was named was as ''Uluringhem'' in the 11th century. Ulrum is sited on two mounds. On the western one st ...
*
Usquert Usquert is a village in the Netherlands, Dutch province of Groningen (province), Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Het Hogeland. It had a population of around 1,415 in January 2017. History Usquert was a separate municipality until 1 ...
* Wirdum


Northern Germany

*
Loquard Loquard is an old village, now part of Krummhörn in Ostfriesland in the modern nation-state of Germany. It is part of the Aurich rural governmental district of the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen Lower Saxony (german: Niedersachsen ; nd ...
( East Frisia) *
Rysum Rysum is a village located 15 kilometers west of Emden in the region of East Frisia, Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe a ...
(East Frisia) *Eckwarden (
Butjadingen Butjadingen is a peninsula and municipality in the Wesermarsch district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Geography Butjadingen is situated on the German North Sea coast. It is bordered on the west and southwest by the Jade River and the east by the ...
) *Itzwärden (
Land Wursten Land Wursten is a former ''Samtgemeinde'' ("collective municipality") in the district of Cuxhaven, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was situated approximately southwest of Cuxhaven, and north of Bremerhaven. Its seat was in the village Dorum. It wa ...
)


See also

*
Platform mound Platform may refer to: Technology * Computing platform, a framework on which applications may be run * Platform game, a genre of video games * Car platform, a set of components shared by several vehicle models * Weapons platform, a system or ...
*
Tell (archaeology) In archaeology, a tell or tel (borrowed into English from ar, تَلّ, ', 'mound' or 'small hill'), is an artificial topographical feature, a species of mound consisting of the accumulated and stratified debris of a succession of consecutive set ...
*
Crannog A crannog (; ga, crannóg ; gd, crannag ) is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes and estuarine waters of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Unlike the prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps, which were bu ...


Literature

* * Moritz Heyne (1899): ''Das deutsche Wohnungswesen. Von den ältesten geschichtlichen Zeiten bis zum 16. Jahrhundert'', Bremen 2012.


External links

{{Wiktionary
Warften/Wurten
(page of the Society for Schleswig-Holstein History)

(private site)
Historical site of Wüppel in the Wangerland


(private site)
Manual making a Terp in 12 Steps (post of the Frisia Coast Trail)Vereniging voor terpenonderzoek
(Foundation for terp research, the Netherlands) * Indigenous architecture Coastal construction Artificial hills + Hills