Sandbanks of East and South Netherlands

The blown sand areas were formed when there was little or no vegetation during the last ice age to protect the frozen ground from the harsh wind. On one hand, entire pits were sometimes blown out, which are now known as blow-out hollows or blow-out holes. On the other hand, the sand and clay were blown up and deposited as thick layers of sand, creating rolling landscapes over large parts of eastern and southern Netherlands. After the last ice age, the first farmers found this type of land easy to cultivate, and it was used early on for agriculture. To make the sandy soil a bit more fertile, the technique of potstalk cultivation was used. Manure was collected in stables and mixed with sand and straw, which was spread over the fields around the settlements.

Dromos