Editing Maasmechelen (section)

===Prehistoric and Roman times===
The [[plateau]] of [[Campine]] was built up during the [[ice age]] with deposits of sand and other material that the Meuse river had eroded in the upstream [[Ardennes]] region.  The higher elevation and the proximity of fertile river clay made this location an attractive one for the prehistoric tribes who established themselves here in the [[2nd millennium BC]] and for the [[Celt]]ic peoples who moved in the area in the 1st millennium BC.

In [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, this region was at the border between the provinces of [[Gallia Belgica]] and [[Germania Inferior]].  The main Roman road crossed the river near [[Maastricht]], to the south.  Settlements were built where Maasmechelen lies today to service the garrison that was maintained to protect the bridge in Maastricht.