This study investigates the task of the Museum of Antiquities in the nineteenth century. The aim of this research was to see if the Netherlands would fit into the international museological...Show moreThis study investigates the task of the Museum of Antiquities in the nineteenth century. The aim of this research was to see if the Netherlands would fit into the international museological developments as presented by Tony Bennett in his book The Birth of the Museum. Several publications have been reviewed on this subject in order to explore how this relatively new branch within the museum studies is researched. A theoretical framework has been outlined with two main theorists on which this historical visitor-research usually rests: Michel Foucault’s work on power relations and Pierre Bourdieu’s work on class distinction. The work of Eric Hobsbawm on nationalism and nation-states has been added as a third main theoretical thread. The empirical research has been carried out on several different types of archival documents of the Museum of Antiquities to answer the main research question. This is embedded in a short history of the Museum of Antiquities. As a comparison a short history is added of the British Museum and their interaction with the public. The outcome of this study indicates that the Dutch museological development in the nineteenth century was not the same as described by Bennett in his book. In order to account for this deviant outcome a chapter on the political and social situations of the Netherlands in general and of the city of Leiden in particular has been added.Show less
This Master thesis will investigate the 19th century restorations on red-figure South Italian vases from the National Museum of Antiquities (Leiden, The Netherlands). From a theoretical framework,...Show moreThis Master thesis will investigate the 19th century restorations on red-figure South Italian vases from the National Museum of Antiquities (Leiden, The Netherlands). From a theoretical framework, which considers restoration as being part of an object’s cultural biography, the restoration practices of vase restorers in the Neapolitan antiquities trade of the 19th century will be investigated. Although these restoration practices are still unexplored, recent investigations have led to promising results. Not only the broken parts of the vases seem to have been repaired and completed, also the paintings have been restored in some cases. The National Museum of Antiquities also has a broad collection of Greek pottery. Some of the South Italian vases owned by the museum have their history in the Neapolitan art market of the 19th century. Yet, little is known about the restorations executed on these vases. To know whether –and to what extent– the collection of red-figure South Italian pottery has been restored, ultraviolet fluorescence will be used. This non-destructive method will be applied to distinguish the ancient paint from the 19th century adjustments. This research will not only answer the aforementioned questions, but –together with comparable studies– also hopes to change the contemporary perception of ancient vase paintings.Show less
In this thesis I have investigated the possibility that the Athenians used their coins for propagandistic uses of their democratic system. I have researched several aspects of the Athenian coinage...Show moreIn this thesis I have investigated the possibility that the Athenians used their coins for propagandistic uses of their democratic system. I have researched several aspects of the Athenian coinage through different forms of study, such as the growth, spread, what was depicted and the minting regulations. After investigation an analysis was given by applying these outcomes in a propagandistic framework, to see if we can speak of coins as a tool for propaganda.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
In 'Mapping History' archaeological sites within a small region in the northwestern Dominican Republic are mapped, in order to distinguish patterns in site locations and to explore the social...Show moreIn 'Mapping History' archaeological sites within a small region in the northwestern Dominican Republic are mapped, in order to distinguish patterns in site locations and to explore the social landscape in the past. The landscape in the research area consists of beaches, swamps, mangroves, valleys, and hills up to 300 metres in height. It is known from research by Jorge Ulloa Hung, an archaeologist currently writing his dissertation on ceramics in the area, that there were different ceramic styles present contemporaneously in the north of the Dominican Republic. While Ulloa Hung focuses on the ceramics from the sites in the area, in this research the surrounding area (circa 80 km²) is mapped to provide a context for Ulloa Hung’s research. In this thesis the study on the social landscape is the central focus. Observations and results of the fieldwork conducted in the area were used for this study, and recorded into a map-related database or Geographical Information System (GIS). The relation between site locations and surroundings were analysed with the use of the created GIS. The focus of the analyses is mainly on differences between sites with Meillacoid style ceramics and sites with Chicoid style ceramics. The goal was to bring forth different patterns in the site locations of Meillacoid and Chicoid sites. The diverse landscape in the area combined with the diverse cultural landscape makes this area very suitable for such analyses. Although there are similarities between several aspects of the sites, the area also differences. Meillacoid sites tend to be located closer to the coast, while Chicoid sites are located further inland. Furthermore, Meillacoid sites have a better visibility range, and are therefore better visible themselves. There are evidently different patterns of site locations of both kinds of sites in the area, but there is one common denominator: diversity.Show less
This BA-thesis focuses on the different musical instruments and their function in precolonial Aztec times compared to that of the contemporary “Neo Aztecs” in Mexico City, Mexico. It also compares...Show moreThis BA-thesis focuses on the different musical instruments and their function in precolonial Aztec times compared to that of the contemporary “Neo Aztecs” in Mexico City, Mexico. It also compares the function, context and ideology of Aztec music with that of the Neo Aztecs. The Neo Aztecs mentioned in this thesis are a group of people that perform music/dance rituals in the center of Mexico City. According to Alonso and Isleta, who where both interviewed for this research, they perform this ritual with the aim of maintaining or reviving their cultural history. In doing this they say to make use of precolonial oral traditions which survived the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica. Also it is plausible that the Neo Aztecs make use of academic (archaeological) research and precolonial codices in creating their cultural identity. Comparing this with (ethno)archaeological data concerning the Aztecs gives us an insight in how extensive and detailed their “created image” is. In this thesis their musical culture functions as guideline, because using that can, according to the research strategy used here, say a lot about the context, the function and the ideology of the Aztec and Neo Aztec culture. Some of the research results show, for instance, that the Neo Aztecs only use about five different musical instruments, while the precolonial Aztec musical culture knew more than fourty different types of instruments. Also the way in which they are used sometimes differs from the Aztec use. Therefore you could say that the identity of the Neo Aztecs and the story they try to tell isn’t fully based on precolonial traditions. However, they themselves emphasize that they feel a strong connection with the Aztecs and their cultural beliefs. One thing is certain: the context of the ritual has considerably changed during time. Commercial aspects, for example, play a big part in the Neo Aztec ritual nowadays. Also, due to a different context in society, didactic and spiritual aspects of the ritual have changed. However, whether Neo Aztecs have genetic connections with the original Aztecs or not, they do represent a cultural movement that brings an archaeological culture to attention.Show less
The relationship between archaeological heritage and the general public has been a recurrent theme in the archaeological discipline, were an increasing reliance on revenue streams in heritage...Show moreThe relationship between archaeological heritage and the general public has been a recurrent theme in the archaeological discipline, were an increasing reliance on revenue streams in heritage settings leaves archaeologists to wonder how to present archaeology in an accessible, visual, and imaginative manner to the public. The complexities of several visualisation media are discussed in a heritage setting: illustrations, scale models, theme parks and museums and digital media (3D models, serious gaming and Virtual Reality). It is found that the authenticity and interactivity are recurrent themes in archaeological visualisation. The first proves to be rather negotiable, and the latter has proven itself to be a powerful way to capture the attention of the audience. Finally, it is concluded that archaeology has a lot to gain from visualisation for the public, and although archaeologists and other heritage professionals focus mostly on 3D models and Virtual Reality, it would seem this is also true for the more traditional types of visualisation. This reminds us that all forms of visualisation are merely tools available to the archaeologist and heritage experts to select as needed and solve a particular heritage visualisation problem.Show less
During Late Antiquity a lot of changes took place in the organization and buildup of towns and cities. These changes comprise a number of things: an overall decline of construction (both in number...Show moreDuring Late Antiquity a lot of changes took place in the organization and buildup of towns and cities. These changes comprise a number of things: an overall decline of construction (both in number of buildings as well as overall quality), a retraction of the town to the acropolis or ‘upper town’ area, a decline in organization and planning of the town and an increase in reusing older materials. At Koroneia these changes take place as well, this is suggested by both the architectural finds and the analysis of the ceramic finds of the survey done at the site. The religious and public spaces on the acropolis are now joined and/or replaced by everyday life (domestic and industrial structures). Different construction methods are used during the Late Antique period, which can say something about the use and (social) value of the structure. The archaeological data for this thesis consist of several structural remains which are recorded both manually and digitally. The construction methods used allow for a general division of the walls and a probable distinction of outer and inner walls. Due to the layout, two different sets of spaces can be traced, which might suggest either two buildings, or two units within one building. However further research in the chronology of the walls and research with the help of techniques like GPR, will greatly enhance our ideas about the total layout and size of the structures and will allow us to make more detailed conclusions. For now it seems most likely that these architectural remains had a domestic function and comprises a single structure, although a division into smaller units cannot be ruled out at this point. The methods used for the data acquisition were not perfect, but done quite quickly. In order to enhance the amount, but more importantly the accuracy and usability of the data, a couple of suggestions are made. Namely, planning in advance what the data will be used for, taking the time to check the data before processing and make a clear organization of the tasks that are needed for the acquisition of the data.Show less
In the last fifty years the subject of Byzantium has received more attention by scholars. However one aspect of the Byzantine Empire has still been largely ignored: the lavish garments worn by both...Show moreIn the last fifty years the subject of Byzantium has received more attention by scholars. However one aspect of the Byzantine Empire has still been largely ignored: the lavish garments worn by both the emperor and his people. Dress can say much about a people: how were women seen, were they dressed similar to the men and did they have power? How was the imperial family dressed, and could an empresses power be visible from her garments? Was a sort of fashion already present at this early time or did clothing styles not change at all? And how were the children dressed? Were the imperial children dressed differently from the elite, and were the elite dressed like their parents? From images it is clear that both emperor and empress wore the same lavish garments that were exclusive to the imperial family and which carried great meaning. At least from the eighth to the eleventh century women dressed exactly like their husbands, even in the world of the elite. Variations did occur, just like garments that were only worn by women such as the veil. Only in the early and late Byzantine Empire differences in dress appeared between men and women, possible due to the pressure from barbarians invading the country. The men had to show a more military styled garb in these periods. Even though many fashion historians claim that fashion only started in the middle of the fourteenth century it is certain that some basic form of fashion was already in place in the middle Byzantine Empire. New styles of dress were often adopted from the outskirts of the Empire and these new fashions were later also seen in the center. In this way turbans and western styled dresses traveled from the Islamic world and the west through the borderlands towards the capital. From historical sources it is also known that people were obsessed with looking good and fashionable, the clearest indication one would wish for an early notion of fashion. Children of the imperial family were dressed exactly like their mother and father in the beautiful royal garments. Brothers to the heir were not discriminated (even though girls were sometimes omitted from family portraits). Clearly all of the imperial children were cherished, not only the heir. Girls were important tools in order to gain alliances with important families and were cherished. Elite children, like imperial children, were dressed like their parents, at least on official occasions and holidays. On not so formal occasions they were likely dressed in special garments for children which gave them more room to move and play. It is also possible that these garments were owned by the less fortunate who were not able to afford the expensive luxurious clothes of the most important families.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The majority of studies of the Greater Nicoya area of Pacific Nicaragua and Costa Rica have relied heavily upon the assumption that large-scale Mesoamerican migrations took place sometime in the...Show moreThe majority of studies of the Greater Nicoya area of Pacific Nicaragua and Costa Rica have relied heavily upon the assumption that large-scale Mesoamerican migrations took place sometime in the Postclassic period, resulting in the similarity between some styles of pottery and iconography between the two regions. Recently, studies have shown that there is little archaeological evidence to link the two areas, besides the ethnohistorical data and the appearance of the aforementioned iconography. This study examines one of those icons, the quintessentially Mesoamerican figure of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, in order to look for evidence that might support either side of the debate.Show less
Estimating the amount and duration of heat that bones have been exposed to is a difficult task, but can be an important question for both forensic and archaeological casework. Temperature related...Show moreEstimating the amount and duration of heat that bones have been exposed to is a difficult task, but can be an important question for both forensic and archaeological casework. Temperature related changes can be estimated by histology. For this method most researchers focus on the changes to the inorganic component of bone, because the organic component is often not as well preserved. However, it has proved difficult to estimate lower temperatures based on the inorganic component of bone. Therefore, the organic component of bone should be analysed to determine if it is possible to estimate temperatures below 400 °C. To answer the question if histological analysis of the organic component of bone can be used to estimates temperatures below 400°C, two hundred transverse sections of six dissection room cadavers, composed of both the radius and ulna, where heated to temperatures ranging from 100°C to 400°C at three different time intervals; ten, twenty, and thirty minutes. The transverse bone sections where then processed into histological slides for microscopic analysis. The results showed that both time and temperature are significant dependents for the alterations that bone undergoes when it is exposed to thermal stress. Interestingly, time seems to play a bigger role, than temperature, in alterations in the organic component by heat. By using histology to examine the organic component of bone it is possible to differentiate between temperatures ranging between 200°C and 400°C but it was difficult to distinguish between 200°C and 250°C after twenty minutes. The most discriminative feature is the birefringence of the collagen structures, which is greatly reduced when time is extended. By combing the histological view and the birefringence of the collagen structures it might be possible to estimate temperature and time in the range of 200°C to 400°C. Most important, by using this method it may be possible to exclude samples that, based on colour, have been suggested to be exposed to heat. This method can improve the toolbox of physical anthropologists by answering difficult questions in both archaeological and forensic cases.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
Deze scriptie exploreert de positionering van vier beeldend kunstenaars met een Turkse achtergrond, wonend en werken in Nederland, en hoe deze positionering eventueel tot uitdrukking komt in hun werk.
It is always difficult to interpret archaeological objects, especially when the original users do not longer exist. The Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden thought of a way to fill in the missing gaps of...Show moreIt is always difficult to interpret archaeological objects, especially when the original users do not longer exist. The Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden thought of a way to fill in the missing gaps of knowledge of their collection of Surinamese Indian objects. By inviting eight Indians from the four biggest Indian groups of Suriname (Wayana, Trio, Kari’na and Lokono), they hoped to find new insights in these objects. These consultations took place in 2009 and 2010. This thesis handles the musical instruments. It uses the ethnomusicological model that has been presented in Alan Merriam’s Anthropology of Music (1964) in order to examine the different aspects of the material culture, as well as the social functions of music. The model examines music on three different levels: cognition, behavior and musical sound. According to the model these three levels are connected and will have an influence on one another. If the musical sound changes, this will have an influence on the way people will react to the music. In that way their cognition will change. This change then has its influence on the way people behave when hearing the music. In the same way this new way of behaving will influence the way of music making by the musician. The research questions will systematically address different facets of this model in order to give an insight to the music and it’s function in four Amerindian societies.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
This thesis discusses the environmental changes in flora and fauna from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen 13 II, Germany. The data in this thesis consists of the ecological data from Schö 13...Show moreThis thesis discusses the environmental changes in flora and fauna from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen 13 II, Germany. The data in this thesis consists of the ecological data from Schö 13 II as well as faunal data from Middle Pleistocene archaeological sites and data from present day national parks in Europe. This data is used to get insight in species compositions in various types of environments. The archaeological data, comprising flora and fauna, are analysed as an entity to gain insight into the structure of the environmental changes at this site. The environment in Schöningen changed gradually in the four levels, Schö 13 II-1 to 13 II-4 from interglacial optimum to stadial phase with an onset to a glacial phase. The floral data gave detailed indications of fluctuations in the environment, whereas the faunal data showed a more gradual change in the environment. The elements in Schö 13 II-1 are indicative for an interglacial phase, 13 II-2 contains elements of both interglacial and (inter)stadial phases and levels 13 II-3 and 13 II-4 are indicative for stadial contexts. Characteristic for the patterns in species diversity is that it is variable throughout the levels. Schö 13 II-1 and 13 II-3 both show a relatively low diversity, whereas the diversity in 13 II-2 and 13 II-4 is higher, but still not exceptionally high if compared to other Middle Pleistocene sites. These differences in diversity can be explained by potential deformations by taphonomical processes. The non-analoguous patterns in large mammal compositions of the site can be explained in terms of species behaviour and taphonomical processes.Show less
The purpose of this research is to identify the threats to archaeological monuments on privately owned land in Ireland, i.e. why and how monuments are being damaged or destroyed, and to find...Show moreThe purpose of this research is to identify the threats to archaeological monuments on privately owned land in Ireland, i.e. why and how monuments are being damaged or destroyed, and to find solutions to this problem that will satisfy the needs of both archaeologists and landowners alike. The methods used to address these issues include a remote survey of archaeological monuments in a research area in Co. Clare, qualitative interviews with landowners, IFA representatives and an archaeologist and a review of similar surveys on the preservation of monuments in Ireland, England and Northern Ireland. The results of all of the methods used in this research identified earthwork monuments, and especially ringforts, as the monuments that have been damaged the most on privately owned land in Ireland. To effectively prevent future damage from being caused to monuments on privately owned land, several solutions will need to be implemented so that they can be made to work in cooperation with each other. Updating the information on the levels of preservation of all monuments and continued monitoring of monuments will give a clear picture of what the current situation is today and any changes to the situation in the future. The issue needs to be fully publicised using all media to reach a maximum number of people. Education initiatives also need to be fully publicised to reach a maximum number of landowners. Moreover, solutions need not only to encourage farmers to preserve archaeological monuments, but to also make it worth their while and to respect their position as a major stakeholder in the Irish landscape.Show less
Een van de klassen aardewerk die veelvuldig bij archeologisch onderzoek in het Middellandse Zeegied wordt aangetroffen is African Red Slip Ware (ARSW). Dit wijdsverspreide Tunesische tafelwaar kan...Show moreEen van de klassen aardewerk die veelvuldig bij archeologisch onderzoek in het Middellandse Zeegied wordt aangetroffen is African Red Slip Ware (ARSW). Dit wijdsverspreide Tunesische tafelwaar kan belangrijke inzichten verschaffen in de lokale(Laat-)Romeinse economie, terwijl juist deze laatste fase van distributie vrijwel niet wordt onderzocht. Deze studie naar de distributie van ARSW in Boeotië laat het potentieel zien van onderzoek naar de verspreiding van dit aardewerk op een lokale en regionale schaal. Naast een indicatie voor status en economische activiteit blijkt het aardewerk ook te kunnen worden gebruikt om het karakter van verschillende sites aan te duiden. De relatief strikte dateringen van verschillende vormen uit Hayes zijn typo-chronologie maken het mogelijk om naast de ruimtelijke distributie ook de chronologische ontwikkeling van de distributie van het aardewerk in verschillende regio's te onderzoeken. Dit resulteert in een aantal parallelle (chronologische/ruimtelijke) ontwikkeling, maar vooral in regionale verschillen die kenmerkend zijn voor de Laat-Romeinse periode in Griekenland.Show less
Hominin dispersal from Africa has been assumed to have occurred with the emergence of vast grasslands extending across Africa and Asia. However, the possibility of these people being adaptive to...Show moreHominin dispersal from Africa has been assumed to have occurred with the emergence of vast grasslands extending across Africa and Asia. However, the possibility of these people being adaptive to other environments and climates has not been investigated. Determining dietary and water resource niches for selected fossil bovids from Trinil HK, Java from the stable isotopes of the carbonate fraction of their teeth and the skeletal remains of fossil aquatic fauna (Trinil and Sangiran) allowed for the reconstruction of the Pleistocene environment of the site and region. This reconstruction displayed a more diverse environment that Homo erectus adapted to than just a mere grassland.Show less
In deze scriptie staan halvemaanvormige vuurstenen ‘sikkels’ uit de Late Bronstijd en Vroege IJzertijd, in West-Friesland, centraal. Dit onderzoek vormt een duidelijk overzicht van de sikkels en...Show moreIn deze scriptie staan halvemaanvormige vuurstenen ‘sikkels’ uit de Late Bronstijd en Vroege IJzertijd, in West-Friesland, centraal. Dit onderzoek vormt een duidelijk overzicht van de sikkels en sikkelfragmenten die zijn aangetroffen in West-Friesland, en heeft bijgedragen aan een beter inzicht in dit object en de verspreiding ervan. Hieruit is gebleken dat het verspreidingspatroon afhankelijk is van twee factoren, namelijk de bewoning die zich in het noordoosten van West-Friesland concentreerde, en de onderzoeksintensiteit. Na onderzoek naar de verschillen en/of overeenkomsten uit het oorsprongsgebied en Denemarken, blijkt dat de interpretatie of betekenis van deze halvemaanvormige werktuigen anders is voor deze gemeenschappen, dan voor de gemeenschappen uit Nederland. Dit verschil in functie is te herleiden tot de verdeling in twee typen (A en B), de verspreiding hiervan en het feit dat ze beide van een andere vuursteensoort zijn vervaardigd. Daarnaast wordt door dit onderzoek bevestigd dat complete vuurstenen sikkels zelden tot nooit in nederzettingen worden aangetroffen; het zijn vaak losse vondsten die in de periferie van nederzettingen worden gevonden. Fragmenten die hergebruikt zijn komen wel veel voor in nederzettingscontext.Show less
Midden-Paleolithische oppervlaktevondsten zijn de enige bron van activiteit van Neanderthalers gedurende het Pleistoceen in Noord-Brabant. Door de relatieve zeldzaamheid van Midden-Paleolithische...Show moreMidden-Paleolithische oppervlaktevondsten zijn de enige bron van activiteit van Neanderthalers gedurende het Pleistoceen in Noord-Brabant. Door de relatieve zeldzaamheid van Midden-Paleolithische vondsten in Nederland is het noodzakelijk om een heldere indruk te krijgen van de natuurlijke en antropogene processen die verantwoordelijk zijn voor het aantreffen van deze vindplaatsen. Delen van Noord-Brabant, met name de laaggelegen Roerdalslenk, worden gekenmerkt door de dekzandgebieden die afgezet zijn gedurende het Weichselien - ook nadat Neanderthalers actief waren in dit gebied. Tevens is onderzocht of er op basis van aanwezige kaarten, namelijk de geologische-, geomorfologische-, bodem- en hoogtekaart een indicatief model geconstrueerd kan worden om toekomstige Midden-Paleolithische vondsten te voorspellen en huidige vondsten te verklaren. Daarbij is ook gekeken of gedrag van Neanderthalers invloed had op deze vondstverspreiding. Hoewel Midden-Paleolithische artefacten worden aangetroffen in de dekzandgebieden van de Roerdalslenk waar dit door recente sedimentatie niet verwacht werd, blijkt dat deze vondsten verklaard kunnen worden door aanwezige geomorfologische factoren. Vooral de aanwezigheid van beekdalen die zich diep hebben ingesneden in de recentere afzettingen, verhoogt de kans op Midden-Paleolithische vindplaatsen significant. Buiten de dekzandgebieden komen tevens Midden-Paleolithische vondsten voor op Holocene oppervlakten, maar ook deze vondsten kunnen verklaard worden door de aanwezigheid van plaatselijke erosie – naast beekdalen ook rivierdalen en terrassen, dekzandreliëf en antropogene activiteit. Uiteindelijk konden vrijwel alle vondsten binnen het model verklaard worden aan de hand van de geologische-, geomorfologische- en reliëfkaart, die gecombineerd zijn tot een gecombineerde indicatieve kaart van Noord-Brabant. De bodemkaart werd ook getoetst op voorspellingswaarde, maar bleek zoals verwacht niet voldoende indicatief te zijn voor Midden-Paleolithische vondsten. Slechts 7 van de 63 vondsten konden niet verklaard worden aan de hand van het gecombineerde indicatieve model. Van deze outliers bevonden zich 5 vlak naast voorspellende factoren, dat toegerekend wordt aan onnauwkeurige coördinaatplaatsbepaling. Twee van de vindplaatsen die niet verklaard kunnen worden, lagen aan de rand van de Peelhorst waar plaatselijk mogelijk een oude Pleistocene afzetting aanwezig is die niet terugkomt op de geologische overzichtskaart door de zeer grote schaal van deze kaart. Aangezien alle vondsten verklaard konden worden door natuurlijke factoren, was gedragsreconstructie onmogelijk.Show less
