Museumercanary: a title fitting for Borys Malkin (1917-2009), owing to the dualistic nature of his occupation: on one side he is remembered as an anthropologist, who for 40 years (1960s-90s)...Show moreMuseumercanary: a title fitting for Borys Malkin (1917-2009), owing to the dualistic nature of his occupation: on one side he is remembered as an anthropologist, who for 40 years (1960s-90s) conducted fieldwork amongst over 46 Indigenous groups in South America. On the other side, however, he was a full-time private collector, dealer, and smuggler of Indigenous material culture, who sold ethnographic (and some archaeological) collections to more than 40 museums in Europe and North America. In this thesis, I investigate Malkin’s work process in both of his occupations, in order to establish his true motivations and intentions for creating and selling Indigenous South American collections. I do so through a combination of literature review and archival research, involving the analysis of Malkin’s private correspondences with 8 of his museum clients. His letters not only contain his stories from collecting in the field, full of his personal views, opinions and commentary on Indigenous life and culture and South American politics, but also his collection documentation and invoices. The two museums, which corresponded with Malkin the most, were the Museum of Cultures in Basel (Switzerland) and the National Museum of the American Indian in New York (USA). While Malkin’s interest in Indigenous material culture was mostly financial, his methods of collecting and documenting material culture influenced the way Indigenous South American people were perceived by both Western scholars and the public. Therefore, it is important to uncover the details of his oeuvre and add them to our knowledge of the history of displacement of Indigenous material culture and its transformation into museum collections. Most importantly, we must make that history available to the Indigenous, and allow them to be reunited with knowledge about their own objects, lost to them due to the activities of collectors and dealers, such as Borys Malkin.Show less
The Han Empire’s (206 BCE–220 CE) duration eclipsed that of any other ‘Chinese’ dynasty. It shared its northern borders with the Xiongnu Empire and became one of the pillars of the Silk Roads. This...Show moreThe Han Empire’s (206 BCE–220 CE) duration eclipsed that of any other ‘Chinese’ dynasty. It shared its northern borders with the Xiongnu Empire and became one of the pillars of the Silk Roads. This thesis studies the international trading relations of the Han Empire and whether this was impacted by the internal and/or external conflicts that the Han Empire engaged in. Cases of foreign goods unearthed from Han contexts include foreign ornaments made from various materials that reached Han tombs at Hepu through the Maritime Silk Road, and Xiongnu belt plaques uncovered from Western Han royal tombs. These are studied alongside Han bronze mirrors and Han lacquerwares found in respectively Xiongnu burials in Mongolia, and a Kushan site in Afghanistan. Trends that emerge from these case studies show that international trade gained momentum during the reign of Emperor Wudi (r. 141–87 BCE), which was characterized by expansionist policies, and continued throughout the later Western Han period into the 1st century CE. In the Eastern Han period (23–220 CE), which was more plagued by conflict than the earlier Western Han period, foreign goods in Han contexts see a decline while Han goods in foreign contexts cease to occur in the 2nd century CE. By placing these trends in the historical framework of the Han Dynasty, this thesis finds that the Han Empire’s foreign trading relations were more affected by the internal conflicts of the Han Dynasty, than by the external conflicts that the Han Empire engaged in.Show less
This thesis examines the most appropriate sustainable management strategy for petroglyphs created by the indigenous people of Guadeloupe, with a focus on the petroglyphs at Parc Archéologique des...Show moreThis thesis examines the most appropriate sustainable management strategy for petroglyphs created by the indigenous people of Guadeloupe, with a focus on the petroglyphs at Parc Archéologique des Roches Gravées, Anse des Galets and Capesterre Petit-Pérou. Through visual inspection, literature review and analysis of case studies of other petroglyph sites, the natural and human threats to which petroglyph sites are exposed were identified. The main natural threats to the petroglyphs at the sites are natural, biological and chemical weathering and erosion caused by water and wind. This has caused significant damage to several petroglyphs. Petroglyphs also become invisible due to the growth of mosses and algae. In addition, human activities such as economic development, tourist impact and vandalism and theft pose significant risks. To implement sustainable management, recommendations have been made that involve a combination of advanced diagnostic techniques, digital documentation, systematic monitoring, environmental management, and community and international cooperation. These recommendations provide an effective management strategy that both preserves the cultural integrity of petroglyphs and ensures their accessibility for future generations. Due to the limitations of the visual aspect of this study, future research is recommended that recommends applying advanced diagnostic methods and long-term monitoring, as well as developing specific protection strategies such as coatings and cleaning methods adapted to the specific conditions of the petroglyphs in Guadeloupe.Show less
From 1585 to 1800, Walcheren was a major destination for international sailing ships in the Netherlands, as it was home to the headquarters of the VOC Chamber of Zeeland. In that time, many ships...Show moreFrom 1585 to 1800, Walcheren was a major destination for international sailing ships in the Netherlands, as it was home to the headquarters of the VOC Chamber of Zeeland. In that time, many ships found their end around Walcheren. One of the many causes was the surrounding waterscape, which was and still is very dynamic and rapidly changing, because of which ships would run aground and eventually wreck. However, as they were also buried quickly by the sedimentation, a lot of shipwrecks has been preserved until today. As the currents of the estuaries around Walcheren have moved over the past few centuries, the protective sediment layers on top of the shipwrecks is being eroded, uncovering the shipwrecks. On top of the seabed, the shipwrecks are exposed to decay and erosion, and thus archaeologists need to act quick. One of the approaches to proactively locate the shipwrecks before it is too late, is the creation of prediction maps. This research has studied the changes in the morphology of the waterscape of Walcheren from 1585 to 1800, based on historical maps and bathymetrical reconstructions. These were combined with historical data of shipping routes and average drafts to create so-called risk areas that ships, if they were to sail into it, had a high a likelihood of running aground and consequently wrecking. Based on the reconstructed and modern bathymetry, this research analysed the change in the waterscape from 1585 to the present. Based on this information, a prediction map was created, predicting areas in which shipwrecks are most likely to have been preserved. Both this preservation prediction map and the risk area prediction map were tested by overlaying them with contemporarily documented shipwreck locations. The results showed that the vast majority of documented shipwrecks was located in the predicted areas of both maps, proving their accuracy.Show less
This thesis is aimed at reconstructing the diet of the peoples living in Spain and Italy during the Migration Period (4th-7th century AD) through carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis, and...Show moreThis thesis is aimed at reconstructing the diet of the peoples living in Spain and Italy during the Migration Period (4th-7th century AD) through carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis, and the health status of the populations living in these areas. This will be done through an analysis of the skeletal assemblages from the chosen burial sites and identification of paleopathologies. Final considerations will be done in terms of burial spatial patterns, to investigate whether people with a certain diet and/or pathology were buried differently than the rest of the population. Ten sites in Spain and Italy dating to the Migration Period are analysed: Vicenne Campochiaro, La Selvicciola, Castel Trosino, Romans d’Isonzo, Chiunsano di Ficarolo, Chiesazza di Ficarolo, S’Hort des Llimoners, A Lanzada, Joan Planells, and Gózquez. The aim of my research is to investigate whether the breakdown of longer-distance trade networks in the late Roman period resulted in big differences between former regions of the Western Roman Empire in terms of people’s health and diets. There have been many studies in academia focusing on dietary isotopes in the Mediterranean region for the Late Antiquity and Migration Period, but only a few have attempted spatial comparisons between different countries of the former Western Roman Empire after its breakdown. In creating comprehensive tables for the different sites, I put together all of the skeletal, palaeopathological, and dietary isotopic evidence taken from different sources. This will provide a new insight on the transition between the late Roman period and the early Middle Ages (Migration Period or “Barbaric Invasions”) in southern Europe, on food subsistence strategies, on the relationship between diet and palaeopathologies (and its limitations), on the social and cultural mixing happening at the sites, and on the impact that the breakdown of the Western Roman Empire had on the diet and health status of these regions.Show less
‘How does the entanglement of magic items, players, and in-game histories in Dungeons & Dragons shape engagement with the past?’ is the question this thesis investigates. Data to this end are...Show more‘How does the entanglement of magic items, players, and in-game histories in Dungeons & Dragons shape engagement with the past?’ is the question this thesis investigates. Data to this end are gathered by recording three separate sessions of the game involving magical artefacts, by different players. The players, who were not aware of the set-up, filled out a questionnaire after the game, and took part in a discussion. The subdivision of the research question in the introductory chapter in manageable parts dictates the set-up of the following chapters. The second chapter provides background and theory on materiality and magical artefacts – first in archaeology, secondly in the role playing game of Dungeons & Dragons. To properly understand D&D, but also to prepare the setup of the experimental games the history of the game and its mechanics are explained. The third chapter focuses on the design of the experimental game, and the accompanying questionnaire. In the fourth chapter the course of the three different game sessions, questionnaires and group-discussions are considered. General outcomes and salient individual reactions are both noted. The fifth chapter briefly investigates topics related to the research question that came up during or through the experiments and evaluates the applied methodology. The sixth chapter concludes the thesis by establishing, finally, that D&D presents a barely studied, contemporary aspect of materiality, and offers a fascinating point of departure for academics to connect with the public, and for the public to engage with the past.Show less
This thesis looked into the circular towers located surrounding modern-day Amman, the ancient site of Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the ancient Ammonites in nowadays Northern Jordan. From the 19th...Show moreThis thesis looked into the circular towers located surrounding modern-day Amman, the ancient site of Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the ancient Ammonites in nowadays Northern Jordan. From the 19th century on, scholars came across these Ammonite buildings, and a variety of interpretations arose, claiming the circular towers to be either border forts, settlements, agricultural facilities, or fortified farmsteads. A fresh update on this subject is necessary. This thesis is a continuation of the preceding research and will be carried out on the basis of a literature study. We will dive into various subjects, such as the state of the art of the circular towers, their distribution, and the purpose of the Ammonite circular towers in the Iron Age. Their preservation is currently in great danger due to the ongoing expansion of the city of Amman. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that these Ammonite towers will be excavated or surveyed in the upcoming years because the surveys conducted in the past centuries are not up to today’s academic standards. The results of this study will shed more light into the darkness in order to supplement knowledge in the ongoing discussions on the circular towers of the Ammonites.Show less
This paper focuses on three aspects of the discussion surrounding the importance of historical and archaeological accuracy in video games to contribute insights into specific aspects of this...Show moreThis paper focuses on three aspects of the discussion surrounding the importance of historical and archaeological accuracy in video games to contribute insights into specific aspects of this discussion to the more general topic. These aspects are, in order: 1. The accuracy of medieval European double-edged sword designs in video games, specifically For Honor, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Elden Ring; 2. The accuracy of animations of attacks and defences as used by the Warden in the video game For Honor; 3. A look into how historical and archaeological accuracy is seen by people who play video games. These three points are discussed individually and their conclusions are related back to the general topic of historical accuracy in order to further scientific discussion surrounding this area. For this purpose, I use a variety of sources including video games, academic journals, historical fencing manuals, blog posts, an interview, and my own experience with the various areas covered in this paper.Show less
Deze scriptie onderzoekt het fenomeen van geweld in Neolithisch Nederland, een onderwerp dat tot op heden weinig aandacht heeft gekregen in de Nederlandse literatuur. Terwijl in buurlanden en...Show moreDeze scriptie onderzoekt het fenomeen van geweld in Neolithisch Nederland, een onderwerp dat tot op heden weinig aandacht heeft gekregen in de Nederlandse literatuur. Terwijl in buurlanden en andere delen van West-Europa talrijke vondsten zijn gedaan die wijzen op gewelddadige conflicten in het Neolithicum, is dergelijk bewijsmateriaal in Nederland schaars. Deze scriptie heeft als doel deze onderzoekskloof te onderzoeken door beschikbare digitale archeologische archieven te analyseren. De methodologie van het onderzoek omvat een uitgebreide analyse van data uit twee digitale archieven: Archis en DANS. Archis bevat een groot deel van de archeologische rapporten die Nederlandse opgravingen, proefsleuven, booronderzoeken, inspecties of bureauonderzoeken beschrijven. Sinds 2002 zijn uitvoerders van archeologisch veldonderzoek verplicht om hun resultaten te rapporteren, wat een rijke bron van gegevens biedt. DANS is een nationale expertisecentrum en repository voor onderzoeksdata, waarbinnen het datastation ‘Archaeology’ relevant materiaal voor dit onderzoek beschikbaar stelt. Het onderzoek richt zich specifiek op de analyse van menselijk botmateriaal en begravingscontext om aanwijzingen voor geweld te identificeren. Dit wordt gedaan door de data uit Archis en DANS te onderzoeken op sporen van trauma en andere tekenen van geweld. Resultaten uit deze rapporten worden geanalyseerd om patronen te identificeren die kunnen wijzen op gewelddadige interacties in het Neolithicum. Deze scriptie behandelt 8 vindplaatsen die aanwijzingen behouden voor geweldsincidenten gedurende het Neolithicum in Nederland. Via digitale archieven DANS en Archis zijn er verschillende graven gevonden behorende tot de Swifterbantcultuur, Enkelgrafcultuur en Klokbekercultuur, waarin tekenen van geweld kunnen worden geïnterpreteerd. De scriptie is opgebouwd uit verschillende hoofdstukken die elk een onderdeel van het onderzoek belichten. Het begint met een introductie over het fenomeen geweld in Neolithisch Europa en de specifieke onderzoekskloof in Nederland. Vervolgens wordt de methodologie gedetailleerd beschreven, gevolgd door de uitwerking van de resultaten. De conclusie bespreekt de gevonden aanwijzingen voor geweld, de aard en omvang ervan, en doet aanbevelingen voor toekomstig onderzoek. Een discussie over de beperkingen van het onderzoek en de implicaties van de bevindingen sluit de scriptie af. This thesis examines the phenomenon of violence in Neolithic Netherlands, a subject that has received little attention in Dutch literature to date. While numerous finds pointing to violent conflicts in the Neolithic have been made in neighbouring countries and other parts of Western Europe, such evidence is scarce in the Netherlands. This thesis aims to investigate this research gap by analysing available digital archaeological archives. The methodology of the research includes an extensive analysis of data from two digital archives: Archis and DANS. Archis contains a large number of archaeological reports that describe Dutch excavations, test trenches, drilling surveys, inspections or desk research. Since 2002, executors of archaeological field research have been required to report their results, providing a rich source of data. DANS is a national expertise centre and repository for research data, within which the 'Archaeology' data station makes relevant material available for this research. The research focuses specifically on the analysis of human bone material and burial context to identify indications of violence. This is done by examining the data from Archis and DANS for traces of trauma and other signs of violence. Results from these reports are analysed to identify patterns that may indicate violent interactions in the Neolithic. This thesis discusses 8 sites that preserve indications of violent incidents during the Neolithic in the Netherlands. Various graves belonging to the Swifterbant culture, Single Grave culture and Bell Beaker culture have been found via digital archives DANS and Archis, in which signs of violence can be interpreted. The thesis is composed of several chapters, each highlighting a part of the research. It starts with an introduction to the phenomenon of violence in Neolithic Europe and the specific research gap in the Netherlands. The methodology is then described in detail, followed by the elaboration of the results. The conclusion discusses the evidence found for violence, its nature and extent, and makes recommendations for future research. A discussion of the limitations of the study and the implications of the findings concludes the thesis.Show less
Keuzegedrag is een belangrijk cognitief proces dat binnen de wetenschap veel wordt onderzocht. Uit onderzoek van Damaso en collega’s (2022) bleek dat de reactietijd van participanten toeneemt na...Show moreKeuzegedrag is een belangrijk cognitief proces dat binnen de wetenschap veel wordt onderzocht. Uit onderzoek van Damaso en collega’s (2022) bleek dat de reactietijd van participanten toeneemt na het maken van een fout. Dit fenomeen, genaamd post-error slowing, komt mogelijk voort uit de afleiding van aandacht na een fout, om te proberen accurater te handelen. De speed-accuracy trade-off toont aan dat reactietijd toeneemt als mensen accurater zijn. In dit onderzoek werd post-error slowing onderzocht en gekeken naar de invloed van feedback en moeilijkheid hierop. Dit werd getoetst aan de hand van een twee- alternatieven geforceerde keuzetaak, afgenomen bij 43 participanten, waarin trials varieerden in moeilijkheid en trial- of blockwise feedback. Uit de resultaten bleek geen significant effect van zowel moeilijkheid als van trial- of blockwise feedback. Mogelijke limitaties lagen bij de moeilijkheid en de deadline van de trials. Voor toekomstig onderzoek was het advies de huidige taak enigszins aan te passen en een grotere/diversere sample te onderzoeken.Show less
As Korea has globalized, so too has its discourse surrounding Korean transnational adoptees. Globalization of the issue can be seen in media portrayal of this group, where their canon of portrayal...Show moreAs Korea has globalized, so too has its discourse surrounding Korean transnational adoptees. Globalization of the issue can be seen in media portrayal of this group, where their canon of portrayal in Korean film and television is now accompanied by non-Korean works of visual media. Through a case study of Return to Seoul, a 2022 film by non-adoptee, non-Korean director Davy Chou, the thesis argues the following. While Return to Seoul as an independent foreign film on transnational Korean adoptees is in some capacity aware of Korea’s national wound and discourse, it is not meant to fit into existing Korean representations or answer to political incentives. Conversely, it is exactly through its divergence from existing portrayals that foreign film on the topic has the potential to resonate with its global audience, and create productive discourse on Korean-ness and foreign-ness.Show less
The Korean Wave, or Hallyu (한류), has captivated global audiences through the popularity of K-pop artists, Korean dramas like ‘Squid Game’, and films such as ‘Parasite’. This phenomenon has boosted...Show moreThe Korean Wave, or Hallyu (한류), has captivated global audiences through the popularity of K-pop artists, Korean dramas like ‘Squid Game’, and films such as ‘Parasite’. This phenomenon has boosted South Korea’s soft power, motivating people to become fans. This thesis investigates whether K-pop, as a soft power tool, has a similar effect on audiences in the Netherlands. An open-ended questionnaire was sent to 12 K-pop fans and 11 non-fans as a control group. Thematic analysis reveals that the K-pop fan group shows they are motivated to seek out more Korean-related content and have a more positive perception of South Korea. In contrast, the non-fan group acknowledges South Korea’s growing positive reception but express uncertainty. A theoretical framework to analyze soft power has been established. The study suggests K-pop can positively influence perceptions of South Korea, contributing to its soft power, though this is more the case for people who are already K-pop fans as opposed to those who are non-fans.Show less
Research implies that stroke rehabilitation might benefit from music as an add-on in physical therapy. Nevertheless, it is still not widely used and researched. This research aims to examine if...Show moreResearch implies that stroke rehabilitation might benefit from music as an add-on in physical therapy. Nevertheless, it is still not widely used and researched. This research aims to examine if sonification, translating movement into sound, or rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) of movement, using background music, shows a greater learning process while playing the Pizzicato game. As both have shown to be a profitable add-on, the current research question is, “Which auditory-motor training method is most suitable for stroke rehabilitation?”. Here, we predict that sonification will show a greater learning increase over RAS, while a combination of the two exceeds all the conditions. 75 participants were randomly assigned over four conditions to play the Pizzicato game. The results arising from a 1x4 ANOVA show a lack of overall significant effects, even though significant effects are seen in sonification, and RAS compared to no sound. Concluding sonification and RAS can possibly enhance motor learning performance, while a combination of the auditory stimuli could result in a cognitive overload. Sonification or RAS could cautiously be implemented in stroke rehabilitation only if it is to increase enjoyability in rehabilitation.Show less
Education serves as a pivotal driver of societal advancement, yet persistent obstacles hinder universal access to quality education in low-middle-income countries. Concurrently, the phenomenon of...Show moreEducation serves as a pivotal driver of societal advancement, yet persistent obstacles hinder universal access to quality education in low-middle-income countries. Concurrently, the phenomenon of brain drain, characterized by the migration of skilled individuals to foreign shores, poses a considerable challenge to these nations. This study employs linear regression analysis to delve into the impact of educational assistance on emigration rates, with a particular focus on the dynamics of brain drain. Drawing from diverse theoretical frameworks, including Schumpeter's theory and insights gleaned from entrepreneurship studies, this research formulates hypotheses to elucidate the relationship between educational development and emigration. It undertakes a comprehensive examination of perspectives surrounding brain drain and delineates the role of education in nurturing sustainable development, with the overarching goal of unraveling the intricate interplay between education and emigration. This research contributes to the discourse on development by offering evidence-based insights into the complications of education assistance affecting brain drain. By understanding the nexus between education and emigration, policymakers can formulate targeted strategies to harness youth talent and drive economic progress in low-middle-income countries, without driving them abroad.Show less
