The HMC project started in 2021 to trace interconnection patterns in the rural region close to the city of Chalkida in Euboea, during the Medieval period. Field surveys in 2022 and 2023 at the...Show moreThe HMC project started in 2021 to trace interconnection patterns in the rural region close to the city of Chalkida in Euboea, during the Medieval period. Field surveys in 2022 and 2023 at the sites of Feges, Bailelekas, and Kastri, and the excavation trench of Kastri in 2023 retrieved multiple animal bones, requiring an archaeozoological analysis that would shed light on inquiries related to their nature and connection to the studied archaeological sites. This, in combination with the fact that no adequate archaeozoological study has been conducted in the Medieval Euboea, has been the main reason why this thesis was essential for both Byzantine Archaeology and Archaeozoology. For the current thesis, I studied faunal material coming from mammals. The main research questions aimed to comprehend from what period the material was derived, what species were present, how they were exploited, and whether these results are equivalent or different from the previous Early Byzantine Period. In addition, other questions included the interpretation of the main excavation site of the project, Kastri, based on the faunal analysis, and consequently, how animal remains can complement an archaeological analysis. It was determined that the faunal material derived from a Middle Byzantine refusion pit, and that caprines, pigs, and cows were mainly exploited for their primary products. Other species that were present included hare which would possibly be hunted, as well as limited rodent and dog bones. While not studied for the current thesis, the existence of fishes and birds was also mentioned to state the variety of animals that were probably used during the period. Most animals were exploited in similar ways as in the earlier period, except for cattle, which showed primarily signs of meat exploitation, contradicting their primary use as working animals in other assemblages from the earlier era. As for the function of Kastri, it was considered a wealthy premise of a central or administrative character, where animals would be gathered, slaughtered, and consumed in situ. It was further understood that faunal remains are essential for a vast number of archaeological questions regarding the period of interest, especially when it comes to the determination of socio-economic-related inquiries. This initial endeavour of archaeozoological analysis in these faunal remains is one of the first in the area, but also one of the very few ones regarding the period. Thus, along with answering the research questions of this thesis, new ones arise that would enlighten us more about the site in the future, especially regarding other species, diets, paleoenvironmental interpretation, as well as the chronology of the material.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
Ecofeminist debate around ‘women as closer to nature’ centers the intersection between gender and climate. This assumption is put as unreliable, however ethnographic findings reveal that women of...Show moreEcofeminist debate around ‘women as closer to nature’ centers the intersection between gender and climate. This assumption is put as unreliable, however ethnographic findings reveal that women of the Greek island Corfu redefine ‘closeness to nature’ through the practice of herbalism. This study shows a nuanced depiction of the relationship between women and the natural environment, by revaluating notions of care and labor. Through ethnographic methods based on participant observation, in-depth interviews and filming, data is obtained. The data shows that the women of Corfu use herbalism as a means to be independent from their demanding role as caregivers; traditional knowledge is based on connections with past generations that refer to survival skills; herbalism teaches how mainstream society can live more sustainable. Concluding, herbalism is more than a practice. In the context of Corfu, herbalism critiques capitalist economies and creates a sustainable relationship with the natural environment. Through redefining labor and performing care as herbalist practice, lived experiences refine discussions on ‘women as closer to nature’.Show less
In the summer of 2022, 6 metal artifacts were recovered from the sites of Kastri and Feges during the “Hinterland of Medieval Chalcis” project, which is directed by Prof. J.A.C. Vroom. 5 of these...Show moreIn the summer of 2022, 6 metal artifacts were recovered from the sites of Kastri and Feges during the “Hinterland of Medieval Chalcis” project, which is directed by Prof. J.A.C. Vroom. 5 of these metal artifacts are being discussed in this bachelor thesis. These 5 items consist of a piece of scale metal, a key or belt loop, a crucifix, a belt loop, and several pieces of metal belonging to a box. The artifacts made it possible to identify the activity and roles of Kastri and Feges. The piece of scale metal was used by soldiers as a source of protection during war. It could have been part of an aventail, barding, or another part of scale armor. Secondly, belt loops could be used to carry weapons around your waist, or as an accessory to secure clothing. New types of belt loops were introduced by Crusaders who traveled and traded with other regions. The walls that are still present at the site were defensive walls. These artifacts and structures imply that there was military activity at the site of Kastri. The box that was found was probably used for the storage and transport of goods, indicating that Kastri might have been part of a trade network. The crucifix at Feges tells us that this site was involved with and visited by Christians. The cross is the sign of faith and belief of the Christians. The Crusaders often brought crosses with them on their travels. In correlation with the marble block that was found at this site, it could resemble a religious place with a possible church structure or graveyard. To form well-founded conclusions, additional research is necessary. The sites of Kastri and Feges need to be further examined. The metal artifacts that were found need to be cleaned and excessive oxidation needs to be removed. After the cleaning process, the artifacts can be studied in detail to look for characteristics that might help identify the objects.Show less
The impact of external influences on the intensity of intra-state conflicts is a topic of primary explanatory value. Upon consideration of broader academic entries, this paper examines the Greek...Show moreThe impact of external influences on the intensity of intra-state conflicts is a topic of primary explanatory value. Upon consideration of broader academic entries, this paper examines the Greek Civil War to identify the causal mechanisms that link foreign interventions with human casualties.Show less
In 2004, an excavation of a tumulus in Rembeç, Albania, uncovered several small metal finds. The finds mainly consist of earrings, rings, buckles, beads and knives, which are generally dated...Show moreIn 2004, an excavation of a tumulus in Rembeç, Albania, uncovered several small metal finds. The finds mainly consist of earrings, rings, buckles, beads and knives, which are generally dated between the 7th and 9th century based on the ceramic goods from the same archaeological context. By comparing these metal items to other similar finds from the southern Balkan and Greece, I have determined that the finds likely hold a Slavic connection. The earrings are similar to earrings found in Croatia, Bulgaria and along the Pindus mountains, reaching into southern Albania and Greece. One ring type found at Rembeç is similar to a set of rings from a female grave from the Slavic cemetery in Argolis, Greece, but the ring type was also found in Central European female Slavic graves. What makes the locations of the items similar to Rembeç’s metal finds so interesting, is that they all in some manner relate to the movement of Slavic groups. The Slavs had close connections with the Avars who moved into Croatia, and the Bulgars. These connections may have led to the development of a similar jewellery style which the Slavs then spread during their migration into Albania and Greece. Specifically the finds along the Pinuds mountains and in Argolis illustrate how Slavic groups may have moved along the mountain range, reaching locations like Rembeç, Rehova and Përmet in Albania, but also Evrytania, Phtiotis and Argolis in Greece. Here, they may have either settled, or traded the Slavic earrings with local populations. My research concerns itself with the concept of “identity creation”, which can be illustrated by the spread of these finds. Slavic influence at Rembeç is highly likely, but this does not have to include a permanent Slavic presence. It can also illustrate how those who used these items placed a certain value on these items, using them to communicate their sense of “self” to those around them. These people buried at Rembeç used these “Slavic” items to construct their identity, and in doing so they became an intrinsic part of their outward presentation that they were included as grave goods after their deaths.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
This ethnographic research takes an in-depth look at the identities of refugees (and other border-crossers), refugee communities and politics of belonging. Through the ethnographic method of...Show moreThis ethnographic research takes an in-depth look at the identities of refugees (and other border-crossers), refugee communities and politics of belonging. Through the ethnographic method of narrative approach, it explores the perceptions of refugees on their identity, communities and work and shows how these affect and are affected by politics of belonging. Using ethnographic methods of participant observation and informal interviews in the geographic area of Athens and Piraeus, Greece, I explore contested refugee narratives about refugee identity, refugee communities and work. I use “refugee communities” and “work”, as the main lens through which to discuss what protects, supports or helps them outside and aside of the humanitarian and the asylum system. I discuss the terms of “refugee” and “refugee community”, showing the complex ways people and theory make sense of them. The main argument of my analysis is that, dealing with the so called “refugee crisis”, also means examining our perceptions on the contested narratives around refugee identities and making the choice to “stay close” to people, who already make up part of our societies.Show less
The castle of Psachna on Euboea has been surveyed for the first time by the team of the Hinterland of Medieval Chalkida project (HMC project). Large amounts of ceramic material have been collected...Show moreThe castle of Psachna on Euboea has been surveyed for the first time by the team of the Hinterland of Medieval Chalkida project (HMC project). Large amounts of ceramic material have been collected by means of an intensive survey. Most of the material is of Late Byzantine origin, likely originating from the city of Chalcis, in that time known as Negroponte. The region featured a feudal system with similar castles functioning as feudal strongholds for local lords, which could potentially provide a motive for habitation at the time. Three main categories which exist within this dataset are mapped in GIS: Tiles, non-diagnostic, and diagnostic ceramics. A number of sub-categories resulting from the processing of the diagnostic sherds, such as tableware and amphorae sherds among others, are similarly mapped. GIS mapping and analysis of the collected ceramics is used for the first time on the data, to gain an understanding of the distribution and to identify potential patterns in the pottery dispersal. The type of GIS maps constructed are thematic maps. Within said maps, values are translated into color codes which correspond to certain coded categories. These are designed to represent groupings of grid squares with similar weight values. Behind the implementation of the groupings lies the reasoning that reducing the number of total categories leads to reduced visual clutter on the maps, caused by less color values being displayed. Additionally, the analytical potential is expanded upon by making the maps more convenient. From the maps arises an image of the distribution of the ceramic material following a certain pattern. The southern/eastern band of the plateau features a high concentration of ceramic sherds, small in size. Here, certain areas feature a dense concentration of material which is true for every category of material. The northwestern part of the plateau features few sherds which are substantially larger. By calculating the average weight of ceramic sherds per area, a potential pattern of erosion can be seen. Smaller sherds are carried down the slope and accumulate in large numbers. Larger fragments are caught behind debris and remain there. Further research into the soil structure could help to further understand this pattern.Show less
The primary objective of this thesis is to construct a predictive model that can be used to study the Stone Age on insular, partly submerged and submerged landscapes of Greece. The chosen research...Show moreThe primary objective of this thesis is to construct a predictive model that can be used to study the Stone Age on insular, partly submerged and submerged landscapes of Greece. The chosen research area is the central Ionian Sea, as it combines diverse landscapes that have undergone dynamic changes due to eustatism and high tectonic activity. In detail, the model aimed at studying various environmental factors and their effect on the distribution of finds across the three main time periods of the Stone Age, both in terms of their original deposition and their present-day location. In addition, it aimed at studying and integrating social and cultural factors, to explore the available digital material and to use primarily open source data. The materials used were known locations of archaeological finds based on the “Prehistoric Stones of Greece” dataset, and a variety of digital maps, retrieved by European Union sites such as Copernicus and EMODnet and Natura 2000, and by national sites, for example YPEN. These datasets were open source with various Creative Commons licenses. The resolution of maps varied across each source. In order to properly examine the datasets and assess their contribution, the following process was followed. First, the known locations per time periods were split in two parts, from which the 70% was used in building the model and the rest 30% was kept for testing the model. Subsequently, the known locations were studied along with a series of maps in order to establish patterns, which were then compared to the literature. The main potential disturbances of soil and factors hindering research and findability of finds were also considered. The main factors affecting the distribution were considered to be proximity to water, elevation, depth and landslide susceptibility. No social or cultural factors could be integrated in the model. Three more factors were modelled and added, including the Natura 2000 areas, forested and increase artificial disturbances areas. Six predictive values were created, with number (1) combining low elevations (<100masl) and proximity to modern-day water bodies, and the lowest (6) being the underwater areas with depth higher than -1000. One model was created for all three time periods, due to the overall similarity of observed patterns. The resulting model was tested with the withheld sample of locations and it showed that the values carrying the majority of finds are Value 3 and 1 for the Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic, and Value 1 and then 3 for the Neolithic. In conclusion, post depositional processes seem to have largely affected the 150 distribution, but predictive modelling can still be effective. In term of social and cultural factors, more research is needed before they can be integrated in a model, especially on the first two periods of the Stone Age. Finally, it is possible to create a predictive model of the Greek Stone Age by using mostly open source material and open data.Show less
This thesis aims to understand the impact of the 2015-2016 refugee crisis on the parliamentary discourse in the Netherlands and Greece. It does so by drawing on Triandafyllidou’s (2018) work on...Show moreThis thesis aims to understand the impact of the 2015-2016 refugee crisis on the parliamentary discourse in the Netherlands and Greece. It does so by drawing on Triandafyllidou’s (2018) work on media and political discourse, which proposed an important distinction between three discursive frames developed in response to the refugee crisis: 1) a moralizing frame; 2) a security frame; and 3) a rationalizing frame. The goal is to trace these frames in Dutch and Greek parliamentary debates, as parliaments have not received much attention in the academic debate. The analysis covers transcripts of plenary sessions in parliamentary debates between August 2015 and April 2016. Following the work of Triandafyllidou (2018), the key hypothesis is that the longer a refugee crisis lasts, the more parliamentary debates become dominated by a rationalizing frame, regardless of how affected countries are by refugee inflows. The findings identify that no particular frame dominated the parliamentary debates, indicating that political parties remained stable on the left-right dimension. Thus, against the expectations from the literature on the 2015-2016 refugee crisis, the thesis demonstrates that the refugee crisis did not impact the political discourse in EU member states.Show less
Sanctuaries in ancient Greece were important religious hubs for the purposes of cult worship. Located on areas anointed as hallowed ground, the sanctuaries played important roles as regional,...Show moreSanctuaries in ancient Greece were important religious hubs for the purposes of cult worship. Located on areas anointed as hallowed ground, the sanctuaries played important roles as regional, economic and political centres, attracting many visitors in their time. This thesis aims to identify and structure the different roles of water in sanctuaries into two main categories. Firstly what the different uses of water are in a practical and utilitarian context, and secondly what the uses of water are in a ritual or sacred context. To analyse the roles and aspects of water in ancient Greek sanctuaries, the archaeological record of two very influential and important Greek sanctuaries is studied: the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and the sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros. The archaeological traces at these sanctuaries are investigated for traces of structures relating to water management. In addition to analysing and interpreting archaeological water management structures, the analysis of ancient written sources and inscriptions were used to further understand ancient water practices not visible in the archaeological record. Other methods like the study of sacrificial rituals in both sanctuaries provided additional insight into the role of water in cult contexts. The results showed a wide variety of water usage, with some roles associated to water that we no longer see today in western societies. Ritual roles of water were very unique to Greek religion, and were paired with concepts of pollutions (Miasma). In short, water usage had ritual and sacred aspects when dealing with ritual sacrifices, purifications before entering sanctuaries and specific holy temples. Furthermore, water was also believed to have healing properties, and was used to ritually bathe and clean. On the other hand, utilitarian and profane uses of water were more predictable and mostly out of necessities. These include water used for personal needs like drinking, cleaning and bathing. Yet also some non-personal needs like washing sanctuary statues, cleaning sacrificial altars and water spent on watering plants and animals. These results give us a wider view of the dimensions waters could have had in Greek sanctuaries, especially in a cult environment.Show less
The media has played a centripetal role in shaping public opinion and setting domestic and foreign affairs agendas. The Republic of Turkey is a ubiquitous factor in Greek historiography, nation...Show moreThe media has played a centripetal role in shaping public opinion and setting domestic and foreign affairs agendas. The Republic of Turkey is a ubiquitous factor in Greek historiography, nation-building processes, and foreign security policy. Throughout their unstable and fluctuating relations, the Greco – Turkish dyad has received copious media attention. In 2019 Turkey and Libya signed a maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Memorandum of Understanding. Such a settlement allegedly balked the EU's planned project to enhance the EastMed pipeline and violated Greece's EEZ, consequently causing an intense media reaction throughout Greece. This thesis applies Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to the publications of Kathimerini and Ta Nea, Greece's most widely read daily newspapers. The analysis brings insight into the media's sociopolitical role, its position regarding the citizenry and the state, and Turkey's importance as an external agent that reinforces the Greeks' in-group cohesion. Considering Aristotelian topoi to approach CDA, the analysis indicates that the Greek media's narrative on the Turkey-Libya settlement frames (i) Turkey as a threatening 'other,' (ii) portrays Greece as the referent object, and (iii) rejects the validity of such a settlement under international law, reinforcing the previous two points.Show less
“This paper explores aspects of Russian cultural diplomacy in Greece during the 21st century. The focus is on features of tourism, religion and education and how these interact with Greek politics....Show more“This paper explores aspects of Russian cultural diplomacy in Greece during the 21st century. The focus is on features of tourism, religion and education and how these interact with Greek politics. The analysis looks at recent trends and tries to scrutinize the prevalent narrative that Greece and Russia are two traditional allies. Despite fertile ground for an effective cultural diplomacy policy, Russia does not capitalize on the sway and favorable view it has in Greece due to several factors. Especially in the last decade and since the onset of the Greek financial crisis, economic ties have not deepened. While there is much potential for the development of cooperation, it must take place in diverse fields and move away from the politicized domain of energy.”Show less
