In onderhavig scriptieonderzoek wordt met een kritische blik gekeken naar de toegepaste prospectietechnieken en interpretaties van het drietal prospectieve onderzoeken in Geertjesgolf te Winssen,...Show moreIn onderhavig scriptieonderzoek wordt met een kritische blik gekeken naar de toegepaste prospectietechnieken en interpretaties van het drietal prospectieve onderzoeken in Geertjesgolf te Winssen, Moordhuizen en Angeren. Allen gelegen in het Gelderse deel van het Nederlandse rivierengebied. Tenslotte worden aanbevelingen gedaan voor toekomstige prospectieve onderzoeken binnen het rivierengebied. Aanleiding voor het onderzoek zijn de acties en gevolgen die hebben plaatsgevonden op de locaties Geertjesgolf te Winssen, Moordhuizen en Angeren, waarbij een archeologisch rijk landschap werd aangetroffen nadat de gebieden waren vrijgegeven. Ondanks dat grote delen van Geertjesgolf na deze vrijgave zijn weggegraven kon een groot gedeelte van het archeologische bodemarchief ex situ worden behouden. In het geval van Moordhuizen is zeer veel en met name bijzonder vondstmateriaal tijdens baggerwerkzaamheden verzameld. Echter is de context van het materiaal niet meer te achterhalen. Het onderzoek in Angeren daarentegen kent geen verloren archeologie. Nieuwe verwachtingsmodellen en bijbehorende prospectietechnieken tonen een haast feilloos systeem, waarmee archeologisch vindplaatsen op meerdere landschappelijk niveaus kunnen worden opgespoord. Tijdens het onderzoek veelvuldig gebruik gemaakt van literatuuronderzoek. Hierbij zijn met name (oudere) rapporten met betrekking tot het drietal onderzoeksgebieden geraadpleegd. Daarnaast is zowel analoog als digitaal kaartmateriaal bestudeerd. Het geraadpleegde kaartmateriaal had betrekking op archeologische- en landschappelijke verwachtingskaarten van de individuele onderzoeksgebieden als het Gelderse deel van het Nederlandse rivierengebied. Ten slotte heeft eigen opgedane ervaring tijdens archeologische onderzoeken in het rivierengebied als zeer belangrijke factor meegespeeld tijdens het onderzoek naar deze drietal prospectieve onderzoeken. De resultaten van onderhavig onderzoek laten zien dat relatief eenvoudige oorzaken hebben geleid tot het vrijgeven van twee van de drie onderzoeksgebieden. Een van de belangrijkste hoofdoorzaken is wellicht de misinterpretatie van komgebieden en hun onderliggende landschappen. Al vanaf de aanleg van de Betuweroute in 1995 ging men er van uit dat zij onaantrekkelijk waren voor menselijke activiteiten. Naar aanleiding van deze aanname vond in gebieden met een dergelijke bodemopbouw slechts in geringe mate archeologisch onderzoek plaats. Wanneer vervolgonderzoek wel plaats vond boorde men doorgaans slechts tot 2 a (maximaal) 3 meter, - Mv, waardoor de onderliggende landschappen vrijwel niet tot nauwelijks werden geïnterpreteerd. Daarnaast zorgde een natuurlijke factor voor verkeerde interpretaties van het landschap, namelijk de seizoenen. Doordat de rivieren in herfst en winter een relatief grote waterafvoer kennen, hadden de Maas uiterwaarden te maken met gemiddeld hoge grondwaterstanden. Als gevolg kon het opgeboorde boormonster niet tot nauwelijks worden opgehaald en beschreven. Tijdens latere onderzoeken in 2011 en 2017 werd de verkeerde interpretatie van het landschap bij Moordhuizen door middel van profieldocumentaties weer corrigeert, maar dit was immers al te laat. Groten delen waren in de jaren ervoor afgegraven en opgebaggerd. Zo ook waarschijnlijk de rijkste archeologische vindplaats van Nederland. Ondanks het grootte archeologische verlies in Geertjesgolf en Moordhuizen is een positieve leercurve op het gebied van prospectietechnieken te zien het archeologische werkveld. De landschappelijke kennis is in dermate toegenomen, waardoor archeologische vindplaatsen onder de komgebieden in groten getale tevoorschijn komen, zoals in het tracé van de verlengde Via15. Hieraan ten grondslag ligt het principediagram. Voortaan worden ingezette prospectietechnieken niet meer afgestemd op de nieuwste technieken en innovaties, maar op het type en aard van de verwachtte vindplaatsen in relatie met het landschap. Op basis van de verkregen resultaten van onderhavig onderzoek zijn aanbevelingen gegeven voor prospectief onderzoek in het rivierengebied. Eén van de hoofduitgangspunten is dat het principediagram standaard dient te worden gehandhaafd en te allen tijde dient te worden ingezet bij prospectief onderzoek in het rivierengebied. Daarnaast dient in uiterwaard- en kronkelwaarlandschappen de bodemopbouw enkel nog in kaart te worden gebracht doormiddel van profielkolommen of lengteprofielen, met een voorkeur in drogere seizoenen met een gemiddeld lage grondwaterstand. Ten slotte dienen er meer specifiek gerichte vraagstelling met betrekking het complexe rivierengebied worden opgesteld, zodat onterechte vrijgave van toekomstige onderzoeksgebieden voorkomen kan worden.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
Lithics are often one of the few materials from the Paleolithic that withstood the passage of time. Archeologists rely on them when they try to understand what happened in the past. Over the past...Show moreLithics are often one of the few materials from the Paleolithic that withstood the passage of time. Archeologists rely on them when they try to understand what happened in the past. Over the past centuries, lithic research has changed and in the last decennia the use of Machine Learning and 3D geometric morphometric (3DGM) analysis has been explored. In 2021, Archer et al. published a paper in which they explored the possibility of 3DGM analysis. With the help of Machine Learning, their model was trained with an experimental reference collection consisting of Levallois, discoidal and laminar debitage. As a result, the model could classify the technology of 73 – 77 % of the remaining experimental collection correctly. With a traditional analysis, around 20 – 30 % of the flake assemblage is identified. This would indicate that a much larger percentage of the assemblage could be classified with 3DGM analysis. However, this had never been tested on an archeological collection. In this thesis, the late Middle Paleolithic lithics of sublayers EGB and EGC of Quinçay are studied with a focus on flaking technologies. This is done through a traditional analysis consisting of an attribute analysis and a chaîne opératoire analysis and a 3DGM analysis. This is important for two main reasons: 1. Since 3DGM analysis of flaking technologies has never been applied on an archeological collection before, this research might provide valuable insights on how 3DGM analysis can be useful for understanding flaking technologies of archeological lithic collections, 2. The sublayers EGB and EGC of Quinçay have never been studied in detail before, and might provide more insights into the nature of the archeological sequence at Quinçay. Interestingly, the results of the traditional analysis and the 3DGM analysis revealed quite some differences. In the traditional analysis, discoid seemed to be the most common reduction method in the assemblage, this was followed by laminar reduction. However, in the 3DGM analysis, most of the flakes were classified as Levallois flakes. The model seemed to have the most difficulties with recognizing discoid products. The reason for the differences in classification between the traditional analysis and 3DGM analysis, could possibly be result of how the experimental collection was set up and the model was trained. In this thesis, multiple suggestions are proposed that could potentially help with improving the model in such a way that it could be more beneficial when using it on an archeological collection. The advantages and disadvantages that come with 3DGM analysis are also touched upon. By incorporating this innovative approach when studying the late Middle Paleolithic lithics from Quinçay, it is explored how 3DGM analysis can potentially help researchers with the analysis of lithics. As Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence become more intensively used in the future, it is not unlikely that it will start to play an important role in lithic analysis as well.Show less
Biological kinship is a phenomenon inherent in all people. Therefore, it is no wonder that it is an often-researched topic in bioarchaeology. Even though a living person could speak about their kin...Show moreBiological kinship is a phenomenon inherent in all people. Therefore, it is no wonder that it is an often-researched topic in bioarchaeology. Even though a living person could speak about their kin, the bones of people long passed have another way of saying who their relatives are. The approach used in this research examines cranial non-metric traits, the morphological variants appearing on the skull. This study investigated the relationship between biological kinship and cranial non-metric traits in the Middenbemster skeletal collection. Examining these traits aimed to gain further insight into familial connections within the cemetery, adding to previous studies that only focused on dental non-metric traits and foot anomalies. To estimate the familial relationships in the Middenbeemster skeletal collection, the data on 27 cranial non-metric traits were collected in 213 adult individuals. The traits were visually scored as present, absent, or unobservable if skeletal material was missing or poorly preserved. After collection, data were statistically analyzed. Analysis of traits revealed that most traits were represented in the sample and that there is inconsistency in the sex dependence of the traits. The principal finding of this research was the identification of precondylar tubercle as a basis for further hypothesizing about kinship, as it appeared in a significantly higher frequency in the Middenbester sample compared to the reference sample. This finding was further used to form a hypothetical kinship group, which may further be used to explore kinship through the archival data. Moreover, this research adds to the previous research conducted on this topic in Middenbeemster and provides a fresh perspective.Show less
Locally produced incised impasto ware is known to dominate the necropoleis and settlement contexts of Falerii Veteres, modern Civita Castellana, northern Lazio, during the Orientalizing period (8th...Show moreLocally produced incised impasto ware is known to dominate the necropoleis and settlement contexts of Falerii Veteres, modern Civita Castellana, northern Lazio, during the Orientalizing period (8th – 7th centuries). Falerii Veteres is recognized as the main town of a small peripheral region, acting as a middle ground between the Sabine, Capenate, Latin and Etruscan regions. Within this well connected ancient cultural landscape the Faliscan incised impasto production remains crucially its own, adopting the decorative repertoire of the Orientalizing and bucchero wares as the artisans or consumers saw fit. The research of this thesis revolves around the main question “How did potters’ technological choices develop at Falerii during the Orientalizing period (8th – 7th centuries BCE) when it comes to the traditionally produced incised impasto ware?”. Using techniques and methodologies developed by the Archaeological Sciences, pXRF analysis was performed on an assemblage of incised impastos (n = 45). The results confirmed suspected imported vessels, proving its validity, and offered surprising results, showing two different artisanal recipes were used, either contemporaneously or possibly throughout time. These results have offered a first look into the chemical composition of the incised impasto wares and the decorative pastes which filled their incisions from the city of Falerii Veteres and its necropoleis. The results offer high potential for the study of change throughout time of raw material usage and potential provenancing of locally produced impasto for the entire region of the Ager Faliscus and beyond.Show less
The topic of discussion in this thesis is the pre- and post-settlement environment of eastern Iceland, human exploitation of it and its consequences. Materials used are pre-existing publications on...Show moreThe topic of discussion in this thesis is the pre- and post-settlement environment of eastern Iceland, human exploitation of it and its consequences. Materials used are pre-existing publications on macro- and micro-botanical remains retrieved from both archaeological and natural contexts in eastern Iceland along with new archaeobotanical data from the archaeological site of Fjörður, Seyðisfjörður. The aim is to get a comprehensive image of the environment and vegetation in the area and to estimate the scope of human exploitation of it, with special emphasis on domestic use, livestock and cultivation. The results show that most of the sites seem to have been unforested prior to the settlement and characterised by heathland and grassland. Due to this fact the environmental effect of human arrival in the area was not as dramatic as in other more forested parts of the country. The most common influence of the settlement was replacement of taxa that are preferred by grazers by more grazing tolerant taxa and an introduction of anthropogenic indicators. A decrease in woodland was also observed where relevant, as well as increased soil erosion. Evidence of grazing was detected in almost all of the sites, along with anthropogenic fertilization and heathland expansion and exploitation. Insects and fungi reliant on domestic animals were also present in some of the sites. Driftwood seems to have been the most common wood used for construction and local wood most common as fuel. Peat and animal dung were also used as fuel which suggests a versatile fuel utilisation strategy. Cereal pollen was only found at three sites and a barley seed found in Fjörður seems to be the first cereal macrofossil found in an archaeological context in eastern Iceland. Cereal seeds have been found in many archaeological sites in other parts of the island and cultivation suggested for some of them. A possible explanation for the lack of evidence of arable agriculture in eastern Iceland is the lack of archaeological, environmental and archaeobotanical research in this part of the country, especially in environments suitable for cereal cultivation.Show less
In order to reconstruct the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene pollen samples were studied under a microscope and the information was then turned in...Show moreIn order to reconstruct the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene pollen samples were studied under a microscope and the information was then turned in to pollen diagrams. These pollen diagrams showed two distinct local pollen assemblage zones (LPAZ) throughout the sequence. LPAZ VVP-1 showed a Pinus dominated coniferous forest with high amounts of Corylus that was slowly transitioning into a mixed deciduous forest. The steppe landscape was slowly disappearing and the Rhine or one of its tributaries and possibly a lake were likely nearby. LPAZ VVP-2 showed a now Corylus dominated mixed deciduous forest and the likely complete disappearance of the steppe. Alnus marshes now also played a dominant role. The river was likely still nearby. These results provide a more detailed picture of the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder. In order to add a more precise timescale to the sampled sequence the sediments and the biostratigraphy were compared to the geological events and biostratigraphy of the western Netherlands during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene. This revealed that the sequence started with LPAZ VVP-1 in the Late Pleistocene during the Younger Dryas and possibly continued in to the transition to the Holocene Preboreal. After a hiatus in the Preboreal the sequence continued with LPAZ VVP-2 in the Boreal period which probably ended at the transition to the Atlantic period. The depths of the sediments were also correlated to the sea-level curve of the Rhine-Meuse delta in order to provide further dating information. This method suggested a much younger and shorter sequence in the Atlantic, but given the difficulties of this method it is better to rely on the information provided by the sediments and the biostratigraphy. These results provide a more detailed timescale for the sampled sequence. In order to determine the possibility of Paleolithic and Mesolithic groups visiting the Vrouw Vennepolder the Vrouw Vennepolder was analyzed in regards to the resources and the ecological challenges it could provide. The tough ecological challenges it provides in the vicinity of the corings due to wetness mean that it is unlikely that humans built settlements right there. They could have built them elsewhere in the Vrouw Vennepolder or outside of it and then used the area for hunting and foraging. The Vrouw Vennepolder would however have provided a large amount of resources, Corylus nuts in particular, meaning that nearby humans are likely to have exploited the area. The early and dominant presence of Corylus in the pollen diagrams could be the result of humans interacting with the environment through burning, but it is far from definitive. These results do not provide evidence for human occupation or exploitation of the Vrouw Vennepolder, but exploitation at least seems very likely.Show less
This thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century...Show moreThis thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century and placed in an overarching historical narrative that links them to Viking raids. However, recent archaeological research suggests that earlier dates are also possible. For example, the ringfort of Den Burg was recently dated to the 8th or early 9th century with the upcoming OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) method. I selected the forts of Den Burg, Oost-Souburg, Burgh, Domburg, Deventer, and Zutphen and analysed the construction dates based on excavation reports and subsequent data analysis. I also looked at the general characteristics of the forts like shape and the type of inhabitation to determine their similarity. I found that most of the forts, except for Deventer and Domburg, could be older than the late 9th century because they were dated with a terminus ante quem or the methods used indicated a broad construction date. This is because the construction phase of a ringfort is hard to date for 14C- analysis and dendrochronology are almost never possible. This highlights the importance of OSL research in the research of ringforts. I also found that ringforts in the Dutch Low Countries differ in general characteristics. Both findings challenge the narrative of a structured defence system against Viking raids, and show that ringforts have often been interpreted based on assumptions from the historical narrative. Instead, this thesis suggests that the structures were erected at different times, by different actors, and probably for different reasons. Thus, future archaeological research should apply OSL as a dating method and be wary of assumptions from the historical narrative. This way, we can establish accurate construction dates and get closer to uncovering the complex nature of these early medieval fortifications.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
under embargo until 2024-08-31
2024-08-31T00:00:00Z
Stable carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes are well-established proxies for the reconstruction of past diet and environment. δ13C and δ18O can be used to reconstruct the...Show moreStable carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes are well-established proxies for the reconstruction of past diet and environment. δ13C and δ18O can be used to reconstruct the plant-based diets of animals and seasonal environmental patterns. These isotopes are regularly measured in the non-organic component of tooth enamel, which is highly resistant to diagenetic alteration. Likewise, δ15N can be used to reconstruct trophic level and food webs. Up until recently, δ15N could only be measured on relatively young samples (<100,000 years old), because it requires organic material, usually bone collagen or dentin, which rarely preserves in the fossil record. However, in 2021, an oxidation-denitrification method was developed. This method allows for the measurement of the nitrogen isotopic composition of the organic material trapped in the crystalline structure of (fossil) tooth enamel. Thus, we can now measure δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O on the same aliquot of tooth enamel. Here, combined δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O isotope data from tooth enamel of 14 serially-sampled fossil equid (Equus sp.) third molars from the ~120,000-year-old Middle Paleolithic Neanderthal site of Neumark-Nord 2, Germany, is presented. Each tooth was sampled along the growth axis and yielded up to 26 sub-samples (total n = 259). Neumark-Nord is a well-preserved archaeological site with a rich vertebrate fauna. It has yielded a large isotopic dataset, which includes some of the oldest stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements on bone collagen. This study allows us to expand the isotopic dataset of Neumark-Nord 2 by serially-sampled data, which enables us to reconstruct seasonality for the Last Interglacial (Eemian; MIS 5e/5d transition). δ13C and δ18O of all enamel samples (n = 259) was measured using the cold trap method. Based on these isotope patterns, 72 samples (including all serial measurements of three of the equid teeth) were selected for δ15N measurement, to assess potential seasonal variation in the δ15N values of the enamel. The enamel δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O results are consistent with previously published equid collagen δ13C, δ15N, and bulk enamel δ18O values. A clear seasonal signal is present in the δ18O values of each tooth, with higher values in summer than in winter. This seasonal signal is absent in both the δ13C and δ15N values. This study shows that there is no strong effect of seasonal variation detectable in the δ15N values of nitrogen isotopes in the enamel of equids in temperate environments. This suggests that, in order to measure an accurate average δ15N value, bulk samples of tooth enamel from equids – and likely other large herbivores – in temperature environments do not need to cover an entire year of growth. In addition, the correlation observed between δ13C and δ15N enamel values seems to indicate that, in such environments, the mechanisms controlling carbon and nitrogen isotope fractionation are positively related. Lastly, this study improves the time-resolution of the Neumark-Nord 2 isotopic dataset, allowing for a better reconstruction of the past ecosystem by providing seasonal data.Show less
Drawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption...Show moreDrawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption develop in the northern Low Countries during the early and late medieval period (450-1500). This research is conducted using the Dutch Fish Bones (DFB) dataset, which includes the Number of Identified Specimens (NISP) of fish species and families from archaeological sites between 0-2000 CE. The DFB-dataset is subjected to aoristic analysis in 25-year bin categories to create a diachronic timeline. Despite potential biases and limitations, coherent with the presence of uncertainty within each assemblage and the underrepresentation of certain fish species due to differential preservation and the collection methods employed in archaeological excavations, the study offers valuable insights into regional fish consumption dynamics. During the period from 450 to 650, both inland and coastal regions displayed a preference for locally sourced fish. Freshwater eels, cyprinids, and perches were the primary choices inland, while coastal consumption mainly consisted of demersal righteye flounders and small amounts of herring. From 650 to 950, the coastal region continued to heavily rely on righteye flounders, while freshwater fish remained popular inland. However, there was a gradual emergence of marine fish consumption during the "long eighth century," likely influenced by trade and commercial hubs. Between 950 and 1200, the consumption of marine, migratory, and freshwater fish declined in the northern Low Countries, potentially due to the Medieval Warm Period and changes in fish populations. Despite this decline, there was a slight increase in codfish consumption, which may be linked to the growing trade of Norwegian stockfish. Urban areas witnessed a shift towards marine consumption between 1200 and 1375 in a period that can be called a gradual ‘fish event horizon’, rural areas, in contrast, exhibited a delayed increase in marine fish consumption almost a century after urban consumption surged. The development of markets and trade hubs played a crucial role in making marine fish more accessible in inland regions. The rapid growth in smelt consumption during the fourteenth century reflects the broader trend of rising fish consumption, fuelled by urbanization, population growth, and dietary restrictions. The formation of the Zuyderzee facilitated trade of the Hanseatic cities by providing an open waterway to the North Sea. However, human interventions disrupted the distribution of fish species, leading to a decline in freshwater eels. During the late fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, fish consumption experienced significant expansion phases. Herring, cod, and righteye flounders were consumed in larger quantities, driven by technological advancements in fishing techniques and equipment. The herring industry of the northern Low Countries grew rapidly, with Dutch vessels dominating European trade. Between 1650 and 1800, overall fish consumption declined due to conflicts, economic difficulties, and political instability. However, throughout the centuries following the fish event horizon, the pattern of high marine fish consumption has remained steadfast and continues to be relevant in modern times. These findings illuminate historical fish consumption patterns in the region and provide a foundation for future research, including enriching the dataset, calling for additional meta-analyses and isotopic research, and addressing knowledge gaps, such as the significant decrease in overall fish consumption in the period 950-1200.Show less
The aim of this paper is to critically examine the use and validity of the term ‘skull cult’ in academic literature. Since the discovery of the first plastered skull in 1953 by Kenyon, more...Show moreThe aim of this paper is to critically examine the use and validity of the term ‘skull cult’ in academic literature. Since the discovery of the first plastered skull in 1953 by Kenyon, more plastered skulls have been dug up from sites across West-Asia. Due to temptation ideas were opted for a shared tradition, which resulted in a grand narrative called the ‘skull cult’. As a consequence detailed information was overlooked, and local variation ignored. Due to the limited scope of this paper, twelve sites were selected for analysis, including: Jericho, Yiftahel, Kfar Hahoresh, Beisamoun, ‘Ain Ghazal, Nahal Hemar, Tell Ramad, Tell Aswad (Southern Levant), Abu Hureyra, Çayönü, (Northern Levant/ South-east Anatolia), Köşk Höyük, and Çatalhöyük (South-central Anatolia). The sites were first examined individually to provide a clear overview of each settlement. They were structured according to several variables associated with plastered skulls and skull retrieval, which are the following: gender, age, individual and/or group burials, findspot, headless and/or intact burials, skulls or cranium, and other skull manipulations (i.e., plain, paint, artificial modification) and decorations applied to the skull. Next, the sites were compared to each other to find potential similarities and differences. Gender, age, and intact burials did not provide sufficient data, and therefore, no speculations have been proposed. Headless burials did produce incomplete data as well, but the presence at most sites supports the act of skull retrieval practices at the site. Overall, the data showed the existence of analogies between sites, but these are outweighed by local diversities. In addition, the significant distance in time and space with regard to a few sites does also contradict the idea of one shared mortuary practice. Skull retrieval might have originated from the late Natufian period onwards, but over time local variations evolved to which people from each site attached their own unique symbolic meanings.Show less
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the shipbuilding traditions in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions underwent significant transformations. From 1000 to 1300, large cargo ships built in the...Show moreDuring the 13th and 14th centuries, the shipbuilding traditions in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions underwent significant transformations. From 1000 to 1300, large cargo ships built in the Nordic shipbuilding tradition dominated the maritime trade. After 1300 the supremacy in the region's maritime trade shifted to German merchants and the Hanseatic League, leading to the disappearance of the Nordic shipbuilding tradition and the rise of cogs as the most common cargo vessels in Northern Europe. Initially, the shift from Nordic ships to cogs was attributed to the latter's perceived better performance, as it was believed that it was technically impossible to build large ships in the Nordic tradition. However, this assumption was challenged when large cargo vessels built in the Nordic tradition were discovered. As a result, scholars shifted their focus from technical explanations to socio-economic ones. These socio-economic narratives linked the dominance of cogs mainly to their lower shipbuilding costs, as well as the commercial, political, and military power of the Hanseatic League. Besides the differences in building techniques, Nordic cargo ships and cogs had very different hull shapes and therefore differences in performance are to be expected even when comparing ships of similar sizes. However, a comprehensive performance comparison between Nordic cargo ships and cogs has not been made since most shipwrecks are only partially preserved, and the evaluation of ship performance requires a complete hull. The 3D model reconstruction of shipwrecks provides thus an opportunity to evaluate the performance capabilities of ancient vessels. This thesis aims to apply modern naval engineering approaches, typically used for modern ships, to assess and compare the performance of Nordic cargo ships and cogs using 3D reconstruction models. The goal is to determine whether the socio-economic reasons for the shift from Nordic cargo ships to cogs went hand in hand with an improvement in ship performance. To this purpose weight and stability calculations, as well as speed estimations and seakeeping calculations are conducted on the 3D model reconstructions of the Big Ship of Wismar, a 12th century Nordic cargo ship, and the Bremen cog, a 14th century cog of similar size. The results reveal significant differences between the Big Ship of Wismar and the Bremen cog in all the examined performance characteristics. Overall, the Big Ship of Wismar demonstrates superior transverse stability, speed, and seakeeping behaviour than the Bremen cog. These findings, together with the evidence from calculations on other ships and sea trials on full-scale replicas, indicate that the socio-economic factors had such a substantial impact on shaping the observed transformations in shipbuilding traditions, that they outweighed the reduction in ship performance. Additionally, cogs' key features, such as high freeboard, full hull lines, closed deck, and superstructure, appear to have played a crucial role in their supremacy. These characteristics not only allowed them to transport cargo in bulk, but also provided a defensive advantage against attacks. While Nordic cargo ships exhibited superior speed, stability, and seaworthiness, cogs were more suitable for meeting the social demands of the time. This thesis demonstrates that modern naval architecture methods can effectively be applied to 3D model reconstructions of ancient ships to enhance the understanding of ship performance in maritime archaeology. Additionally, it proves that evaluating ship performance can provide valuable insights on broader research questions, such as understanding the social changes that would have influenced and driven the transformative processes observed in shipbuilding traditions.Show less
Toward the end of the Late Bronze Age, conflicts, widespread migrations and climate change culminated in the collapse of centers of political power across the Aegean and the Near East. The period...Show moreToward the end of the Late Bronze Age, conflicts, widespread migrations and climate change culminated in the collapse of centers of political power across the Aegean and the Near East. The period that followed, the Early Iron Age, was marked by a decrease in settlement size, population, and interregional contact. These large changes are associated with a change in diet, toward a subsistence strategy of diversification rather than intensification. During the Archaic Period, climate improved, poleis start to form and a period of regeneration begins. By the Hellenistic Period, centralized power in the form of large kingdoms and highly populated urban centers exist, and long distance contact with Egypt and the Near East reaches an unprecedented scale. The question arises therefore if these large societal changes once again are mirrored by a change in diet within Greece. In order to investigate this, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis is done on human skeletal remains from the Early Iron Age sites of Halos in Thessaly, and Makrigialos in Greek Macedonia. From those same locations, skeletal material dating to the Hellenistic Period in the case of Halos and the Classical Period in the case of Makrigialos is also investigated. Using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, assessment and comparison of diet within and between the sites is done. Diet reconstruction based on skeletal isotopic data suggests that diet did indeed change from the Early Iron Age into later periods. All examined groups were agropastoral, with a diet based on C3 plant consumption and terrestrial animal products. At Halos, millet was consumed during the Early Iron Age, but not in the Hellenistic Period. As the climate became wetter, millet was no longer a necessary food source. Instead, there is evidence of marine food intake and increased consumption of processed secondary animal products, and possibly greater consumption of luxury goods. This could indicate import of food, as this would alleviate stress related to food production and allow for effort to go toward a more varied diet with luxury additions. At Makrigialos, millet remained a substantial dietary component from the Early Iron Age into the Classical Period, but animal protein intake increased.Show less
This research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created...Show moreThis research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created previously, consisting of the compiled data on ceramics sherds encountered during three surveys in each respective region. Assessing where these ceramics were produced, and how the different provenances are distributed throughout the landscape, gives insight into how the regions connected to trade routes, and how ceramics imported along these routes were distributed throughout the landscape. To this end, the proportions of ceramic provenances were visualised for each region and subsequently broken down for the Archaic, Republican, Imperial and Late Antique periods. The patterns observed in provenance proportions and sherd distributions across regions suggest that different regions were affected differently by the changes associated with the increased integration of the Roman economy in the Imperial Period. These changes appear to be reflected in the increased consumption of imported African ceramics. This is in contrast to more locally produced Italian sherds, which maintain a more consistent presence. These trends can be observed to a certain degree in all regions, although the changes are particularly pronounced in the Pontine region. These results lead to the following tentative theory: the Pontine region, as a more centrally located destination, was better connected to more distant trade routes, and thus affected more readily by the large-scale societal and political shifts of the Imperial period. Another notable observation is the increased variance in sherds provenances in the Potenza valley as compared to the Pontine region. This could be potentially explained by the theory that the Potenza valley, as a more isolated and decentral region, relied more on more “off the cuff” trade, while the Pontine region relied more on centrally organised, “streamlined” trade networks. Finally, ceramics imported from outside the Italian peninsula tended to be found at or near the coast in all regions, indicating that ceramics traded along more distant routes were exchanged less in intraregional networks extending further inland. Despite multiple weaknesses, which were mainly related to the necessary standardisation of the database and the resulting loss of detail, this research has granted new insight into the discussion around the degree of integration in the Roman economy and paints a more nuanced image that differs from region to region.Show less
Pollen grains and spores have a highly resistant wall than can preserve over thousands of years. Using this characteristic, palynologist research the past environments and human-environment...Show morePollen grains and spores have a highly resistant wall than can preserve over thousands of years. Using this characteristic, palynologist research the past environments and human-environment relations. For archaeology this is crucial information and often a general part of research on a site. As was the case at the Bronze Age burial landscape at Oss-Gewandeweg. At this site, only remains of burial mounds were left due to agricultural levelling. The remaining features, circular ditch fills were sampled for palynological analysis. However, the samples were taken from a sandy depositional context which is unideal for pollen and spore preservation. In this thesis, the reliability of these samples is assessed. If the samples are not reliable they will portray an false vegetational reconstruction. This has scientific and social implications. Palynology is plays a role in the climate change debate and should be used wrongly because of this societal value. Two research questions have been formulated in order to fulfil this goal. The first research question was aimed to study the taphonomy of the palynomorphs and the effect the sandy depositional context had on the preservation. Besides the typical production bias and dispersal bias, the preservation context increases the differential degradation bias. The sand grains provide gaps through which water can leach and oxidize the pollen. The more oxidized the pollen are, the more susceptible to micro-organism attack. Biological degradation is thus also increased. The preservation states of the pollen in the samples also illustrated the poor preservation. The second research question included a comparative analysis between the ecological reconstruction based on the samples form Oss-Gewandeweg and Oss-Mettegeul, just five kilometres apart. The lower taxa diversity, absence of certain taxa and lower proportionality of certain taxa all point to a worse preservation context compared to the samples at Oss-Mettegeul. Recommendations for future research is to sample sediment which is dark-coloured and fine-grained. If samples from the Bronze Age ditch fill are required, phytolith analysis would be a great alternative. Phytoliths are inorganic and preserve better than pollen, spores and macrofossils.Show less
The god Aššur, the main god of the Ancient Assyrians, had two temples dedicated to him, of which the second temple is shrouded in mystery. The first temple was built in the capital city Aššur, and...Show moreThe god Aššur, the main god of the Ancient Assyrians, had two temples dedicated to him, of which the second temple is shrouded in mystery. The first temple was built in the capital city Aššur, and it was used for centuries, rebuilt and kept up by generations of kings. The second temple was built in a new capital, Kār-Tukulti-Ninurta, it was used for a couple of decades, and it was abandoned after the king who built it died. While much is known about this particular king, Tukulti-Ninurta I, not much is known about the function of his Aššur temple, nor why it was abandoned so quickly. To fill in this gap of knowledge, this thesis compares the two Aššur temples side-by-side based on their architecture, their recorded rationale, and their usage. Here I show how different the two temples are in their structure and what that meant for their usage, by drawing from the broader context of the Assyrian religion, the nature of the god Aššur, and his relationship with the Assyrian kings. The primary difference is their size, while further differences are seen in their style and lay-out, which likely correspond to differences in usage. I argue that its main purposes were threefold: it served as a (secondary) temple to Aššur, it was mainly used for processions, and the king felt a need to include the god Aššur in his new capital city due to the god’s importance in the capital city Aššur. Moreover, I argue that the second temple was abandoned because the god was too connected to the first temple to be moved, the main ceremonies and rituals could not be hosted due to its size so it became obsolete, and subsequent kings were not interested in using it. This is a relevant starng point for a deeper understanding of the god Aššur, why no further temples were dedicated to him, and in which ways the two temples dedicated to him are structurally different from other Assyrian temples.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
Towards the end of the third millennium BC, Europe underwent significant transformations. The production of bronze would change the economic, social, and political landscape, and marked the period...Show moreTowards the end of the third millennium BC, Europe underwent significant transformations. The production of bronze would change the economic, social, and political landscape, and marked the period known as the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age witnessed the establishment of a globalized network, facilitated by extensive exchange networks. Bronze, a highly sought-after alloy made of copper and tin, played a crucial role in these developments. It became the predominant material for crafting tools, weapons, and ornaments, leading to its widespread use across Europe, even in regions far from the sources of copper and tin. The increase in trade led to theories that human mobility increased significantly during this period. Bronze Age human has been subject to many studies, which generally seem to indicate that mobility did increase, and that it was mainly females who were mobile. To investigate mobility patterns during the Bronze Age, strontium isotope analysis has proven invaluable. Although the process of cremation, which was the dominant burial method at the time, posed challenges for mobility studies, recent findings have shown that strontium isotope analysis on calcined bone can yield reliable results. This discovery has opened the door for studying mobility in cremation contexts. Despite speculation about population movement in the Netherlands during the Bronze Age based on the analysis of non-local objects, no research has been conducted in the country utilizing strontium isotope analysis to study it. For this research, strontium isotope analysis was performed on a Middle Bronze Age population from Apeldoorn-Wieselseweg. Samples of the pars petrosa, long bone, rib, and dentine were used where possible. By providing new strontium isotope data, this research hopes to gain a better understanding of human mobility during the Bronze Age in the Netherlands, and place it in a wider European context. The patterns that were observed in the results, align with the broader discussions on Bronze Age human mobility in Europe. The presence of non-local females supports the theories on female exogamy and patrilocal organisation, suggesting that these females likely migrated to the community through marriage exchange. The presence of a non-local male and child could be evidence for a fostering system. Intra-individual variation has also been observed at the site, which could be an indication of mobility. These results are similar to those from other studies on Bronze Age human mobility. However, more research is needed on Bronze Age populations in the Netherlands to gain a better understanding of the movement of people in local, and global contexts.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The human hand is a complex structure that is heavily involved in many everyday activities. As such, it can serve as a useful area for activity reconstruction in the past. Though its function and...Show moreThe human hand is a complex structure that is heavily involved in many everyday activities. As such, it can serve as a useful area for activity reconstruction in the past. Though its function and evolution have long been studied, parts of it still need to be better understood. There is evidence to suggest that the fifth ray of the hand contributes significantly to grip strength and stability in a way that has so far gone largely ignored. The aim of this study is two-fold. First, it seeks to gain a better understanding of the function and use of the fifth digit in habitual activity on the basis of three postmedieval Dutch populations. Second, it investigates habitual activity and occupation among the individuals that belonged to these communities to gain a better understanding of the lives led by people in the post-medieval Netherlands. In order to achieve those goals, the study analyses activity patterns among hand entheses through the “Validated Entheses-based Reconstruction of Activity” (VERA) method. The method is applied to 3D scans of the hand bones of 43 adult individuals. Multivariate statistics, including principal component analysis, are used for the analysis of the entheseal attachment sizes. The analysis showed that the muscles of the fifth ray are recruited in both precision and power grips in different capacities. It suggests that the fifth ray is an important supporting structure that aids in the execution of power and precision grips through its opposing position to the thumb. It is also used to provide stability by pulling it towards the other fingers. The results of this study support the assumption that the fifth ray of the hand plays a crucial role in everyday manual activity. They also suggest that a deeper understanding of its role could provide additional insights into different kinds of grasping activities in the past. The analysis further showed that the three different groups exhibit different activity patterns. The lower-class urban individuals or Arnhem exhibit a trend towards more intense power grasping, while the higher-class urban individuals from Zwolle showed a tendency for precision grasping activity. This is consistent with historical records that suggest the Zwolle individuals had worked as merchants, investors, and in similar professions, while the working poor in the city of Arnhem were probably working in factories and in the local tobacco production. The individuals from the rural community of Middenbeemster fell somewhat surprisingly in the middle of the other two groups, with a sizeable number of individuals exhibiting precision gripping patterns. This suggests that, despite this community having mainly revolved around dairy farming, individual life experiences were likely quite varied. Future analyses of the fifth ray should expand on the groundwork laid in this study by increasing the sample size, looking into individuals from different contexts and time periods, and looking into potential connections between the fifth ray and the fourth ray, wrist, and forearm.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to study the prevalence of tobacco pipe smoking habits among individuals from post-medieval North-Western European societies. This was researched by comparing the...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to study the prevalence of tobacco pipe smoking habits among individuals from post-medieval North-Western European societies. This was researched by comparing the prevalence of pipe notches among the post-medieval populations of Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The results of the osteological analysis of human remains excavated from eight cemeteries are used: for Great Britain, the cemetery used by a low-status population of London buried in the cemetery of St. Mary and St. Michael Church, and the cemetery used by the high and low socioeconomic status population in Birmingham; for Ireland, a cemetery of Kilkenny Union Workhouse used by people from middle and low socioeconomic groups and cemetery on Spike Island used for people from low socioeconomic strata; for the Netherlands, the cemetery of the Grote Kerk in Alkmaar used by citizens with high socioeconomic status and cemetery of the Grote Kerk in Den Haag used by low socioeconomic status citizens; for Belgium, the cemetery of St. Rombout Churchyard in Mechelen used by people with high and low socioeconomic backgrounds and the cemetery in Kruishoutem used by representatives of middle and low socioeconomic groups. The collection of representatives of different socioeconomic groups from various cultural communities is compared to each other for the estimation of the cultural, demographic, and socioeconomic trends in the habit of tobacco pipe smoking in post-medieval North-Western Europe. These populations were divided into two age groups and three sex groups for the statistical analysis. The results demonstrate that pipe smoking was most common among low-status male individuals from three North-Western European regions: Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium. In the Netherlands, a high prevalence of pipe notches is recorded among adult male representatives of high socioeconomic strata. Moreover, a significantly higher prevalence of pipe notches and, thus, the expected regular practice of pipe smoking is recorded in post-medieval Ireland. The estimated rates from Great Britain and the Netherlands are lower but also substantially higher than the prevalence recorded for post-medieval Belgium. These differences can be explained by the historical and cultural specificities of the regions. Therefore, these results further support the theory that social, economic, and cultural factors had a major influence on the Cross-European spread and subsequent integration of the tobacco pipe smoking tradition into North-Western European countries.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
