This thesis presents a plant macrofossil analysis on fluvial deposits from the Middle Pleistocene site of Happisburgh Site 1, on the East Anglia coast of England. This analysis contributes to a...Show moreThis thesis presents a plant macrofossil analysis on fluvial deposits from the Middle Pleistocene site of Happisburgh Site 1, on the East Anglia coast of England. This analysis contributes to a greater understanding on hominin dispersals in Europe from around 0.5 Ma, and their preferences concerning the climate and environment. The research problem therefore concerns the ecological tolerance towards early hominins. In this analysis, two samples are studied from different trenches and of different sedimentary composition: HAP10-L8 and HAP10-L7sample8 section2 (the lowest situated sample of section2). The identified taxa are compared with former macrobotanical research on different samples from HAP10-L7section2. From the outcome of these macrobotanical analyses, it is clear that we are dealing with a small freshwater river channel within a complex river system with many different plant habitats.Show less
In this thesis an interdisciplinary approach was used in an investigation on the presentation of Classical Attic funerary sculptures in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. The Greek...Show moreIn this thesis an interdisciplinary approach was used in an investigation on the presentation of Classical Attic funerary sculptures in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. The Greek Department of the museum will be reorganised and therefore a new exhibition on the collection should be created. The research question of this thesis focused on the creation of similar, authentic experiences of the funerary markers as visitors of a cemetery would have in Classical times. Each individual chapter provided a different perspective on the realisation of these aims. First, a museological perspective emphasized on the origin of the collection from the Flemish Colonel Rottiers. An archaeological chapter provided amongst others a sociological background on the sculptures, which is important in the overall understanding of the objects. The spatial chapter investigated the capabilities of Space Syntax within museums. Here, a spatial analysis of the new exhibition space was performed. In the last philosophical chapter the aims of the thesis were discussed. These individual chapters all constituted to the formulation of an advice for the museum which was provided in the next chapter. In this advice, an archaeological reconstruction of a peribolos was combined with the spatial results from the Space Syntax analysis. It is hoped that this case study will be useful in the ongoing discussion on the presentation of the past within both archaeology and museum studies and that its interdisciplinary character will inspire other scholars in their research in the presentation of the past in museums and its role for the public.Show less
For the last couple of decades, Iraq is known as a country of war, danger, fear, hunger and terror. Three wars have occupied this period, bringing along terrible consequences. The chaos and poverty...Show moreFor the last couple of decades, Iraq is known as a country of war, danger, fear, hunger and terror. Three wars have occupied this period, bringing along terrible consequences. The chaos and poverty of the country, in combination with an destabilised authority, has made people to start large-scale looting of archaeological sites in the desert of Southern Iraq, as an alternative way of income. the antiquities they dig up from the ground are sold to smugglers, which again sell them on to collectors, museums and institutions all over the world through the illegal trade market. Unfortunately, the looting and selling of these ancient objects does not happen occasionally, but it happens on a gigantic scale and gets worse and worse. Entire villages, clans and tribes are involved in the trade and profit from it. Furthermore, powerful elites mingle in the trade, which is why it is completely intertwined with the country’s political situation. Starting in 1990 with the first Gulf war, the problem has never had such a magnitude as with the start of the Second Gulf War in 2003, and it is still increasing today. Not only is this process destructive for the archaeological objects, monuments, and science, it also further destabilizes the country as looting groups are armed, merciless, dangerous and powerful. Furthermore, especially during the 2003 war but also before, sites have been damaged by military forces and bombs, and museums have been robbed. This bachelor thesis explains what kind of archaeology destruction has occurred in the past of Iraq, how looting has developed and why, why it is so hard to stop and most importantly, how we can counteract it.Show less
Barnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological...Show moreBarnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological relevant while different early industries are situated in the same stratigraphic positions. This thesis is conducted to contribute to the understanding of hominid occupation in Lower Palaeolithic Barnham. This understanding is created by a research of pollen grains. 8 slides with sediment from a profile section of Barnham were analysed. In total 18 pollen grains and four exotic marker spores were identified, including pollen of Alnus sp., Corylus/Myrica sp. and Plantago sp.. This obtained data are not representative (at least 300 pollen grains must be counted for a representative research) and valuable to contribute to the whole understanding of hominid occupation in this area. The data can however contribute to the understanding of degradation, taphonomic processes and the understanding of bias in pollen assemblages. There are many processes that may have influenced the data that are generated in this research, among other things the selective transport of fossils and differential destruction, in which only the more robust specimens survive, must be taken in to account. In the soil, degradation takes place through different factors, e.g. by microbiological activity, by chemical oxidation, by mechanical powers or by changing temperatures. This research contributes to the awareness of the processes that are associated with the maintenance of pollen. Although the data in this research are limited, the pollen grains identified in this research still contribute to the understanding of former vegetation or landscape. Other proxies and different researches fields of past climate must be interlinked with pollen research, to create a better understanding of past vegetation and landscape in this particular area, and the understanding of climatic changes worldwide.Show less
On the location of the ancient Greek colony of Akragas (near modern Agrigento, Sicily), just outside the ancient city walls, an extra-urban sanctuary has been revealed known under the toponiem, S....Show moreOn the location of the ancient Greek colony of Akragas (near modern Agrigento, Sicily), just outside the ancient city walls, an extra-urban sanctuary has been revealed known under the toponiem, S. Anna. During the most recent investigations of the site several non-destructive survey techniques have been carried out to indicate presence of archaeological features on the field. The results from these surveys have indeed shown archaeological features which probably from an extension of the previously excavated areas. However, the results have been mainly treated as individual results and this thesis has opted to bring the data together in a comprehensive Geographical Information System. Thereafter the interpretations have been re-evaluated for new possible interpretations. This final step in the process has been aided by studying satellite imagery and topological features of the field. The analysis has clearly shown the that extensive analysis of the available resources yielded a more precise interpretation from the same survey results. Moreover, it be said that this study allows for a better preparation of future investigations on the field. The most important conclusion has shown that the modern surface level has significantly changed in time. Most probably, this is caused by decennia of ploughing from at least the 1960s. The conclusion can be mainly verified by the newly gained results of the core drillings executed in June 2014. This, once more, confirms the importance of the creation of a complete dataset which comprises all aspects, research and field conditions known from a site. Eventually, the director of the project has been advised on excavation techniques mainly creating awareness of the expectation that the archaeological feature possibly lie more shallow than expected from the previous excavation. For the more remote future after the planned excavation project it has been advised to urge the farmer to change the ploughing technique or to change the agricultural purpose of the field to protect the archaeology for future research.Show less
Veel nederzettingsonderzoek richt zich op de de nederzettingskern. De dichtheid van sporen en vondsten ligt hier hoger, waardoor men meer gegevens verzameld. Het is echter interessant wat er buiten...Show moreVeel nederzettingsonderzoek richt zich op de de nederzettingskern. De dichtheid van sporen en vondsten ligt hier hoger, waardoor men meer gegevens verzameld. Het is echter interessant wat er buiten dit gebied gebeurd, in de periferie van de nederzetting. In deze scriptie wordt door het beschrijven van de verschillende zones van een nederzetting de functies van de periferie beargumenteerd.Show less
This thesis presents a plant macrofossil analysis on fluvial deposits from the Middle Pleistocene site of Happisburgh Site 1, on the East Anglia coast of England. This analysis contributes to a...Show moreThis thesis presents a plant macrofossil analysis on fluvial deposits from the Middle Pleistocene site of Happisburgh Site 1, on the East Anglia coast of England. This analysis contributes to a greater understanding on hominin dispersals in Europe from around 0.5 Ma, and their preferences concerning the climate and environment. The research problem therefore concerns the ecological tolerance towards early hominins. In this analysis, two samples are studied from different trenches and of different sedimentary composition: HAP10-L8 and HAP10-L7sample8 section2 (the lowest situated sample of section2). The identified taxa are compared with former macrobotanical research on different samples from HAP10-L7section2. From the outcome of these macrobotanical analyses, it is clear that we are dealing with a small freshwater river channel within a complex river system with many different plant habitats.Show less
In Dutch archaeology prehistoric houses are frequently used as sources of information on past societies. There hasn’t been much research on the construction of these houses, however. Even though...Show moreIn Dutch archaeology prehistoric houses are frequently used as sources of information on past societies. There hasn’t been much research on the construction of these houses, however. Even though anthropological studies show that the construction of a house vital is in understanding the links between house and society. This thesis develops a chaîne opératoire-based methodology for studying prehistoric house-construction and applies this methodology to develop an analogy for prehistoric house-construction. The latter goal is achieved by studying the reconstruction of a Late Neolithic house that was built during the Horsterwold-project. This project is an archaeological experiment that aimed to gain insights in prehistoric house-building and tool use by building a reconstruction of a Late Neolithic house with replicas of Neolithic and Mesolithic tools. All the use of tools and building-processes were monitored during the project. The results of this analysis consist of a chaîne opératoire for the Horsterwold House; an overview of traces from production processes which can serve to diagnose these; and quantifications for several of the building-processes. These results can be used as parallels for understanding the construction of the original house, but also as a starting-point for the analysis of prehistoric house-construction. Since the methodology was an essential element of the thesis, it was tested by analysing an Iron Age house from Ezinge, Groningen. This test demonstrated the broad applicability of the model when studying prehistoric house-construction. The most important result of this study is that we should understand prehistoric houses as the end product of a dynamic interaction between a large number of factors in a complex entanglement of processes. This complexity offers opportunities to study the connections between a large number of factors through an analysis of prehistoric house-construction.Show less
Dit BA3 scriptieonderzoek gaat over het kasteelterrein Bleijdesteijn wat zich bevindt in Heenvliet. Het middeleeuwse aardewerk wordt bekeken en beschreven om hieruit daarna een conclusie te trekken...Show moreDit BA3 scriptieonderzoek gaat over het kasteelterrein Bleijdesteijn wat zich bevindt in Heenvliet. Het middeleeuwse aardewerk wordt bekeken en beschreven om hieruit daarna een conclusie te trekken over de te realiseren reconstructie.Show less
This thesis describes the economical situation in the 11th-15th Century during the Crusades. It researches how the rise and reign of the Mamluks influences the Mediterranean trade networks in place.
In dit onderzoek wordt gekeken naar de ontwikkeling van vijf kloosters gedurende de Merovingische en de Karolingische periode, beginnend rond het jaar 450 en eindigend rond het jaar 1000 na...Show moreIn dit onderzoek wordt gekeken naar de ontwikkeling van vijf kloosters gedurende de Merovingische en de Karolingische periode, beginnend rond het jaar 450 en eindigend rond het jaar 1000 na Christus. Het onderzoeksgebied omvat het huidige België, Luxemburg en Noord Frankrijk waarbinnen gekeken wordt naar het klooster van Sint Truiden in Vlaanderen, de abdijen van Nivelles en Thier d’Olne in Wallonië, het Luxemburgse klooster te Echternach en de abdij van Hamage in Noord Frankrijk. Hoewel eerder afzonderlijk archeologisch onderzoek naar deze abdijen is verricht is dit onderzoek er op gericht de resultaten van de afzonderlijke onderzoeken samen te brengen en te vergelijken. Het doel is het verkrijgen van een zekere consensus over de manier waarop het grootste deel van de abdijen die in de Merovingische periode worden opgericht zich ontwikkelen tot de overgang naar de Karolingische tijd en daarna tot het jaar 1000. Het onderzoek richt zich met name op architectonische veranderingen aan de kloosterkerken en overige gebouwen en de wijze waarop de terreinindeling van de abdijen gedurende de genoemde periode wijzigt. Daarnaast wordt zijdelings gekeken naar overeenkomsten in het moment van stichting, de personen die de abdijen stichten en de locatie die voor een nieuwe abdij gekozen wordt. Uit de resultaten van het vergelijkend onderzoek komt naar voren dat de abdijen in Echternach, Nivelles en Sint Truiden veel sneller groeien dan de overige twee door toedoen van een heiligencultus die ontstaat rond de stichter en de vele pelgrimsbezoeken die dat met zich meebrengt. Duidelijk wordt dat de indeling van de kloosterterreinen en vormgeving van de gebouwen reeds in de Merovingische periode weinig verschillen laten zien. Uitbreiding en toevoeging van karakteristieke architectonische elementen vormen de eerste stap van verandering aan met name de kloosterkerken. Op de kloosterterreinen veranderd de behuizing van de kloosterlingen met de behoefte mee. Door positionering van gebouwen en afrastering lijkt een eerste vorm van het klassieke claustrum al in een vroeg stadium te ontstaan. In de eerste helft van de Karolingische periode krijgen alle abdijkerken, die in Thier d’Olne uitgezonderd, een basilicale vormgeving met een drieschepige plattegrond. Verdere veranderingen aan het einde van de Karolingische periode bestaan vooral uit vergroting van de capaciteit van het kerkgebouw. De abdijen van Sint Truiden, Echternach en Nivelles worden groot en er is continuïteit in de latere Middeleeuwen en de moderne tijd. De kloosters in Hamage en Thier d’Olne blijven klein en verdwijnen na het jaar 1000. Belangrijk is het om op te merken dat de veranderingen, hoewel verschillend in omvang, bijna overal op het zelfde moment in de tijd plaatsvinden en dat hetgeen wat veranderd ook veelal hetzelfde is bij ieder klooster. Wat betreft het moment van stichting van de abdijen valt op dat deze allen binnen een relatief kort tijdsbestek van 81 jaar liggen in de periode tussen 625 en 706. De stichters zijn veelal aristocraten die het eigen klooster als manier gebruiken bezit veilig te stellen, inkomsten te generen en hun aanzien te vergroten. Bij de stichting worden zij in sommige gevallen geholpen door geestelijken die aan de kerk zijn verbonden. Als belangrijkste kenmerken van een goede locatie om een klooster te stichten komen de aanwezigheid van een rivier en vruchtbare landbouwgrond naar voren. Daarnaast hebben nagenoeg alle abdijen een hoger gelegen positie om de omgeving te kunnen observeren, bos in de nabijheid evenals weidegrond voor het vee. Als laatste belangrijke kenmerk voor de stichtingslocatie van alle kloosters kan de aanwezigheid van verbindingswegen tussen voormalig Romeinse steden worden aangemerkt. Deze steden in de nabijheid met een goede verbinding maakte eenvoudig contact en uitwisseling mogelijk. De steden waarin de kloosters werden gevestigd, met name Echternach, Nivelles en Sint Truiden ondervonden een groeiende welvaart door de ontwikkeling van de kloosters en de toestroom van pelgrims.Show less
During the years 1964 to 1966, the Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek carried out an extensive archaeological investigation around the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk. Traces were found...Show moreDuring the years 1964 to 1966, the Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek carried out an extensive archaeological investigation around the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk. Traces were found dating from the Mesolithic to the modern age. Part of the findings was a Claudian castellum consisting of wooden structures surrounded by a double V-shaped ditch. Unfortunately, the results were never published. In more recent years, however, suspicion has been raised about the supposed military nature of this settlement. The aim of this thesis was to revisit all the original documentation and finds and not only date this occupation phase more precisely, but also find out more about its nature and function. This was be done by working out parts of the excavation and comparing the results with other sites. It was found that there were three separate building phases, respectively dating unknown to AD 40/50, AD 40/50-70 and AD 70-100. Each building phase was quite distinct in its features and finds. Besides these structural remains, a pottery kiln was excavated that proved to be contemporary with the second building phase. No evidence was found that the aforementioned ditches were anything more than large pits. The first building phase remains unclear, but it was most likely a temporary form of settlement, probably in the military sphere. The features from the second phase can be linked to numerous types of military buildings, but the finds suggest a more civil function. Taking into consideration the local production of pottery and the highly Romanized nature of the finds, this phase was interpreted as a semi military settlement. A parallel has been drawn with sites such as Corbridge, which were civil settlements producing and transporting goods for the army and with Valkenburg, where civil and military settlements existed alongside eachother. The third and final phase is significantly different from the previous two, and has all the characteristics of the so-called strip-houses that are common in rural settlements in this period. The function of the town seems to have changed significantly around AD 70, and the town seems to have been transformed into a civil, rural settlement.Show less
Little is known about the Edomites, a people that lived in the ancient Near East during the early Biblical times. We have even less information about their religion. Horvat Qitmit is a striking...Show moreLittle is known about the Edomites, a people that lived in the ancient Near East during the early Biblical times. We have even less information about their religion. Horvat Qitmit is a striking site that consist of a shrine. It is one of the most important sites to give information about Edomite religion. This thesis compares the finds of this site to both ancient textual sources and the literature that has been written about the Edomites over the last 100 years or so. This results in a critical overview of what is known about the Edomites and more specifically their religion today; which information is outdated and has been revised and which information appears to be confirmed and can thus still be used today.Show less
This thesis presents and discusses the finds and features of seven Cretan caves, with a focus on the Minoan period: the caves of Psychro, Kamares, Skoteino, Arkalochori, Ida, Patso and Amnisos. The...Show moreThis thesis presents and discusses the finds and features of seven Cretan caves, with a focus on the Minoan period: the caves of Psychro, Kamares, Skoteino, Arkalochori, Ida, Patso and Amnisos. The data comes from old reports from the late 19th and early 20th century and later publications. To study the ritual character of the sites a theoretical framework is applied to it that combines analysis of aspects of ritual and symbolism with a comparison of finds and features from other ritual sites. It provides new insights on how to approach the material found in these contexts.Show less
There is a thriving trade in archaeological artefacts of which many are probably looted. This makes the trade a threat for archaeology as well as the national culture. This research studies the...Show moreThere is a thriving trade in archaeological artefacts of which many are probably looted. This makes the trade a threat for archaeology as well as the national culture. This research studies the beginning of the trade in archaeological material in the Dominican Republic, through interviews with huaqueros. A part of the huaqueros sell the objects, for subsistence or perquisite reasons and a part of them collects artefacts. Some perquisite huaqueros do also buy artefacts and serve as middle-man. Besides monetary motivation the pleasure the ‘job’ brings is also a motivation to keep on digging. The motivations for collecting artefacts are for educational purposes, to keep objects out of deposits or to prevent archaeological material from leaving the country. There is no set frequency in which searches occur. The searches of the huaqueros who sell artefacts last a day maximum, and all encountered artefacts are taken. The collector huaqueros also have expeditions that last longer then one day, with a more specific artefact selection. The subsistence huaqueros sell the artefacts as soon as possible, sometimes even under the price they value it, while the perquisite huaqueros negotiate until they get the price they value the piece. It is possible huaqueros do not only sell artefacts they dug up, but also forgeries they made. All huaqueros feel a connection towards the indigenous culture; an aesthetic, spiritual, biological connection and also a connection through habits, names and legends that are attributed to the indigenous peoples are identified. Since the trade in archaeological artefacts is still abundant the current measures regarding the prevention of huaquerismo and the illicit trade are not sufficient. Therefore some possible additional measures to reduce the illicit trade further are formulated. Additional measures should be taken in source and market countries for they are both responsible. Within the source nations it must be taken into account selling artefacts is for some huaqueros the only source of income. Additional measures should therefore focus on providing a new monetary source. Within market countries the museums should focus on more strict legislation's for auction houses and museums, to make sure the largest convergence settings are removed.Show less
Ramesses II, the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, fought a major battle near the ancient town Kadesh against the Hittite army. While he won the battle, he lost the war and had to surrender a...Show moreRamesses II, the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, fought a major battle near the ancient town Kadesh against the Hittite army. While he won the battle, he lost the war and had to surrender a large part to the Levant to the Hittites. Despite this long-term defeat, Ramesses decided to use the battle of Kadesh as an inspiration for inscriptions, including both texts and reliefs, on several temples in Egypt. The purpose of the inscriptions has not been very clear, since the texts are usually studied by Egyptologists, who focus on the content of the text rather than its function. Most explanations of these texts either describe the texts as a piece of propaganda or as apotropaic (i.e. warding off evil forces), but neither of these completely fit the inscriptions themselves. This thesis focuses on another possible way to understand the purpose of the Kadesh inscriptions. This will use two different theoretical concepts, the first being visibility studies and the second being linguistic landscapes. These concepts, often used in archaeology and linguistics respectively, can shed additional light on the purpose of the inscriptions, trying to find out for whom the texts were meant. With the data gathered with these theories will show that another interpretation can be given of these texts. Rather than being meant for people or evil forces outside the temple, they were meant for the god residing inside the temple. These were supposed to show the god that the pharaoh was attempting to reaffirm their relationship with the deities by keeping the order in Egypt.Show less
The archaeology of the Early Mesolithic period in the North Sea area is relatively still unknown. Human bone material from this area is fished and dredged at different locations in the North Sea,...Show moreThe archaeology of the Early Mesolithic period in the North Sea area is relatively still unknown. Human bone material from this area is fished and dredged at different locations in the North Sea, for instance the Brown Bank and the Eurogeul. This material is researched on the age of the bone, performed with the 14C dating method, for which the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) automatically are measured. These isotopes provides the possibility to reconstruct the palaeodiet of these people. The main question of this thesis is whether or not a diet is seen in the data of these samples, and if so, what the character of this diet was. The results of the majority of the samples show a diet mainly based on freshwater resources, with additions of terrestrial or marine resources. This corresponds with known data from other archaeological sites in Northwest Europe in the Early Mesolithic. These indicate a broad-spectrum economy; an economy mostly based on one specific resource, with additional food supply of other ecosystems. Although this analysis provides more information about the Early Mesolithic of the North Sea area, this dataset is small and there is no context of the material. The absence of faunal remains is in this sense a problem. However, this can be solved by using the stable isotopes of faunal remains from a broader context, such as remains from the North Sea in its entirety, the Netherlands and Denmark. Future research can possibly provide more and detailed information about these people of this area.Show less
Politiek en religie lijken door de gehele geschiedenis met elkaar verbonden. Zo ook in de Pre-Romeinse/Vroeg-Romeinse periode, in de vorm van federale heiligdommen. Hier kwamen de elite van de...Show morePolitiek en religie lijken door de gehele geschiedenis met elkaar verbonden. Zo ook in de Pre-Romeinse/Vroeg-Romeinse periode, in de vorm van federale heiligdommen. Hier kwamen de elite van de desbetreffende etnische groep samen om een politieke vergadering te houden. De heiligdommen worden genoemd in klassieke teksten als die van Livius. Maar een concreet beeld van deze heiligdommen hebben we niet. Het is niet bekend wat de precieze connectie is tussen de politiek en het heiligdom. Door enkele heiligdommen te vergelijken komen we in deze paper tot een uniform beeld en onderzoeken we in hoeverre de connectie tussen de federaties en het heiligdom. Het gaat hierbij om de volgende heiligdommen: – Tempel van Diana, Aricia (Latium) – Fanum Voltumnae (Etrurië) – Pietrabbondante (Samnium) De federaties, die hier zouden zijn samengekomen, zijn gevormd doordat er al eerdere overeenkomsten waren tussen tribale groepen. Wanneer een grote dreiging als Rome komt, spannen de groepen samen in de vorm van de Etruskische, Latijnse en/of Samnietische federatie. Alle drie de heiligdommen hebben een lange geschiedenis van de Archaische tot de Vroeg-Romeinse tijd. Ze hebben elk hun eigen religie en zien er qua architectuur ook anders uit. De politiek is alleen in een korte periode aanwezig en na de Romeinse overheersing blijft het heiligdom bestaan. In de archeologie moeten we kijken naar de topografie, epigrafie, etnografie en archeologie om tot een uniform beeld te komen. Op deze manier komen we er ook achter in hoeverre er een connectie is tussen het heiligdom en de federatie gezien in alle gevallen direct, archeologisch bewijs voor de federaties mist.Show less
