This master’s thesis examines the context of the emergence and utilization of traditional Korean fermenting pottery called Onggi and explores the avenues for future utilization possibilities. The...Show moreThis master’s thesis examines the context of the emergence and utilization of traditional Korean fermenting pottery called Onggi and explores the avenues for future utilization possibilities. The research done so far on the subject has been neglected and understudied in academia due to the utilitarian nature of the vessels, casting a shadow on their historical and cultural significance. However, through a transdisciplinary approach based on the collection of data in archaeological reports, historical documentation, and iconographical sources, the history of Onggi vessels becomes apparent, highlighting its crafting and utilization through thousands of years. A chronological presentation of these vessel's functions and fabrication techniques starts approximately from the 7th millennium BCE until the present and composes a major part of this work. In an effort to overcome the gradual disappearance of this ancient technology, the Korean government has designated the craft as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and a number of potters have been nominated as National Living Treasures (NLT). Yet, in South Korea, a rapidly decreasing group of individuals are willing to learn and practice the profession. On the other hand, due to globalization, the demand for Korean fermented foods is thriving internationally, and along with it, a growing interest in Onggi crafting and utilization has developed. The presentation of three study cases will highlight the Onggi crafting and use renaissance phenomenon occurring on a global scale presently. Through ethnoarchaeological observations, this thesis argues that Onggi pots are a driver for innovative environmentally friendly endeavors for the conservation of food. As it becomes an imperative necessity for contemporary societies throughout the globe to explore sustainable solutions to food conservation and waste, this study suggests drawing from ancient technologies through archaeological research to inspire future possible solutions. Finally, the examination of the chemical modification through fermentation occurring in the Onggi pot is broken down for the reader to exemplify how uniquely the vessels interact with its content. This work thus encompasses various and major themes such as food technology, biomechanics, finding historical sources, utilizing scientific methodology in archaeology, studying Intangible Cultural Heritage in Northeast Asia, and environmental sustainability. Through the writing of this thesis, it is aimed to answer the question of whether the introduction of Onggi crafting and use on a global scale drive innovative solutions to food waste and food conservation In essence, the study of Onggi pots past in the present could offer unlimited possibilities for the future.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
In this study, five archaeological sites across the Netherlands from early medieval to early modern time periods were sampled to reconstruct past diet of the individuals found therein. The sites...Show moreIn this study, five archaeological sites across the Netherlands from early medieval to early modern time periods were sampled to reconstruct past diet of the individuals found therein. The sites chosen for the study were Alkmaar, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Klaaskinderkerke and Zwolle. The focus of the diet reconstruction was to analyze the childhood and adolescent diet using stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen isotopes (δ15N). Through the use of tissues which are underutilized in archaeological diet reconstruction, dental enamel (en) and dentine (co) in conjunction, derived from second molars, it was possible to obtain isotopic ratios representative of childhood diet (enamel) and adolescent diet (dentine collagen). The results obtained were then used to analyze trends between the sites, between assigned sex and statistical relationships which served to provide grounds for further improvement of the methodology. Sampling and analysis of enamel was 100% successful, while sampling and analysis of collagen was 89% successful. The respective 76 and 68 samples were analyzed using a mass spectrometer and returned with reliable values. Results of intersite comparison aligned the, obtained results with past published literature regarding historical trends found in across the analyzed time periods, including increased consumption of marine fish in younger and more urban sites. Comparison of male and female assigned individuals has shown significant overlap between their values, suggesting that male and female individuals from the sites analyzed shared very similar diets during their childhood and adolescence. The investigation of isotope spacing of carbon values (Δen-co) allowed for determining that the diets of individuals analyzed was in large portion plant based, with significant inclusion of omnivore and marine foods as determined by isotopic ratios of carbon-13 and nitrogen-15. Analysis of statistical relationships between δ13Cen, δ13Cco and Δen-co has found a lack of correlation between δ13Cen δ13Cco, a positive correlation between Δen-co and δ13Cen and a negative correlation between Δen-co and δ13Cco. Follow-up studies should continue to investigate the recorded isotopic ratios in dental tissues, utilizing first and third molars as sources of further data capable of reconstructing sub-adult diet, as well as analyze local fauna to improve the accuracy of dietary reconstruction. The use of first and third molar isotopic ratios would also prove invaluable for investigating the statistical relationship between the tissues, due to the age of dental development and its relationship to diet reconstruction.Show less
In the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period...Show moreIn the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period. Part of multiple Roman fortifications along the Limes dating from 40 A.D. onwards, the cemetery was likely used as a burial ground for inhabitants of the Valkenburg fort or nearby vicus, a civilian settlement. The cemetery comprised at least 250 cremated individuals as well as 47 inhumations, which is a striking find that contradicts the common Roman practice of cremation. Due to these inhumated skeletal remains, the site provides an unique opportunity to employ osteoarchaeological analysis to reconstruct the lives of individuals that lived in the Roman Frontier region. This thesis utilizes cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis to infer activity patterns among individuals at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery, as current research on the differences in bone geometry between different demographic groups within Roman communities in the Lower Rhine area is limited. The study further investigates the factors and potential activity patterns that might influence those variations, such as biological age and sex. To do so, it builds on the initial osteoarchaeological study conducted by Lonnée and Maat (1998), who reported the estimated sex and age-at-death of each individual. Following this, each relevant bone in the upper and lower limbs was measured on various points to generate the indices for each point of measurement, as well as calculate the percentage directional asymmetry (DA%) and absolute asymmetry (AA%). The resulting values were then compared statistically between the biological sexes and age-at-death categories. While statistical significance is limited, the interpretation of data highlights the potential of these analyses in inferring activity patterns. Results from the analysis indicate that males tend to display more robust and symmetric upper and lower limbs than females, which are likely attributable to biological factors or a wider range of activities in males. Age-at-death categories exhibited inconsistencies with patterns described in other study, which is possibly due to natural variation or the limited preservation and availability of the skeletal material. Despite the limited number of individuals that could be examined, this thesis contributes valuable insights into the application of cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis in osteoarchaeological studies, complementing historical data and broadening our understanding of activities in Roman frontier regions.Show less
The study of human osteoarchaeology provides critical insights into past human populations, unraveling details about their lives. Often overlooked in archaeological studies, non-adult skeletal...Show moreThe study of human osteoarchaeology provides critical insights into past human populations, unraveling details about their lives. Often overlooked in archaeological studies, non-adult skeletal remains offer a unique perspective for understanding childhood and the impact of diseases over time. This thesis investigates the preservation patterns and diagenetic alterations of non-adult skeletal remains from three burial environments in the Netherlands: the Eusebius church in Arnhem (1350 to 1829 AD.), Broerenkerk church in Zwolle (1601-1830 AD.), and the church of St. Catharina in Eindhoven (1200-1850 AD.). Specifically, the study focuses on skeletal individuals from the post-medieval period, covering the years 1650-1829 AD. By using various methods, including bone differential preservation indices and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, the study examines bones to identify factors influencing their preservation. The research aimed to contribute to the archaeological record by addressing the under-representation of non-adult skeletal remains and associated challenges. The results provided insights into preservation patterns, with the Anatomical Preservation Index (API) and the Qualitative Bone Index (QBI) revealing significant variations across burial sites. Emphasizing distinct patterns in the percentage of preserved bones, Arnhem stood out with a high proportion of well preserved bones, while Eindhoven exhibited the highest percentage of poorly preserved bones. Chi-squared test analyses confirmed statistically significant differences between burial sites and bone preservation classes. The Bone Representation Index (BRI) shed light on the distribution and preservation of cranial and post-cranial bones, with consistent trends, such as Arnhem exhibiting higher percentages of preserved bones compared to Eindhoven and Zwolle. Specific cranial bones and post-cranial elements contributed to sitespecific preservation trends. Furthermore, the study explored the influence of age and skeletal elements on preservation patterns, integrating age categories and skeletal elements into statistical analyses. While some age groups showed no significant associations with preservation indices, others revealed relationships, contributing to a better understanding of non-adult skeletal preservation. The chemical analysis through XRF provides insights into the elemental composition of bone samples, with deviations from reference materials indicating diagenetic alterations. Notably, differences in soil-related elements across sites suggest the influence of geological factors on chemical composition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further explains these patterns, emphasizing the association between Arnhem and Zwolle in contrast to Eindhoven. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of non-adult skeletal preservation in diverse burial environments, addressing challenges and offering valuable insights for future archaeological studies. The findings highlight the need for diverse approaches in studying non-adult remains and contribute to broader discussions on diagenetic alterations and preservation biases in archaeological research.Show less
The Iron Age hillfort phenomenon, or the ‘oppidum’ as it is referred to in mainland Europe, represents an important shift in the spatial and political dynamics in the areas where they can be found...Show moreThe Iron Age hillfort phenomenon, or the ‘oppidum’ as it is referred to in mainland Europe, represents an important shift in the spatial and political dynamics in the areas where they can be found but despite the archaeological research going as far back as the 19th century, there still exist debates surrounding their function and what role they ultimately played in the socioeconomic dynamics of the people constructing and inhabiting them. In southern France we find them scattered across a frontier connecting the Ligurian and Celtic people to the Etruscans and to the Eastern Mediterranean through the Greek settlers who, after the foundation of Massalia around 600 B.C, form a permanent presence greatly influencing the material repertoire of the indigenous populace. Through the interactions between the occupants of the oppida with their local surroundings as well as with foreign cultures, and through the analysis of these monumental structures, it can be seen that the military function can be put into question and that the symbolic value may have been a more important factor to their builders.Show less
The study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to...Show moreThe study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to investigate and specifically model the spatial relationship between burial structures and houses during the Bronze and Iron Ages in North Brabant. Four primary questions were discussed: how these elements are distributed in space, whether gathered data can predict their proximity, how this relationship evolves over time and what this relation meant to these peoples. Using QGIS selected features from the sites will be used to create maps that show the relation between the different structures. These maps are then combined by period to create models based on the normal distribution the distances of houses from a grave structure. The research shows there was a trend over time and that it was possible to predict the location of a house based on the location of burial structure. The impossibility of knowing the meaning behind this relation was discussed, but two possible interpretations are given: the structures might have served as territorial markers or the location might have been tied to a ritual landscape and the houses. Finally the challenges faced during this research are discussed, including the need for more sites to enhance models an and the lack of adequately dated features is discussed. De studie van prehistorische begraafplaatsen in Nederland kent een rijke geschiedenis. Echter heeft eerder archeologisch onderzoek vaak begraafstructuren geïsoleerd bestudeerd. Deze thesis heeft als doel de ruimtelijke relatie tussen begraafstructuren en huizen tijdens het Brons- en IJzertijdperk in Noord-Brabant te onderzoeken en specifiek te modelleren. Vier hoofdvragen zijn besproken: hoe deze elementen in de ruimte zijn verdeeld, of verzamelde gegevens de locatie van huizen kunnen voorspellen, hoe deze relatie in de loop der tijd evolueert en wat deze relatie betekende voor deze bevolkingsgroepen. Met behulp van QGIS worden geselecteerde features van de locaties gebruikt om kaarten te maken die de relatie tussen de verschillende structuren laten zien. Deze kaarten worden vervolgens per periode gecombineerd om modellen te creëren op basis van de normale verdeling van de afstanden van huizen tot een grafstructuur. Het onderzoek toont aan dat er in de loop van de tijd een trend was en dat het mogelijk was om de locatie van een huis te voorspellen op basis van de locatie van een begraafstructuur. De onmogelijkheid om de betekenis achter deze relatie te kennen werd besproken, maar twee mogelijke interpretaties werden gegeven: de structuren zouden dienst hebben gedaan als territoriale markeringen, of de locatie zou verbonden kunnen zijn met een ritueel landschap en de huizen. Ten slotte worden de uitdagingen besproken die tijdens dit onderzoek zijn ondervonden, waaronder de behoefte aan meer locaties om modellen te verbeteren, en het gebrek aan voldoende gedateerde features wordt besproken.Show less
Minecraft has proven to be a valuable tool in the field of virtual heritage (Edwards et al., 2021; Langis-Barsetti, 2021; Politopoulos et al., 2019). This thesis explores potential collaboration...Show moreMinecraft has proven to be a valuable tool in the field of virtual heritage (Edwards et al., 2021; Langis-Barsetti, 2021; Politopoulos et al., 2019). This thesis explores potential collaboration efforts between academia and the modding community by first attempting to understand the perspectives of Minecraft mod developers. This study is guided by the research question: in what ways can the Minecraft modding community and heritage professionals influence each other? Four willing developers of historical and cultural Minecraft mods provided their perspective via questionnaire. Their responses are analysed with guidance from the established qualitative analysis methods: thematic analysis and narrative analysis (Bryman, 2012). Potential collaboration is then theorised based on the intentions, disciplinary bounds, and openness of both mod developers and heritage professionals. It is found that Minecraft mod developers and heritage professionals share many similar traits. Analysis of the developer perspectives also helped to reveal multiple ways in which collaboration efforts would be mutually beneficial. These findings are important, as this knowledge not only helps to introduce academia to the developer’s side of the Minecraft modding community, but can also be used by academics and mod developers to bring about future collaboration efforts that enhance both the modding community and the virtual heritage field.Show less
This study employs paleo data from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial, specifically corresponding to channel II sublayer 4c. The primary objectives are...Show moreThis study employs paleo data from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial, specifically corresponding to channel II sublayer 4c. The primary objectives are reconstructing the paleoenvironment and comprehending hominins' exploitation strategies within this context. The dataset analyzes paleolake chemistry and the climatic conditions leading to the deposition on channel II of sublayer 4c, facilitating local and regional environment reconstruction. Examining plant availability in the dataset illustrates their use in tool-making, crafting spears, and potential utilization for dietary and medicinal purposes, emphasizing adaptability across seasons. Through a comprehensive examination of the palaeobotanical dataset, this research elucidates the nuanced relationship between hominins and their environment. The study uses a mixed-method approach to preserve organic remains from a sediment sample from Schöningen 12 II sublayer 4c. The sediment, formed in a waterlogged setting, was collected from Schöningen 12, channel II, platform 4, sedimentary cycle 4, and layer c, sifted through a 500-micron mesh sieve during an on-site rescue excavation. The research design combines quantitative methods for sediment data and qualitative methods for literature review, referencing Duistermaat, L. (2020) "Heukels' flora van Nederland," and conducting an extensive literature review on hominin behaviour. The study recognizes biases, including data collection constraints, specific mesh size use, potential biases, and limited contemporaneous sites. The results reveal dominant obligated aquatic and waterside species specific to the lacustrine environment. The palaeobotanical dataset shows hominins strategically positioned at lacustrine fringes, utilizing the environment for hunting and possible plant-based sustenance. The investigation answers research questions on lacustrine paleoenvironment reconstruction, revealing shifting lake levels, low water velocity, alkalinity, and brackish conditions. The composition of aquatic plants suggests the sediment sample was collected from an area that was at a 2 to 4 meters depth, not far from the shore. An increase in Carex and Betula pollen in the pollen diagram indicates a disturbance leading to a change in vegetation. In this context, hominins hunted on the lake margins, as evidenced by the discovered spears in the animal bones context. The spear crafting reflects deep knowledge, with hominins favoring Picea and Pinus over other available trees. This choice demonstrates their understanding of wood durability and flexibility, crafting spears from denser old Picea trees with tips carved on the thicker end. This behaviour underlines their adaptability in spear crafting and deliberate tool carrying. The presence of edible plants and those with medicinal properties in the paleo data showcases the availability of dietary and medicinal plant use, emphasizing their seasonal presence. Dental wear and dental calculus indicate plant diet by the early hominins, while self-treatment behaviours reveal cognitive processes and potential survival benefits. The hominins at Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial corresponding to sublayer II 4c were hunters and plant users for sustenance and healing. These early humans were far from being mere instinct-driven beings. They demonstrated the capacity to recognize patterns, access long-term memory, and engage in enduring learning about their environment. In this context, plants served as a source of sustenance and potential healing and a continuous source of knowledge.Show less
This thesis will look at the prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement among three medieval and post-medieval populations from the Netherlands in order to identify a pattern or trend in...Show moreThis thesis will look at the prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement among three medieval and post-medieval populations from the Netherlands in order to identify a pattern or trend in the said prevalence. These could in turn be linked to biological sex, environment and historical period and offer new insights in the lifestyle, in particular physical activity, of historical populations from the Netherlands. The results of this thesis could in turn also contribute to a better understanding of femoroacetabular impingement in the modern age. The trend that the femoral heads of the males in this sample are significantly less spherical than in females may be related to a sex-based labour division. Males would have done the bulk of the heavy work which put more strain on their lower limbs. The most important takeaway from this thesis is that femoroacetabular impingement, in particular cam-type, is not a new disorder. It is present in a wide range of populations from different environments and historical periods. The activity levels and physical load on the proximal femur of modern professional athletes may be comparable to ancient populations who were involved in physically demanding professions daily. The environment and diet might play a larger role in all of this than anticipated.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
It is currently believed that there was no hominin presence on the British Isles during the Eemian interglacial stage, which lasted from 130 kya to 115 kya. However it is unclear what the reason...Show moreIt is currently believed that there was no hominin presence on the British Isles during the Eemian interglacial stage, which lasted from 130 kya to 115 kya. However it is unclear what the reason for this apparent absence is. This is especially the case considering that during the Eemian, temperatures in north-west Europe are known to have been several degrees warmer than even today, making it a potent habitat for early hominins. Several theories have existed in order to explain this, which include a complete absence in north-west Europe due to constraints in mental fortitude and an ecology that would have been unsuited for hominins to survive, as well as an early disappearance of the land bridge that connected France to Great Britain during the glacial periods. This was based on the fact that hominin sites that date back to the Eemian are exceedingly rare in north-west Europe, with the first examples only having been discovered relatively recently. This thesis aims to further explore these possibilities by making an ecological reconstruction of the site of Waziers, which is located in northern France and dates back to the Eemian. It does this based on carpological and palynological material that was found at the site. In addition to this a correlation of pollen records was made using several other Eemian type sites located in both France and Great Britain. This data is then combined with pre existing literature of other Eemian sites in north-west Europe with signs of hominin activity, in order to correlate these sites together so that Waziers can be placed in a wider chronological and climatological framework. In addition to this several other biological factors that were encountered at Waziers, are compared to the climatological conditions that were prevalent in the wider region as well. In doing so it was found the hominin activity that was detected at Waziers took place very early in the Eemian, when the stage had just transitioned from the Saalian glacial stage. In addition to this it could also be concluded that this early period was much warmer than originally anticipated. This could be seen in the presence of such indicator taxa as Lemna cf. minor, Hedera helix, and Salvinia natans, which could all be found within the vegetational record of the site. Because of these factors it is concluded that while there was already a hominin presence very early in the Eemian interglacial, which indicates that climatological conditions were at least adequate to sustain a hominin presence. It also shows that these hominins did not lack the mental fortitude to exist in these conditions, as was suggested by earlier theories. Despite this it is likely that, due to the high temperatures melting the land based ice locked in the glaciers during the Saalian, the land bridge that had existed between France and Britain during the glacial stage had already disappeared, inhibiting further hominin dispersal to the British Isles.Show less
Since the formation of the contemporary Northern-Spanish autonomic community of Cantabria in 1981 the Iron Age has become increasingly important for its regional identity, symbolically embedded in,...Show moreSince the formation of the contemporary Northern-Spanish autonomic community of Cantabria in 1981 the Iron Age has become increasingly important for its regional identity, symbolically embedded in, for example, its name and flag. Although this in itself can be viewed as problematic, it also fuelled more archaeological investigations into Iron Age Cantabria. These investigations have mainly been focused on Iron Age hillforts of which currently approximately fourty-three (43) can be found throughout the autonomic community. The relatively late development of this field of study is one of the reasons why this number is significantly lower than the other northern Spanish autonomic communities of Asturias and Galicia. Simultaneously, Eucalyptus plantations have become the dominant form of forestation covering approximately 8% of total ground surface and forming 19% of the total amount of forests in Cantabria. This vegetation cover is found predominantly in the coastal region, where few of the identified Iron Age hillforts are found and where the plantations encroach on identified hillforts, making identification of new hillforts more difficult. While new digital tools and data for cultural resource management have become available, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), their usage have been limited in this region. To address this issue the research poses the question: ‘How can available methods and tools of archaeological prospection and cultural heritage management be used in an integrated workflow to find, map and preserve Iron Age hillforts under Eucalyptus plantations in Cantabria?’. The proposed integrated workflow consists of narrowing down suitable locations for Iron Age hillforts through object-based predictive modelling (OBPM) and subsequently remote prospection of those locations to identify potential features associated with archaeological sites. To test this approach it has been put into practice. The proposed workflow proved effective, but has also shown limitations. The parameters chosen are most-likely not solely relevant for Iron Age hillforts, consisting out of Geomorophon, incoming visibility-index and out-going visibility index. Also the research focus on Eucalyptus plantations showed a variability of noise in the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for locations under Eucalyptus plantations, sometimes impeding readability of those areas. Nevertheless, the use of Sky View Factor (SVF) and the sufficiently narrowed down study area still proved effective in finding and documenting possible archaeological features, of which fifty (50) different locations have been identified with a variation of characteristics, all adhering to the set parameters. This suggests that the proposed integrated workflow is currently an effective tool in the finding, mapping and preserving archaeological sites near or encroached by Eucalyptus plantations.Show less
The First and Fourth Crusades of the 11th and 13th centuries were major historical events, with great influence on the geopolitics of their time. This study aimed to explore if following these...Show moreThe First and Fourth Crusades of the 11th and 13th centuries were major historical events, with great influence on the geopolitics of their time. This study aimed to explore if following these crusades specifically through their mortuary archaeology is possible, aiming to trace their routes and identify the burials they left behind in Anatolia, Greece, and the Levant. The research encompassed a detailed analysis of historical background, the course of the crusades, and their outcomes. Furthermore, burial practices in Anatolia and Greece during the 10th to 13th centuries were examined as a baseline for comparison with crusader burial customs. Despite the abundance of historical records pinpointing crusader routes and battle locations, the mortuary archaeological evidence remains surprisingly scarce. While a great number of crusader burials sites exist along the known routes, few can be directly linked to the First or Fourth Crusades. All identified crusader burials display noticeable similarities. This uniformity across burial practices complicates associating specific graves with a specific crusade. Additionally, the resemblance between crusader and local burial customs in Greece and Anatolia makes it difficult to identify graves as being crusader and results in a lack of evidence in these regions. In contrast, crusader burials in the Levant demonstrate a firmer adherence to the Frankish standard, aiding in identifying the crusader burials here. In conclusion, while the crusades made an undeniable mark on the Middle East and Asia Minor's archaeology, isolating specific crusader burials to follow their respective routes proves challenging. Nevertheless, this study serves as a starting point, highlighting the need for further research to uncover hidden crusader burials and expand our understanding of crusader archaeology in Anatolia and the Levant. The available historical data presents ample opportunities for further archaeological research in these regions, offering prospects for greater insights into the crusades' archaeology.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
Diet has been one of the main drivers in the origin, evolution, and behaviour of our ancestors. Key moments in our evolutionary trajectory have been linked to changes in diet. These evolutionary...Show moreDiet has been one of the main drivers in the origin, evolution, and behaviour of our ancestors. Key moments in our evolutionary trajectory have been linked to changes in diet. These evolutionary developments include an increase in brain size, changes in habitat choice, adaptations in body size, and changes in life history. However, the Pleistocene archaeological record is highly fragmentary. To complement this lack of data, archaeology and ethnography have been combined for over decades. The predominant part of studies investigating early Homo subsistence behaviours and nutrition have focused on extant foraging populations from the African savannas to develop substantial models of human behavioural evolution. Though, studies focusing on hunter-gatherer nutrition have significantly undervalued the variability that is present within foraging diets. Furthermore, the rainforest-type environment is largely rejected its crucial role in the evolution of our lineage. The predominant part of studies have based their analyses on large-scale dietary indexes. Some authors have assumed that taken on aggregate, the average hunter-gatherer dietary profile can be recruited as a universal, ancestral diet. This led to the formation of the so-called Paleodiet movement, that attempts to help solve and understand public health issues known as the diseases of civilization such as obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. However, it remains unclear what a uniform, ancestral Paleodiet should look like, or whether such a concept is feasible. Here, we show that hunter-gatherer nutrition is highly variable in nature, and that no uniformly applicable Paleodiet exists. By conducting a high-resolution macronutrient analysis on 30 wild edible plant taxa used by the Baka forager-horticulturalists from Southeastern Cameroon, we have shown that the nutritional qualities of wild edible plants are greatly affected by the effects of habitat and plant age, on a within- and between species level. Furthermore, we found that previously established aggregate hunter-gatherer nutritional profiles greatly differ from the reconstructed dietary- and macronutrient profiles established for the Baka. As Baka rainforest nutrition could be reverse-engineered, we illustrate that the Congo Basin rainforest-type environment provides enough macronutrients for hominins to sustain themselves without the aid of agriculture, and that the rainforest-type environment has been a crucial environment for the evolution of our lineage. Carbohydrates from starchy tubers are proposed to play a key role in Baka nutrition. Such underground storage organs are argued to have been important to early hominin nutrition within African rainforests. Public health studies may benefit by shifting their focus towards other components of Western lifestyle as more important contributors to diseases of civilization such as physical activity, stress, time spent outdoor, and overconsumption. We anticipate that future studies on extant foraging diet may greatly benefit from supplementing their use of large-scale hunter-gatherer nutritional indexes with high-resolution chemical nutritional data, as well as data 148 on weight of food brought back to camp, and estimated consumption patterns, to broaden our understanding on Pleistocene subsistence behaviour. We stimulate other research to partake in multi-disciplinary discourse for more increasingly diverse and inclusive narratives on human nutrition, Pleistocene subsistence behaviours, and human evolution. Lastly, to fully understand the influences of hominin dietary practices on the trajectory of our own evolution, it is imperative to acknowledge the plurality of both extant- and extinct hunter-gatherer lifeways, and to project a similar range of variability onto Pleistocene behaviours across different habitats.Show less
Magic has been a much-debated topic over the last centuries. This thesis discusses the disappearance and return of magic in academic discourse and evaluates it through a theoretical framework for...Show moreMagic has been a much-debated topic over the last centuries. This thesis discusses the disappearance and return of magic in academic discourse and evaluates it through a theoretical framework for scientific inquiry. Finally, it aims to evaluate the use of magic as an interpretative theme in archaeology. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw many new theories and approaches to the subject. Influential anthropologists and sociologists released theories that were mainly based on evolutionist ideals. The rejection of these ideals, the problematic classification of witchcraft, sorcery and magic, and its adoption in modern media contributed to the disappearance of magic in academic discourse. In archaeology, these changes can be seen by studying Palaeolithic art. The return can be seen from 1990 to 2010 by its adoption in more archaeological research. These studies primarily focussed on the Mediterranean and failed to incorporate materiality fully. The full return of magic can be observed in the 2010s when publications specifically focused on the materiality of magic over a larger geographical and cultural area. This return resulted from a paradigm shift in anthropology where magic was now studied from a magical Worldview or consciousness instead of a rational Western worldview. An increase in material culture studies with the adoption of object agency and recognising the marginalisation of magic also contributed to the return. Object agency also contributed significantly to recognising the importance of portable artefacts in Palaeolithic art. The rise of material culture studies, its adoption of Latour’s Actor-Network Theory, and the shift in anthropology can be explained as two paradigm shifts vital for the return of magic in academic discourse. Magic can serve as a quality of practices and materials that can highlight certain features of materiality, potency, and verbal or ritual performance that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Magic is a tool to understand ancient practices and materials better. Archaeology has much to contribute to studying magic through material studies and archaeological contextsShow less
This thesis evaluates an exhibition at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam called Face to Face: The People Behind Mummy Portraits. Mummy portraits were made on wooden panels or linen in Egypt...Show moreThis thesis evaluates an exhibition at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam called Face to Face: The People Behind Mummy Portraits. Mummy portraits were made on wooden panels or linen in Egypt during the Roman period. They were inserted in a mummy or a cartonnage case. After their discovery in the late nineteenth century, most of the portraits had been collected, without proper documentation of their find contexts. Because of this, much is unknown about the mummy portraits. Additionally, they were also often removed from their mummies; thus only few portraits are together with their corresponding mummies. The naturalistic portrayal of the dead in wooden panels did not just gain attention from collectors. Many exhibitions have been held that showcased the portraits, sometimes without much information on their funerary context. Even the word mummy was avoided in some cases. These past exhibitions, along with recent new research collaborations on the portraits make the temporary exhibition at the Allard Pierson an interesting topic to study. Just how does the museum represent the portraits? To answer that question, the paper combines literature and the contents of the exhibition. The literature is used to provide an archaeological and museological context to the mummy portraits. In the archaeological context, the portraits are described and the terminology is explained. Related topics such as funerary art, ancient Egyptian history and identity are all discussed extensively. As for the museological background, this chapter focusses on the portraits in terms of their provenance, provenience, and exhibition history. Though this chapter also discusses museum theory. After both chapters on contextual background, the contents of the entire exhibition is described. Here, the halls and their contents are mentioned but not yet discussed. That is done in the discussion chapter, it which some of the choices in designing the exhibition are analyzed and critiqued. Finally in the conclusion, several key points of the presentation choices from the exhibition are analyzed. The way the museum portrays the portraits in terms of object category is an important example of that. It is argued that the museum presents the mummy portraits as art. The conclusion of the research is that the museum presents the portraits corresponding to the topic of the hall they are in, with much focus on all the different groups of people that were part of their history.Show less
Knowledge is scarce regarding the impact of the transition from Late Roman period to the Early Middle Ages and how this affected the diet of individuals in Late Roman and Early Middle Age cities....Show moreKnowledge is scarce regarding the impact of the transition from Late Roman period to the Early Middle Ages and how this affected the diet of individuals in Late Roman and Early Middle Age cities. Studying diet can help establish a link between cultural change and dietary change, giving a better insight as to what extent political, social, natural and economic shifts affected individuals. Isotopic values extracted from human bone remains from the sites of Castro dei Volsci (Italy), Portus Romae (Italy), Edessa (Greece), Helike (Greece), La Selvicciola (Italy), Romans d’Isonzo (Italy), Eleutherna (Greece) and Messene (Greece) and contemporary written sources from Apicius and Anthimus will give insights into the dietary composition and how this changed over time. Results show that during the Late Roman period people in both Italy and Greece mainly consumed C3 crops like wheats and barley, with the addition of some marine resources and terrestrial animal products. This changed in the Early Middle Ages as the consumption of marine resources in both Italy and Greece declined. Besides the impact of socio-political changes, other factors like cultural changes, environment and migration seem to have influenced a person’s diet. Further investigation can help reveal a new perspective into a broader context of dietary change in the Mediterranean as well as help explain the dietary pattern of outliers. With this knowledge, future study could look into the impact that this transitional period had on the diet of communities throughout the Mediterranean as well as the origin of the outliers identified within this thesis.Show less
