In order to extend knowledge on the influence of a rich home literacy environment (HLE) on children’s reading attitude, this study investigated the unique effect of three predefined HLE domains ...Show moreIn order to extend knowledge on the influence of a rich home literacy environment (HLE) on children’s reading attitude, this study investigated the unique effect of three predefined HLE domains (frequency of shared storybook reading, parents’ exposure to literacy and number of books at home) on boys’ and girls’ reading attitude. The data, previously gathered for another study by means of standardized questionnaires, was used and counted 256 children from the Netherlands. A rich home literacy environment was a predictor for a positive reading attitude, however boys’ reading attitude was slightly more influenced by it than girls. Girls’ reading attitude was especially influenced by the frequency of shared storybook reading, whereas boys’ reading attitude was mainly triggered by the number of books at home. Parents’ exposure to literacy had a significant negative effect on the reading attitude of both genders.Show less
Introductie: weinig onderzoek is verricht naar de effecten van kwaliteit van gastouderopvang op de sociaal-emotionele ontwikkeling van kinderen. In de huidige scriptie zijn associaties tussen...Show moreIntroductie: weinig onderzoek is verricht naar de effecten van kwaliteit van gastouderopvang op de sociaal-emotionele ontwikkeling van kinderen. In de huidige scriptie zijn associaties tussen kwaliteit van gastouderopvang en het welbevinden van kinderen onderzocht. Om deze relaties te onderzoeken, is sensitiviteit van gastouders en globale kwaliteit van gastouderopvang gemeten. Daarnaast is de differentiële ontvankelijkheid van kinderen voor kwaliteit van gastouderopvang onderzocht. Methode: vraagouders en gastouders van 100 kinderen, in de leeftijd van 7 tot 42 maanden, hebben deelgenomen aan dit onderzoek. Temperament is gerapporteerd door vraagouders en gastouders. De kwaliteit van gastouderopvang en het welbevinden van kinderen is vastgesteld door observatie. Resultaten: er was geen relatie tussen sensitiviteit van gastouders of globale kwaliteit en het welbevinden van kinderen. Temperament van kinderen functioneerde niet als moderator op de relatie tussen sensitiviteit en welbevinden, maar modereerde wel de relatie tussen globale kwaliteit en welbevinden. Twee onderdelen van temperament, namelijk aanhoudende belangstelling van kinderen en neiging tot woede bij jongens functioneerden beide als moderatoren tussen globale kwaliteit en welbevinden van kinderen en jongens. In opvang van hoge kwaliteit toonden kinderen met minder aanhoudende belangstelling een hoger welbevinden dan kinderen met meer aanhoudende belangstelling. Echter in kinderopvang van lage kwaliteit, werd bij kinderen met minder aanhoudende belangstelling een lager welbevinden geobserveerd dan bij kinderen met meer aanhoudende belangstelling. Voor jongens met meer neiging tot woede zijn vergelijkbare resultaten gevonden. Jongens met meer neiging tot woede lieten verhoogde sensitiviteit zien voor kwaliteit van gastouderopvang vergeleken met jongens met minder neiging tot woede. Conclusie: temperament bleek effecten van kwaliteit van gastouderopvang op kinduitkomsten voor baby’s en peuters te modereren. Kinderen met een moeilijker temperament zijn ontvankelijker voor zowel negatieve als positieve opvoedingservaringen binnen de kinderopvang dan kinderen met een makkelijker temperament.Show less
This study examined the mediating role of parental involvement with school on the relation between parental education level and two child outcomes: academic work habits and social networks....Show moreThis study examined the mediating role of parental involvement with school on the relation between parental education level and two child outcomes: academic work habits and social networks. Teachers rated questionnaires were used to provide information on parental involve-ment, academic work habits and social networks for 45 children of second generation Turkish mothers living in the Netherlands. Results showed that parental education level and academic work habits were significantly correlated. No other significant associations were found among the other variables. Results did not support the mediation model of parental involvement with the school on the relation between parental education level with academic work habits and social networks.Show less
Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
under embargo until 2027-01-01
2027-01-01T00:00:00Z
Number sense is considered the start-up kit for learning mathematics and a lack of number sense causes serious numerical impairments. The present study describes two 9-years-old identical twins who...Show moreNumber sense is considered the start-up kit for learning mathematics and a lack of number sense causes serious numerical impairments. The present study describes two 9-years-old identical twins who experience severe difficulties with counting, comparing quantities and arithmetic. Test results showed that they had severe dyscalculia and that at least N probably suffers from the Gerstmann syndrome. The twins were given an intensive intervention to remediate their numerical problems. During 3 months, they played the Linear number board game and the Number Race twice a week during 15-20 minutes. Results showed little progress in the games for J, but almost no progress for N. No improvement was made on tasks concerning magnitude comparison, dots estimation, addition, subtraction, and number line estimation. The persistent number sense problem presumes brain damage. Possible candidates for brain lesions are the horizontal segment of the intraparietal sulcus (HIPS), the posterior superior parietal lobule (PSPL), or a small region of subcortical parietal white matter where fiber bundles related to symptoms of Gerstmann’s syndrome come together. Future research should indicate the exact location.Show less
This thesis is concerned with 95 weaving implements collected in a survey at the ancient city of Koroneia. It comprises of one bobbin, six spindle whorls and 88 loomweights. The bobbin and...Show moreThis thesis is concerned with 95 weaving implements collected in a survey at the ancient city of Koroneia. It comprises of one bobbin, six spindle whorls and 88 loomweights. The bobbin and loomweights (except for two) are put into suitable categories, based mainly on the typologies of Staermose Nielsen (2005) and Mårtensson et al. (2009). For the spindle whorls assigning them to a type has proven more difficult. Date ranges are proposed for the implements, but these tend to be rather unspecific, due to some problems regarding the dating of textile implements in general. Next, the technological side of the implements is assessed. The spindle whorls were probably used for very thick woollen yarns, and the discoid weights have proven suitable for quite a broad range of threads, while the conical and pyramidal weights were more suitable for finer yarns. The mapping of the implements under study has shown that the textile production in Koroneia was probably home-based, because the majority has been collected in areas that are thought to be domestic, including a villa-area. There are some exceptions, in which cases textile implements might be either funarary or dedicatory, or simply discarded, broken material. Hopefully more textile implements will be published in the future, especially with regard to their find context. This will facilitate the dating of similar material and might shed a light on the textiles that were used in antiquity.Show less
In mei 2010 vond aan de Woudselaan in de Harnaschpolder een opgraving plaats. Tijdens deze opgraving kwam een nederzetting uit de Late Middeleeuwen aan het licht. De sporen en vondsten die hierbij...Show moreIn mei 2010 vond aan de Woudselaan in de Harnaschpolder een opgraving plaats. Tijdens deze opgraving kwam een nederzetting uit de Late Middeleeuwen aan het licht. De sporen en vondsten die hierbij zijn aangetroffen vertonen kenmerken van een nederzetting met een adellijke achtergrond. De centrale vraagstelling voor deze afstudeerscriptie is dan ook of de aangetroffen nederzetting een adellijke woning betreft en of het misschien om het huis of slot Harnasch gaat of dat het hier een boerenerf betrof. Door het uitwerken van het in het veld verzamelde materiaal waarbij de veld- en coupetekeningen zijn geanalyseerd en de vondsten zijn gedetermineerd kon een beeld worden gevormd van de nederzetting gedurende verschillende fasen. Om tot een conclusie te komen is het archeologisch vondstmateriaal en de plattegrond van nederzetting vergeleken met zowel adellijke als boerennederzettingen in de omgeving. Ook zijn de resultaten van het archeologisch onderzoek vergeleken met historische bronnen. Uit de gegevens kan worden opgemaakt dat de aangetroffen nederzetting hoogstwaarschijnlijk een adellijke nederzetting was, maar er bestaat twijfel over de hoogte van de sociale klasse van de bewoners. Vermoedelijk betrof het hier bewoners van lagere adel. Tevens is het zeer waarschijnlijk dat de tijdens de opgraving aangetroffen nederzetting niet het huis of het slot Harnasch is.Show less
De sfinx te Gizeh, die heden ten dage uitkijkt op Cairo en in alle rust de drie welbekende piramides lijkt te bewaken, heeft vanaf de 4e dynastie tot heden ten dage veel aandacht genoten. In zowel...Show moreDe sfinx te Gizeh, die heden ten dage uitkijkt op Cairo en in alle rust de drie welbekende piramides lijkt te bewaken, heeft vanaf de 4e dynastie tot heden ten dage veel aandacht genoten. In zowel het Faraonisch Egypte als de Grieks-Romeinse periode zijn veel restauraties gedaan aan en bij de sfinx, en zijn zelfs in de loop der jaren structuren en/of teksten toegevoegd bij de temenos van de sfinx. De laatstgenoemde periode is bij de bestudering van de sfinx echter relatief onderbelicht gebleven en zal in deze scriptie dus de meeste aandacht krijgen. De vondsten die zijn gedaan door verscheidene egyptologen en archeologen komen in de verschillende hoofdstukken ter sprake en zullen worden geanalyseerd in de poging een verandering in de perceptie van de sfinx te kunnen constateren vanaf zijn creatie tot aan de Grieks-Romeinse periode. Door het combineren van de verschillende ter beschikking staande bronnen wordt geprobeerd een nieuw perspectief te vormen bij een bekend monument. Welke aanpassingen zijn gedaan aan de sfinx en waar leiden we dat uit af? Wat betekenen deze specifiek aanpassingen of aangebrachte teksten precies? Zegt dit ons wat over de manier waarop de sfinx werd gezien of gewaardeerd door ofwel de lokale bevolking ofwel het koninklijk/keizerlijk huis? Waarom hebben de Grieken en Romeinen zich met een monumentale structuur bemoeid die voor hen vreemd was? Na het kritisch bekijken van vragen als deze aan de hand van het aanwezig archeologisch en historisch materiaal kan geconcludeerd worden dat de sfinx te Gizeh door de jaren heen een zeer belangrijke rol heeft gespeeld in de lokale cultus. Er is daadwerkelijk een lange-termijn verandering te constateren in de perceptie van de sfinx aan de hand van dit geheel aan inscripties en aanpassingen. Hierbij kan wellicht de conclusie getrokken worden dat men vanuit zowel Egyptisch als Grieks-Romeins perspectief te maken heeft met een vorm van erfgoedmanagement.Show less
Nowadays Great Brittain is separated from the European Continent by the North Sea. This, however, hasn’t always been the case. Due to sea-level changes as a result of climatic changes and the...Show moreNowadays Great Brittain is separated from the European Continent by the North Sea. This, however, hasn’t always been the case. Due to sea-level changes as a result of climatic changes and the cyclical repetition of glacials and interglacials the North Sea Basin has repeatedly been exposed to the open-air during the Pleistocene. Numerous finds, recovered by fishermen and dredgers while executing their work, indicate that this glacial plane was inhabited by a wide variety of animal species. It is beginning to become clear, due to the recovery of worked flint material, that early human must have been part of the inhabitants. The importance of the North Sea Basin for archaeological research has repeatedly been stressed. The archaeology in the seabed is threatened by several activities that affect the North Sea bottom. The trawling of fish boats, the construction of oil rigs and offshore windmill parks and the marine aggregate industry all have a huge effect on the seabed, possibly destroying archaeological remains while executed. The actual implementation of archaeological fieldwork as part of these bottom stirring activities is minimal and mainly focused on maritime archaeology. The goal of this thesis is to explore the possibilities for palaeolithic research in the North Sea Basin. It does so by analyzing archaeological research on-land and it’s possibilities for offshore archaeology and by evaluating different projects that have been set up over the last year to improve Paleolithic archaeological research on the North Sea bed over the border. In this way the strengths and weaknesses of the research as it is executed this days can be reviewed. The outcome should lead to new insights and a best-practice for setting up a solid archaeological research strategy before the execution of bottom disturbing activities. Crucial to this research strategy is a multidisciplinary approach in which the potential of all executed steps is explored. Recent research methods can be improved by changing the current focus on the object to a focus on the context of archaeological remains. Paleolithic material is useless without knowledge about the landscape and environment in which it has been used and deposited.Show less
From the second century BC and the second century AD the Xiongnu lived in the region that is now modern Mongolia, Southern Russia and North China. They were a powerful entity that was North of the...Show moreFrom the second century BC and the second century AD the Xiongnu lived in the region that is now modern Mongolia, Southern Russia and North China. They were a powerful entity that was North of the Han empire. The written sources from the Han dynasty show us that the Xiongnu tribe was hierarchically ordered, with the chanyu at the top. The status of the chanyu was hereditary. This made the Xiongnu empire the first and most stable steppe empire that has ever existed. In the graveyards from the Xiongnu there are tombs of several sizes and types. I’ve investigated these differences through by focussing on square tomb and one circular tomb in four case studies with a model to get insight into the spaces were grave goods and animal sacrifices are deposited. In these case studies I explored the similarities and differences between these tombs, that vary in their size. By comparing these tombs I hoped to get insight in the mortuary ritual. I’ve compared the tombs through their size, artefact assemblage and offers that are placed in spaces in the tomb. To get an answer to the assumption that tomb size is a indication for the status of the buried person and if there are other markers that can point to a higher status in society. In the historical sources there are several accounts that a carriage and loads of other items were given to the chanyu and his family by the Han emperor. This indicates that tombs with carriages inside might be attributed to the highest members of society. The results of this study show that the largest tombs have some features that are absent in smaller tombs. These features are a carriage from the Han and animal sacrifices that are placed in a different place than the other tombs. The larger tombs also seem to have more animal sacrifices compared to the smaller ones. Therefore there are more indications for a high status than just the size of the tomb.Show less
In deze scriptie wordt geprobeerd een antwoord te geven op de vraag of de positie van de hond veranderde met de komst van het christendom in de Noordwest-Europese samenlevingen. Aan de hand van...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt geprobeerd een antwoord te geven op de vraag of de positie van de hond veranderde met de komst van het christendom in de Noordwest-Europese samenlevingen. Aan de hand van onze kennis over de heidense en christelijke religie wordt het vermoeden geuit dat men vóór de kerstening respect en ontzag voor honden had vanwege zijn rol in de Germaanse en Romeinse religie, maar dat dit na de kerstening verdween of zelfs omsloeg naar minachting als gevolg van de negatieve benadering van honden in de Bijbel. Uit historische bronnen blijkt dat er in de Romeinse tijd zowel negatief als positief over honden geschreven werd, net als in de christelijke literatuur. Uit de archeologie blijkt dat honden in de Romeinse tijd onder andere in rituele deposities binnen en buiten nederzettingen werden geplaatst. In de Vroege Middeleeuwen werden ze in reactie op de dreiging van het christendom in grafvelden begraven, waar ze vermoedelijk een rol als verbindend element met de godenwereld hadden. Archeologische resten van honden uit de Hoge en Late Middeleeuwen zijn teruggevonden in nederzettingen en duiden op een grote verscheidenheid in omgangswijzen met honden, variërend van gebruik als voedseldier tot vertroetelde huishond. Tenslotte wordt de conclusie getrokken dat de positie van de hond met de komst van het christendom in Noordwest-Europese samenlevingen op religieus gebied is veranderd, maar dat dit waarschijnlijk geen effect heeft gehad op honden in het dagelijks leven.Show less
The 1980s saw a change in the way people regarded archaeological interpretations. The realization that the public was not very interested in archaeological findings and the growth of heritage...Show moreThe 1980s saw a change in the way people regarded archaeological interpretations. The realization that the public was not very interested in archaeological findings and the growth of heritage tourism, along with a shift in theoretical perspectives, encouraged the development of new presentation methods. The use of narrative interpretations was a part of this change. Narrative interpretations are character-based interpretations that have a plot and take place in a specific setting or around a specific event. However, little research has been done on the response towards different presentation methods. The aim of this research is to find out to what extent problems that have been associated with using interpretative narratives affect the visitor’s experience. These problems are as follows: • The compromise of authenticity; • Inclusion of propaganda in the form of communal autobiographies; • Oversimplification of facts; • Inclusion or exclusion of multiple viewpoints; • “Adventurous” portrayal of archaeologists; • The use of narratives told in the present and referring to the past or narratives about the past referring to the present; • Reaching the audience. In addition, the research aims to evaluate whether interpretative narratives can be used successfully and if the public prefers them to other presentation methods. The data was collected through a survey amongst the visitors to three museums or centres that make use of interpretative narratives: the Provincial Archaeological Museum Ename, Belgium; Jorvik Viking Centre, York, The United Kingdom; and Dublinia, Dublin, Ireland. The results indicate that most of these presumed problems affect the visitors very little. However, they give cause for the reconsideration of how much space should be dedicated to displays about the process of excavation and if the archaeologist is suitable as the main character of the narrative. In general the use of interpretative narratives can be seen as successful. Most visitors prefer this presentation method to information panels. However, the results also suggest that the combination with other methods is desirable.Show less
The origins of conflict and the visibility of conflict in the archaeological and documentary record are the main focus of this research, illustrated by case-studies based on the study of the...Show moreThe origins of conflict and the visibility of conflict in the archaeological and documentary record are the main focus of this research, illustrated by case-studies based on the study of the literature written by the leading experts in the field of conflict archaeology. In the end the thesis should illustrate how conflict archaeology developed, how it has influenced present-day archaeology and which potential it has for the future while providing guidelines, ideas and inspiration for the re-assessment of the current archaeological paradigm regarding conflict archaeology.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The Florentine Codex is used in many studies to provide information on Mesoamerican social life, and as complementing and reaffirming archaeological data. However, the information in the chronicle...Show moreThe Florentine Codex is used in many studies to provide information on Mesoamerican social life, and as complementing and reaffirming archaeological data. However, the information in the chronicle has been filtered through a masculine lens and interpreted by a Spanish friar. To understand the possible influences of Sahagún’s representations of Mesoamerican gender relations, Goodman’s ways of worldmaking (1978) will be applied. This theory provides insights into the processes of knowledge creation which helps us to make sense of the way Mesoamerican culture is presented in the document. The inclusion of a description of early modern Spanish gender roles and ideals reveals, and urges us to rethink, the Spaniard’s and our own conceptual framed assumptions on gender categories. Next to this, additional data is needed to confirm or reject statements made in the Spanish document: colonial native documents will be compared and complemented, as providing insider views, experiences and practices of the ideal described in the Florentine Codex. Furthermore the purpose, application and addressees of the Florentine Codex guided the represented information towards an attempt of creating a new world made out of the ideals from a Western male worldview. Understanding how the new world is created out of the familiar Spanish conceptual frame, and of what this view is composed of, provides insight in how gender roles and man-woman relations are portrayed, identified and categorised and why specific aspects are left out or accentuated. Knowing this, and the realisation of the knowledge in the document, enables us to look more critical and in concrete ways to the document before we typify something as a Mesoamerican gender category.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
In the light of the current interests in hybridity in archaeology this thesis tries to find a transparent way to detect hybridity in grey-ware of Early Iron Age Iberia. This pottery type is...Show moreIn the light of the current interests in hybridity in archaeology this thesis tries to find a transparent way to detect hybridity in grey-ware of Early Iron Age Iberia. This pottery type is presumed to be a hybrid ware that has evolved from the influences of local preference for ceramics made with techniques introduced by the Phoenician ‘colonizers’. A case study investigates this issue in the grey-ware assemblage from the site of Cerro Manzanillo in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura. Clearly the analysis of this assemblage poses theoretical as well as practical problems. The obscurities around the parameters to classify grey-ware in the past together with a general lack of understanding about the boundaries and meaning of the stylistic evolution of material culture lead to the conclusion that hybridity is not a good concept to describe this type of material culture. Rather, hybridity can be used to describe the processes behind stylistic change although this is only a valuable classification when this term is defined more accurately.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
A cluster of rich Hallstatt burials in the Lower Rhine Area, geographically distinct from the Hallstatt culture region, holds a special position within northwest Europe due to their relative wealth...Show moreA cluster of rich Hallstatt burials in the Lower Rhine Area, geographically distinct from the Hallstatt culture region, holds a special position within northwest Europe due to their relative wealth and early dating (Roymans 1991, 10). The Dutch Hallstatt burials are generally considered exceptional because they contain grave goods imported from the Hallstatt Core region. The Lower Rhine Area has traditionally been seen as the periphery, separated both geographically and cosmologically from the Core area. Recent discoveries, however, have called this traditional stance into question. In this thesis the four richest Hallstatt burials in the Netherlands, those from Meerlo, Oss, Rhenen and Wijchen, are examined. All artifacts from these graves, including ‘ugly’ and fragmented ones, were inventoried and photographed. During this work several previously unpublished and unknown objects were discovered. For the first time there is now a comprehensive and complete overview of the artifacts from these burials. This revealed that these burial contain (versions of) a specific set of grave goods that includes horse-gear and wagon components, drinking and feasting equipment, sword,paraphernalia associated with personal grooming and adornment, and tools in the form of an axe and knife. Close examination of artifacts revealed signs of wear indicating (at least some of) the grave goods are curated objects. It also established that many objects were manipulated, bent, dismantled, broken and in general made unusable prior to interment. Grave goods and possibly cremation remains were wrapped in precious textiles prior to being placed in an urn. The construction of the cinerary urn was undertaken with great care and was conducted in a structured manner. The information gathered from the grave goods was combined with other archaeological and historical sources to reconstruct the burial rituals that resulted in these rich burials. This work revealed the burial rituals to have been visual displays of transformation. The Early Iron Age people were creating a specific kind of burial containing specific grave goods treated in a particular way. The burial ritual was a transformatory spectacle meant to create and portray a specific identity or personhood for and of the deceased. This work has revealed much regarding the four individual burials examined, and is intended to serve as a starting point for further research into the ‘Hallstatt phenomenon’ in the Lower Rhine Area.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The research is an ethnographic fieldwork in combination with a library research. The information that is used comes from archaeological, historical and ethnographical sources. The ethnographical...Show moreThe research is an ethnographic fieldwork in combination with a library research. The information that is used comes from archaeological, historical and ethnographical sources. The ethnographical research was performed in the province of Jujuy in Argentina. The native people of Jujuy are Collas. They have lost many characteristics of their culture, but they preserve some cultural traits, like agriculture, the gathering and production of salt, the making of traditional music instruments, weaving techniques, the cult to the Pacha Mama and many beliefs and rituals that are combined with the catholic religion. Textiles form a vital part of the Andean society. They have a social and cultural meaning and are used as a form of visual language that is understood by both the weaver and its community. All the aspects giving “life” to textiles, such as their symbols, motives, weaving techniques, the weaver, etc., reflect religious concepts and the social and cultural meaning that they have. Furthermore, textiles are fixed in the cultural memory and identity of the native communities of Jujuy. The cultural identity of theses cultures are materialized in their textiles. This Master thesis focuses on the native communities in the province of Jujuy, Argentina and how their inhabitants experience, live, practice and create their cultural identity through the practice of Andean weaving. The thesis tries to interpret the recuperation of this old Andean weaving practice as a constructor and invigorator of the cultural identity of these native communities.Show less
At De Heidekampweg In Stein, Limburg, The Netherlands, an excavation was performed which yielded remains from both the Neolithic and the late Iron Age. For the Neolithic Bandkeramik (LBK) culture,...Show moreAt De Heidekampweg In Stein, Limburg, The Netherlands, an excavation was performed which yielded remains from both the Neolithic and the late Iron Age. For the Neolithic Bandkeramik (LBK) culture, some special finds were present, which led to a new theory for people living on the borders of the loess. Based on the result of this thesis and current other research, autumn sowing was more likely to have been practiced in Stein. The remains of the late Iron Age showed a large range of low-growing weed species. These are found when crops are reaped very low on the stalk, which was seen as a possible indication for the importance of straw, although we have found no direct evidence for this. Also, almost no pulses were found, which seemed to have been a more general trend in late Iron Age in the surroundings as well. In both periods, it is clear from the weed species found that the soil quality of the fields that were harvested was less than optimal as seen by the presence of acidophilous plants. Because the amount of samples taken in the excavation was (too) little, certain statistical methods could not be employed. For future research, it would be interesting to look at the zoological remains of the site as well to see whether the results agree with this research.Show less
Tracing the origins of ‘modernity’ in the archaeological record has been an ongoing, and often heavily debated topic of discussion in the field of human origins for quite some time. Cognitive...Show moreTracing the origins of ‘modernity’ in the archaeological record has been an ongoing, and often heavily debated topic of discussion in the field of human origins for quite some time. Cognitive modernity – generally defined as the manifestation of complex language and abstract thought – is often inferred from various perceived innovations in material culture that are believed to indicate behavioral modernity (e.g. parietal art, personal adornment, bone tool technology, hafting technology, etc.). One of the more contentious facets of this debate is the subject of fire production during the time when controlled use of fire appeared to become a requisite component of the hominin technological repertoire: the Middle Palaeolithic. The mere presence of traces of fire on a site is not necessarily indicative that it was kindled by artificial means, however. To determine this, one must seek out the ‘tools of the trade’, which for this period were likely flint ‘strike-a-lights’ forcibly applied to fragments of sulphuric iron (more commonly known as marcasite or pyrite). Unfortunately, definitive examples of these tools are conspicuously absent in the archaeological record during the Middle Palaeolithic. Surprisingly, this trend appears to extend even into the early Upper Palaeolithic when modern human colonizers were pouring into Europe. In fact – contrary to the commonly held belief that modern humans were proficient fire-makers by this time – physical evidence of this technology does not appear with any regularity in the modern human tool kit until the mid- to late Upper Palaeolithic despite very regular use of fire by these peoples. One possible reason for this is simply hominids were obligate fire users (as opposed to producers) through the Middle Palaeolithic into the early Upper Palaeolithic. An alternate scenario advocated in this thesis is that both modern humans and Neandertals from the Middle Palaeolithic onward were likely able to make fire at will, but the tools they used to perform this task have not been recognized as such in the archaeological record. Drawing inspiration from the apparent ‘ad hoc’ nature of Middle Palaeolithic lithic technology, this thesis advocates what is called the ‘expedient strike-a-light’ hypothesis. It contends that early strike-a-lights were not formalized tools used to kindle numerous fires such as those recovered from later time periods. Instead, this study postulates strike-a-lights were either A) fashioned from simple, readymade flakes, utilized for only a short while – perhaps for just a single fire-making episode – and then discarded; or B) tools or small flake cores already on hand were expediently used as strike-a-lights. In this latter scenario, it is likely subsequent retouching of the tool would eliminate and evidence of it having been used to kindle a fire. An experimental usewear-based approach to testing the viability of this hypothesis was employed by analyzing the traces left behind on flint flake tools forcibly applied to a nodular piece of sulphuric iron for short periods of time using a variety of techniques with the express purpose of generating sparks. The findings were then compared with archaeological specimens exhibiting seemingly similar wear patterns identified during a comprehensive, low-magnification examination of the lithic collection recovered from the Last Interglacial (~120 ka) site of Neumark-Nord 2/2 (Germany). More detailed analysis using higher magnification found that none of the segregated specimens exhibited the requisite usewear to be considered possible strike-a-lights. Nevertheless, it is the author’s contention that this initial return of negative evidence in no way diminishes the value of this study. The rich and diverse body of data provided by this study, including detailed descriptions of usewear traces observed on both experimental flint strike-a-lights and the sulphuric iron contact material; supporting archaeological evidence culled together from extant literature; preliminary experimental statistical data concerning strike-a-light efficacy; and the novel methods outlined by the ‘expedient strike-a-light’ hypothesis, all combine to provide a solid foundation for future research seeking to shed light on the origins of man-made fire.Show less
In recent decades many European city centers have been (re)developed to accommodate the exponential growth of inhabitants. Roman remains are regularly discovered during construction processes, and...Show moreIn recent decades many European city centers have been (re)developed to accommodate the exponential growth of inhabitants. Roman remains are regularly discovered during construction processes, and their careful excavation can delay construction projects significantly. The 1992 European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage attempted to ensure the protection of archaeological heritage during urban (re)development. This has led to a rather strained relationship between urban planners and heritage managers. Better cooperation between these two stakeholders is necessary. In this thesis, key theories and concepts to improve cooperation are explored. On the basis of a mutual understanding of the similarities and differences between sociocultural and economic values, common ground can be found by the different stakeholders. Furthermore, sustainable tourism is an important concept. Recently an immense growth in cultural heritage tourism has occurred, also stimulated by the World Heritage List. Roman remains are among the most popular attractions, and are well represented on the List. Sustainable tourism is crucial to ensure long-term profit and minimal deterioration of cultural heritage. To create sustainable tourism in city centers, the theories of the ‘heritagescape’ and of the ‘experience economy’ are crucial. Attempting to create sustainable tourism in city centers with Roman remains is what will bring heritage managers and urban planners closer together. It is a common goal in which both these stakeholders’ values are represented. An investigation was conducted which consisted of a literature research and a field research. On the basis of a number of theories, the importance of sustainable heritage tourism was investigated from economic, social, and cultural perspectives. Important topics such as stakeholders, valuation, international legislation, and experience value are explored and explained. Field research was conducted in Rome (Italy), Bath (United Kingdom), and Cologne (Germany). It consisted of explorations of these city centers and interviews with the on-site heritage managers and project leaders. The information gathered was then analyzed. International regulations and valuations always need to be considered. However, through a common understanding of valuation systems of archaeological heritage it is easier to discuss the wants and needs of different stakeholders. Sustainable heritage tourism is beneficial for many parties, and represents many values. It can be created through applying the ‘heritagescape’ and the ‘experience economy’ theories. Fruitful cooperation between urban planners and heritage managers can be created by focusing on the common goal of creating sustainable heritage tourism.Show less