This thesis has as its main research question; the religious significance of tamales in Mexico during the Late Postclassic Aztec period (1430-1520 CE). This period was chosen because there are many...Show moreThis thesis has as its main research question; the religious significance of tamales in Mexico during the Late Postclassic Aztec period (1430-1520 CE). This period was chosen because there are many sources on the Aztec society and their religion from 16th century chroniclers. The writers and their work that I used in this study were: The Florentine Codex written by Bernardino Sahagún, and the book of gods and the ancient calendar written by Diego Durán. These chroniclers described the Aztec culture in detail, including the Veintenas (the months of 20 days, containing religious festivals for certain gods), where I have focused my research on. The study shows that the use of tamales in this veintenas, six of which I’ve discussed in the research, clearly are intertwined. Tamales were used in two ways in the rituals, as special foods, which could only be eaten on those days, or as offerings to the gods. What this meaning was, or as Rappaport (1999) calls it the sign, of the tamales in this veintenas, comes from a number of factors. I have argued that there were three levels that gave off this sign within the ritual. The first one was that tamales are usually made from maize, which was perceived as sacred and special. This was also the Aztecs primary source of food. The second signal was that tamales were eaten by a large part of the population on special days during the veintenas or on celebrations such as for births and weddings, so it was seen as special food. The third signal came from the filling that was used in the tamales. I have argued that these were closely intertwined with the deity, who was celebrated in the veintena. I also suggest that more research needs to be done into food in general in Aztec society, as this can give us more insights about their way of life and their religion.Show less
In this thesis we study the buckling of rubber beams. Buckling is the event where a beam spontaneously bends from straight to curved under a compressive load. The buckling of configurations of one...Show moreIn this thesis we study the buckling of rubber beams. Buckling is the event where a beam spontaneously bends from straight to curved under a compressive load. The buckling of configurations of one or more rubber beams are analysed theoretically. We deduce a model which describes this buckling for a beam if we apply a force on it. The model describes the deflection of the beam with respect to the straight line between the ends of the beam. Also it describes the relation between the force and the distance between the two ends of the beam, the force-strain curve. The model uses Hooke’s law and the balance of the force and bending moment of the beam. It consists of a ordinary differential equation for the deflection and a relation that can be used to calculate the force-strain curve before and shortly after buckling. After we deduce this model, we use it to calculate the deflection and the forcestrain curves for some specific configurations made of rubber beams with different boundary conditions. We first consider a single, hinged beam with or without a rotational spring attached to its endpoint. Next, configurations with more beams are treated. In particular, a configuration of two orthogonal beams and a configuration of many beams is analysed. The force-strain curve for a single, hinged beam consists of two parts, one steep part that corresponds to when the beam is still straight and one part with a smaller slope that corresponds to a buckled beam. If a spring or a second beam, perpendicular to the first beam, is added, the force-strain curve is similar to the case of a hinged beam. Only the buckling load and the slope after buckling increase. For a large network of beams there appears a peak in the curve at the moment of buckling.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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Western societies are affluent. Yet, the question is raised whether this affluence has made Western societies more happier. Sadly, this is not the coincidence and a critical look is being given as...Show moreWestern societies are affluent. Yet, the question is raised whether this affluence has made Western societies more happier. Sadly, this is not the coincidence and a critical look is being given as to why this is. Within, a partial look is given at nature relatedness and the claim is made that Western societies could be happier if there would be a disbanding of the human-nature dichotomy, and instead a recognition of our communion with nature would take place.Show less
Examination of the Imperial Potraiture at the time of the Tetrarchy (A.D. 293-311). I look at the different artstyles and choice of material. There is quite a sharp distinction between eastern and...Show moreExamination of the Imperial Potraiture at the time of the Tetrarchy (A.D. 293-311). I look at the different artstyles and choice of material. There is quite a sharp distinction between eastern and western portraits; of which the cause is explained.Show less
This thesis deals with basketry impressions on fragments of bitumen, gypsum and pottery found during excavations at the (Late) Neolithic (7000 - 5300 BC) site of Tell Sabi Abyad in Syria. It would...Show moreThis thesis deals with basketry impressions on fragments of bitumen, gypsum and pottery found during excavations at the (Late) Neolithic (7000 - 5300 BC) site of Tell Sabi Abyad in Syria. It would seem that basketry was produced on-site: botanical evidence shows that the required vegetable materials were readily available in the then fertile grounds surrounding the mounds, whereas hundreds of bone awls and needles suggest a range of on-site production activities concerning perishable artefacts, including textiles and basketry. After production, basketry artefacts were either used instantly as containers (and presumably as architectural elements, such as floor coverings and roof constructions) or used in the production sequence of other artefacts, such as bitumen-coated waterproof containers, White Ware and pottery. The untreated containers were used for communal storage facilities of dry goods, whilst the treated basketry was used to store liquids or to shape gypsum and clay into rigid vessels. Finally, diachronic analysis shows that different basketry techniques were introduced and used at different times at the site. The appearance of coiled basketry seems to have instigated a usage decline of bitumen-coated plaited baskets, as the former was used to shape larger waterproof vessels of gypsum and pottery.Show less
Figurines have been the subject of many archaeological studies and publications since the early 20th century. Studies in the past tended to be universalistic in nature and studied figurines mostly...Show moreFigurines have been the subject of many archaeological studies and publications since the early 20th century. Studies in the past tended to be universalistic in nature and studied figurines mostly as art objects. In recent years there has been a move towards more contextualised research and a move away from universalistic explanations. However, there are still some shortcomings in figurine literature. Site publications often lack synthesis into a larger temporal and geographical framework. Also figurines are sometimes still presented out of context and treated separately, as if they fall into a singular, special category, instead of being part of the artefact assemblage as a whole. New interesting themes in figurine theory have emerged, but these have to be critically reviewed and assessed for their practical use. Turning to other fields like sociology and psychology can lead to interesting viewpoints, but can also result in generalising statements which, in the end, do not help with interpreting an individual dataset. In this thesis some of the new themes in figurine theory have been chosen, namely: fragmentation, figurines and fire-related contexts, miniaturisation and schematisation and finally, materiality. The literature on these themes has been reviewed and subsequently the value and usability of these themes has been assessed by applying them on a case study – the (Early) Halaf figurines of Tell Sabi Abyad, Operation III. The case-study showed that these themes can lead to new insights, but only when taking a more contextual and practical approach. Some new research questions were also formulated which can be dealt with in future research.Show less
The site of Anse Trabaud, placed between the bay and mangrove area, has been observed during the fieldwork of Leiden University in 2012, during which the shell material of unit 7 was brought back...Show moreThe site of Anse Trabaud, placed between the bay and mangrove area, has been observed during the fieldwork of Leiden University in 2012, during which the shell material of unit 7 was brought back to be studied. The site is a pre-Columbian site, the habitation dated 700 to 1500 after Christ. The settlement was built on a sand ridge between the bay and the Morne des Petrifications, a mangrove area. The period of habitation was during the post Saladoid period, when the northern Lesser Antilles were less populated, while the southern Lesser Antilles kept the same population and even experienced some growth. The question that was to be answered with the research was: what can the shell material say about the subsistence strategies of the people of Anse Trabaud? The shell material gathered at this site is the subject of this thesis, to help find out what the subsistence strategies of the people of Anse Trabaud were. In the material there were nine most common species: Cenchristis muricatus, Chiton sp., Cittarium pica, Donax denticulatus, Lucina pectinata, Mytilopsis leucophaeata, Nerita tesselata, Pleurodonte formosa and Nerita versicolor. Most shell material was found in layer 4 and 5, which was most probably a shell midden, and in layer 8, which was the earliest layer of this deposition. Most shells that were found in the shell material from unit 7 were from the sea, with four species that were found in the mangrove and two from the land. The results from the analysis of the data that was gathered from the material leads to the conclusion that the sea was the most important for the subsistence strategies of the people of Anse Trabaud, most shells were gathered in the shallow water of bay. The shells in the mangrove were less important to the diet and the shells on land were probably gathered during other activities during the day. All species were probably gathered during specific seasons, to prevent over-use.Show less
Less-developed countries are restricted in effectively funding the conservation of their cultural landscape heritage sites. Other sources of funds are needed to complement government spending. One...Show moreLess-developed countries are restricted in effectively funding the conservation of their cultural landscape heritage sites. Other sources of funds are needed to complement government spending. One possibility is finding ways to use the benefits that cultural landscapes provide. The ecosystem services framework, which was originally used by nature conservationists, could be a useful analytical concept. In this approach, benefits from environments are divided into different types of ecosystem services. By integrating the different kinds of benefits in one framework, new and old possibilities can be analysed. As a case study, the Ifugao Rice Terraces World Heritage site will be analysed. Besides the agricultural products provided by the IRT, the Ifugao agricultural system also has other benefits. However, more and more terraces are abandoned and deteriorating. This is attributed to the insufficient income of the local Ifugao farmers. The yield of their fields has decreased due to the lack of maintenance of their terraces and irrigation systems, which they are not able to fund themselves. At the same time, their changing socio-economic needs require a higher income as well. As a result, many Ifugao migrate to other regions for higher wages. To increase the income of the Ifugao, cultural and regulating ecosystem services become additional sources of income. Cultural services are already being exploited by tourism, but its earning potential has not yet been reached. Tourism is highly concentrated in one rice terrace cluster, so tourism could be expanded to the other clusters. In addition, regional tourist taxation could be implemented. To exploit regulating ecosystems, a Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme has to be created. This can be done on a global scale through carbon sequestration, or on a regional or local scale through hydrological services. However, relying on these sources of income comes with its own set of problems. Despite this, the financing potential of the ecosystem services too substantial to ignore and I think they may contribute significantly to the conservation of cultural landscape heritage sites.Show less
Monte Albán Tomb 7 is one of the more enigmatic burial tombs in the valley of Oaxaca. It is still unsure as to why the deposits are so fragmented and what the grave goods might have meant within...Show moreMonte Albán Tomb 7 is one of the more enigmatic burial tombs in the valley of Oaxaca. It is still unsure as to why the deposits are so fragmented and what the grave goods might have meant within the context of this tomb. Many different theories have been carefully devised to explain the circumstances of Tomb 7 and for the purpose of this thesis, two have been chosen to serve as an explanation. The theories as they were put forward by McCafferty et al. (1994), concerning Tomb 7 in relation to the veneration of the cult goddess Lady 9 Grass as well as the theories devised by Middleton et al. (1998) which explained the tomb through the concept of grave reuse, will be applied here to shed light on the situation of Tomb 7. Both will be examined and then related to the concepts of ancestor veneration. Through comparing the theories together and attempting to find common ground they both share within the spectrum of ancestor veneration, it will be attempted to fuse the theories together to form one whole that might serve to explain the burial context of Monte Albán Tomb 7.Show less
According to the myth Pan was a goat-footed god, born in Arcadia. The origin of his cult also lies in Arcadia, and was most likely established during the seventh century BC. Within Arcadian...Show moreAccording to the myth Pan was a goat-footed god, born in Arcadia. The origin of his cult also lies in Arcadia, and was most likely established during the seventh century BC. Within Arcadian veneration he was deemed to have a pastoral nature, from which herding and hunting were the most important characteristics. An overarching aspect of fertility emphasized his importance for the reproduction of the flocks, the increase of wild game, and his part in initiation rites of the paides; the Arcadian young males. His cult sites regarded temples and sacred buildings, often in the surroundings of sanctuaries of other deities. The votives consisted mostly of terracotta and bronze figurines. During the early fifth century BC the cult of Pan was established in Attica, where his rural nature was diminished, as it was only still considered important at the country side. Simultaneously, his hunting aspect was converted into a military character. He joined the nymphs in cult, as they were worshiped together in caves, connected through their mythical love affairs, and shared role in the rites de passage of youths. His votives mainly consisted of terracotta and bronze figurines, wine drinking vessels, and marble reliefs. Thus, both cults differ largely from each other, as Pan’s Arcadian veneration was considered an indispensable aspect in everyday life, whereas in Attica his worship was deemed to be of minor importance.Show less
