Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
The material category of cremation remains is of high importance for archaeologists. For many time periods, cremation was the prime way of disposing the dead and therefore has significant value for...Show moreThe material category of cremation remains is of high importance for archaeologists. For many time periods, cremation was the prime way of disposing the dead and therefore has significant value for understanding burial rituals of past societies. Next to that, in many areas including large parts of the Netherlands, cremations are more often retrieved than inhumation burials due to their resistibility to acidic soil circumstances. Although highly important, knowledge on how this material can be of assistance in archaeological research is often underestimated or misunderstood. This study therefore gives an up to date overview of possibilities and limitations of the material. The second part of the thesis is concerned with the ability of cremation research to shed new light on the burial ritual of the Urnfield culture in the South of the Netherlands. Although Urnfields are a well studied phenomenon, relatively little is still known about how the deceased were cremated and how the ritual took place. This thesis therefore seeks to give further insight in the possibility to gain more insight into the performed ritual, based on the information which can be extracted by osteological analysis. The study focuses on material from the Urnfield of Maastricht Ambyerveld, used as a case study. Attention is put on the possibilities to integrate histological and tooth cementum annulation research in standard cremation analysis as well.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
Isotopic analysis has been revealed highly applicable to the reconstruction of past dietary behaviour. In the line of this expansion of the archaeological methodology however, it might be easily...Show moreIsotopic analysis has been revealed highly applicable to the reconstruction of past dietary behaviour. In the line of this expansion of the archaeological methodology however, it might be easily forgotten that scientific methods needs exhaustive background studies to substantiate the use of the method. There is no doubt that isotopic analysis can say something about the dietary input, however when applied to the past it is important to investigate changes in climate, physiology and behaviour that could have altered the isotopic signal. The aim of this research is thus to establish whether any significant variations in the background isotopic signal occurred at the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the Holocene. This is attempted by the use of an extensive database of isotopic measurements on fauna and plant organic matter processed through temporal, spatial and biome specific analyses. The results obtained did indeed indicate major variations over time and space. In the temporal analysis the results obtained supports previous published chronologies to some extent, but differs in key aspects since it fails to support the δ15N-depletion observed elsewhere (Hedges et al. 2004; Richards and Hedges 2003; Steven and Hedges 2004). The temporal analysis additionally adds to the current knowledge of temporal variation by observing a pronounced δ15N-depletion between 37.000 and 35.000 BP, possibly linked to the Heinrich event 4. On a spatial scale the latitude-longitude analysis showed that prior to the LGM the δ13C-increases with increasing northern latitudes, this is contrary to the observations made for the LGM/LGT and the Holocene. The third analysis attempted to reconstruct LGM, LGT and Holocene biomes and correlate the isotopic signals in the plant organic matter to these biomes. These enquiries lead to the observation that during the LGM the most northern biome was more depleted than the in the south, and during the LGT the biomes show inconsistent variation that may be the result of localised reactions to the deglaciation. This exercise showed that major differences occur between the biomes and that generally wooded areas have lower δ13C-signals and that the signal is generally lower in the Holocene biomes compared to the LGM and LGT. The implications of this research to paleo-isotopic reconstructions are significant. The exhaustive collection of variation factors can be used as guidelines when making interpretations on isotopic measurements obtained from archaeological assemblages. The extension of the chronology to 45.000 BP moreover is a novel addition to the discussions on temporal variation in current research. The result of this research indicates the necessity of a methodological change in the practical field of archaeology where attention is often placed on site based reconstructions using the hominin fossils as the representative of the highest trophic link, however as proved here it is just as important, if not more, to contextualise these fossils by sampling exhaustively all along the trophic chain from different regions in order to make reliable paleo-dietary reconstructions.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
In this study, published intensive field surveys from different geographies on the Italian peninsula have been revisited with the aim of developing a better understanding of regional differences in...Show moreIn this study, published intensive field surveys from different geographies on the Italian peninsula have been revisited with the aim of developing a better understanding of regional differences in demography, settlement pattern, landuse and how Roman society could have functioned. The field surveys/regions that have been subject to in-depth enquiry are Cisalpine Gaul, the Potenza Valley, the suburbium of Rome, the Pontine region and the Biferno Valley. The focus has been on the Late Republican to Early Imperial period. Models and interpretive concepts have been assessed that originate from archaeology, social geography and ethnography using archaeological evidence. The following seven biases hinder the interpretation and comparison of field survey information; (1) an incompletely identified nucleated settlement pattern; (2) questions on the size and urban make up of civic centres; (3) the precise size and location of field walked transects; (4) the reported sample/transect size versus actual field walked area; (5) the use of site recovery multipliers; (6) site typology and site population and (7) the integration of metadata from different surveys. The establishment and comparison of the demographic dimension have been shown to be challenging and problematic. The base case would be the inner suburbium of Rome, which was believed to have been the most densely populated region of Roman Italy. A bivariate statistical analysis for the suburbium of Rome suggests that the settlement patterns of the main centres are structured by landscape and have Archaic antecedents. Not all field surveys have been conducted at the same survey intensities and a ranking has been suggested for each region. High survey intensities can be argued for the Potenza Valley and the Pontine region and lower survey intensities for the inner and outer suburbium. The underlying rationale for obtaining a realistic multiplier, per site-type, landscape or region, including the separation between statistical and archaeological inference has not been sufficiently studied by archaeologists. The high-level view on demography, settlement pattern and hierarchy considers the majority of the population, in the range of 75-90%, living in the countryside. Moderately- sized civic centres of 12-30 ha in size were spaced at regular intervals, depending on landscape, facilitating a day-return trip, essential for the marketing needs of the people living in the countryside. Vici filled the servicing gaps in those regions with exceptional non-marketable radii. The size of the hinterland of the civic centres, excluding Cisalpine Gaul and the Biferno Valley, was in the 150-225 km2 range. A working hypothesis on the function of the civic centres would consider them as service centres. A banding-servicing view has been envisioned for the towns and market centres that could reflect different levels of servicing for local, sub-regional and regional centres. The contrast between Greek and Roman urbanisation ratios offers very fruitful insights for future research in the functioning of these two civilisations.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
In the last centuries the Hopi in general and their calendar and its accompanying body of beliefs, rituals and deities in particular have caught the attention of many non-indigenous people. Many...Show moreIn the last centuries the Hopi in general and their calendar and its accompanying body of beliefs, rituals and deities in particular have caught the attention of many non-indigenous people. Many publications have been written, though few of them contain the Hopis perspective or acknowledge that there are some subjects which are too sensitive or even too sacred to be written down. Nevertheless these publications have shaped our image of the Hopi and their calendar and have lead to extensive discussions with regard to e.g. their age, origin or influences from Mesoamerican cultures. Interpretations from these old anthropologists and archaeologists appear often to be taken for granted and are hardly critically assessed. Therefore, this thesis questions that what we think we know about the Hopi calendar, its predecessor, and the beliefs, rituals and deities accompanying it.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
Chichén Itzá was a late- to postclassic Maya city in the north of Yucatán, Mexico. Around AD 800 a relatively abrupt change occurred in the iconographic and architectural style, which was...Show moreChichén Itzá was a late- to postclassic Maya city in the north of Yucatán, Mexico. Around AD 800 a relatively abrupt change occurred in the iconographic and architectural style, which was traditionally ascribed to an invasion of the Toltecs or the Toltec style. Recent research contradicts this theory, and this research master thesis addresses the possibility that the Itzá themselves are responsible for the change by incorporating central Mexican religious and cultural elements into their own culture. The context of this issue will be established by examining recent research, the background, and history of the Itzá. A study in the theory of group identity, and collective and cultural memory will address the processes that play a role in the creation of group identity and the legitimization of rule. An analysis of the iconography and architecture of several structures in the ceremonial centre of Chichén Itzá focuses on the general themes of the iconography to establish whether they reflect the legitimization of rule and the creation of group identity. The results indicate that the new style at Chichén Itzá is indeed aimed at supporting these processes. By adapting the style, the collective and cultural memories were altered, leading to a firm new group identity. This was necessary after the Itzá migrated north from their homeland in the Petén area, driven away by political and military conflict, where they founded Chichén Itzá. The results emphasize the self consciousness and independence of the Itzá in planning and executing identity politics. Additionally, the results suggest the Itzá were an empowered people, contrary to the past traditional view of Maya as a peaceful and passive people.Show less
Research master thesis | Political Science and Public Administration (research) (MSc)
open access
I analyze the factors that influence support for environmental policy proposals. Emphasis of the study is on the effects of three characteristics of the policies themselves - the required personal...Show moreI analyze the factors that influence support for environmental policy proposals. Emphasis of the study is on the effects of three characteristics of the policies themselves - the required personal efforts, expected period before one benefits from the policy, and fairness of the policy. Background variables and factors based on environmental beliefs are also included in order to develop a complete model. Using an experimental survey design, data collected on Dutch high school students shows that the three characteristics tested do not significantly influence support for the environmental policies. For most policies, knowledge of environmental problems and general opinions about the importance of the environment compared to the importance of the economy have the strongest impact on support for the policies.Show less
Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
open access
Objective: In this study we addressed the questions (1) whether there is a relation between the specialization of the brain and psychopathology, and (2) if there is a relationship between the...Show moreObjective: In this study we addressed the questions (1) whether there is a relation between the specialization of the brain and psychopathology, and (2) if there is a relationship between the specialization of the brain and performance on different academic measures. Method: We used the Finger Tapping Task (FTT) to assess maturation of the brain as measured by fine motor speed, and lateralization of the brain as measured by the difference in speed between both hands. Both maturation and lateralization are used as a measure of specialization of the brain. The participants were children in the age of 5 to 18 years old and were assigned to five distinct diagnostic groups: Mood problems (n=178), Behavior problems (n=82), Autism spectrum Disorders (n=106), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (n=190) and Learning problems (n=44). The diagnostic groups differ with regard to age and gender. Results: We found that children with an autism spectrum disorder show delayed fine motor lateralization. We were also able to determine that the differences in fine motor speed between the different diagnostic groups get larger with age indicating that delayed maturation gets more evident while children get older. Looking at the academic measures, we found that a more matured brain, as measured with fine motor speed, is associated with better academic performance, even when controlled for age. Conclusion: Autism spectrum disorders can be differentiated from other disorders when looking at lateralization of the brain. A more matured brain is associated with a significant higher level of academic performance for math, reading and Writing.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
open access
In this MPhil-thesis the author examines the nature of the later Roman economy by focusing on a papyrological archive from the 4th century A.D. The late antique economy is a combination of a...Show moreIn this MPhil-thesis the author examines the nature of the later Roman economy by focusing on a papyrological archive from the 4th century A.D. The late antique economy is a combination of a monetary economy and a barter economy, which is reflected in the papyrological material. The Roman empire had to adapt itself to rapidly changing circumstances from the 3rd century onwards, the fiscal system from the reign of Diocletian onwards is a perfect example of the way the Romans adapted their economy to the new circumstances. The main focus in this thesis is on an archive of ca. 50 papyri from Oxyrhynchus , Egypt, called the archive of Papnuthis and Dorotheus; two brothers levying taxes in the Oxyrhynchite nome.Show less
