Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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This thesis studies a reconstruction of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia, the ancient harbour town of Rome. The principal of Linguistic Landscape Studies originates in Sociolinguistics, where it...Show moreThis thesis studies a reconstruction of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia, the ancient harbour town of Rome. The principal of Linguistic Landscape Studies originates in Sociolinguistics, where it is used to study the interrelationship between texts and the space in which they are placed. The goal of this thesis is twofold. Its primary purpose is to interpret the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. The secondary objective concerns the question whether or not the framework can be used to study a past urban environment. The second chapter focuses on the history of Ostia, from its foundation up to its abandonment. It describes the historical development of the settlement, its political organisation and the religious practices that occurred during Antiquity. The third chapter describes the history after the city was abandoned, focusing on the post-depositional processes and the excavation history. Chapter four introduces the theoretical framework central to this thesis, first detailing the relation between texts and archaeology, including the recent concept of Written Space. It then discusses Linguistic Landscapes and its applications, before combining these into a single framework. The fifth chapter lays out the methodology that is used in the study of the Linguistic Landscape, describing the research area and the nature of the dataset used in this study. Chapter six then presents the analysis of the texts that are included in the corpus, studying patterns in their spatial distribution as well as in their various characteristics. The data presented in these previous chapters are then used in chapter seven to interpret the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. Here, it is shown that there is a clear relationship between certain types of texts and the areas where they are placed. Texts therefore had a purpose within the spatial environment as well, and the various actors, both official and unofficial, placed the texts accordingly. One of these functions was to create a landscape of memorials, preserving the names of deceased individuals who had been important in the history of the city. The reconstruction also showed, however, that these texts eventually lost their function and were reused for the material upon which they were placed. This change in perception of texts appears to coincide with the rise of Christianity as the most prominent religion. The chapter also notes that the large amount of texts visible in the city shows that previous thoughts on literacy in Antiquity need to be reconsidered, since the texts would be meaningless without a sizable readership. The conclusion summarises these interpretations and relates them back to the research questions presented at the start of the thesis. It then determines that the reconstruction of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia was a useful tool to better understand the relationship between texts and space in Antiquity. It is therefore concluded that the framework is indeed useful to study a past environment. Finally, a brief outlook on future applications of Linguistic Landscapes and its value for Archaeology is presented, paving the way for new research.Show less
The coming together of foreign cultures and goods in the ancient Roman world is extraordinary. Here, the specific role and contribution of various foreign cultures can be analysed from several...Show moreThe coming together of foreign cultures and goods in the ancient Roman world is extraordinary. Here, the specific role and contribution of various foreign cultures can be analysed from several different angles. With a keen interest in Indo-Roman trade, this thesis investigates into the Indian objects that were brought over to the Roman world as a result of this trade. This includes objects ranging from spices and condiments, to various fabrics, precious stones, and even ivory objects. In contrast to the influences of Hellenistic and Egyptian art as seen in ancient Roman art and architecture, Indian objects played a much more domestic role. Comments by ancient Roman authors have allowed a glimpse into how these objects penetrated the ancient Roman daily life, and how quickly they gained popularity. Their perceptions about the Indian objects and the fascination of the land of India, go hand in hand in, particularly when we explore the reasons behind their demand and popularity. The spices seemed to have reached all the kitchens in the Roman society, from Rome to all of its provinces as well. The Indian fabrics made up a lot of the garments worn by Roman citizens. Precious Indian stones were found in the jewellery of many of the Roman matrons. A rather curious Ivory statuette of an Indian woman discovered in a small house at the site of Pompeii, reflects the Roman curation of Indian artefacts. The influence of the image of India and its objects is very clear from literary sources, but it is necessary to compare these with the archaeological material available to us, and to investigate into how they can contribute in getting an even better understanding of this cultural exchange. This thesis thus takes into consideration all these factors to formulate a conclusion on the idea of “India in the lives of Ancient Romans".Show less
This research focuses on participatory management and explores how issues with implementation manifest themselves in an environment outside of the Western democratic context within which they are...Show moreThis research focuses on participatory management and explores how issues with implementation manifest themselves in an environment outside of the Western democratic context within which they are formed. It is argued here that although UNESCO is attempting to be inclusive of a variety of cultures, it still operates from a Eurocentric perspective and this creates unrealistic expectations of nation states that have a different cultural and institutional construction. The archaeological site of Nemrud Daǧ, located in southeastern Turkey, was chosen as a case study to illustrate the arguments made in this paper. This thesis could be interpreted as an in-depth stakeholder analysis for the site, highlighting problematic areas between stakeholders and the social, political and economic context which create them. The emphasis here is on the context that creates significance as opposed to the significance itself. This is because it is these factors that dictate significance and also create obstacles with participation. The Turkish Republic is not in the same position as Western Europe, yet it has a long history of aspiring to be. This is what makes the position of the country and its attitudes towards heritage so fascinating.Show less
In het Rijksmuseum van oudheden in Leiden (RmO) staat een loden sarcofaag tentoongesteld. Deze sarcofaag is gevonden in Libanon bij de plaats Byout el-Saied, in de buurt van de stad Tyrus, en wordt...Show moreIn het Rijksmuseum van oudheden in Leiden (RmO) staat een loden sarcofaag tentoongesteld. Deze sarcofaag is gevonden in Libanon bij de plaats Byout el-Saied, in de buurt van de stad Tyrus, en wordt gedateerd in ca. de 2e tot 3e eeuw na Chr.. Deze bijzondere loden sarcofaag getuigt van de regionale veranderingen in grafgebruiken, die in de Noordelijke Levant over een langere periode hebben plaatsgevonden onder invloed van verschillende culturen. In deze scriptie is, aan de hand van de loden sarcofaag van het RmO en een literatuuronderzoek, onderzocht wat de loden sarcofaag ons kan leren over de processen van continuiteit en verandering in de grafgebruiken van de Noordelijke Levant in de Romeinse periode. De grafgebruiken die zich rond de loden sarcofaag laten reconstrueren zijn het resultaat van een ontwikkeling over een langere periode, vanaf de ijzertijd (ca. 1200 voor Chr.) tot in de Romeinse periode. Deze grafgebruiken zijn onder invloed van verschillende culturen verandert, doordat nieuwe elementen toegevoegd werden en andere uit het beeld verdwenen. Tegelijkertijd zijn er ook grafgebruiken aantoonbaar die vanaf vroege periodes tot in de Romeinse tijd nog zijn blijven bestaan. De loden sarcofaag past goed binnen de uiteindelijk ontstane grafcultuur. Ook de iconografie op de loden sarcofaag toont elementen uit verschillende culturen die de regionale grafgebruiken in de Noordelijke Levant hebben beïnvloed, waaronder de lokale Syrische cultuur, de Egyptische cultuur en de Hellenistische cultuur. Het christendom heeft mogelijk ook invloed uitgeoefend, maar dit is bij de loden sarcofaag van het RmO moeilijk aan te tonen. Wat de loden sarcofaag ons leert over Romanisering, dat traditioneel gezien werd beschouwd als het brengen van cultuur en beschaving door Romeinen in nieuw geannexeerde gebieden, is dat het eerder een proces is van acculturatie die zich niet beperkt tot de Romeinse periode en het Romeinse Rijk.Show less
This thesis explores the biography of the Dying Niobid, a fifth century BC Greek statue that was found in Rome. Previous research on Greek sculptural art has mainly focussed on the objects as a...Show moreThis thesis explores the biography of the Dying Niobid, a fifth century BC Greek statue that was found in Rome. Previous research on Greek sculptural art has mainly focussed on the objects as a representation of the Classical Greek period. When looking at the Dying Niobid it becomes clear that this sculpture, one among a great body of Greek sculptures brought to Rome, has functioned in more than one context throughout its life, the ‘Greek’ context being just one of them. Therefore the question to be asked must no longer be what does the object represent, but what does it do in these different contexts? With the object as point of departure, this research will focus on the “active” role of the Dying Niobid in terms of power, influence and agency. To enable this, the main objective for this thesis is to apply a fundamentally different approach and methodology to Greek sculptures in Rome; a “cultural biographical approach” to objects. Through the methodology of the cultural biography, it is possible to take all of the contexts in which the object has functioned in consideration and reconstruct the way in which the agency and power of the object can change and accumulate throughout its existence. Exploring the biography of the Niobid leads us through different functions and appropriations of Greek art. From a fifth century BC Apollo temple in Greece, the story of the Niobid leads to Rome; the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, a Republican temple restored in Augustan times and further on to the Horti Sallustiani, a garden. In the realms of this garden the Niobid was excavated in 1906, followed by a series of events and political dispute concerning the statue. At the present the Dying Niobid still functions in Rome, on display in the Museo Nazionale Romano; Palazzo Massimo. This case-study is placed in a theoretical framework of symmetrical archaeology. Through this framework the aim is to achieve symmetry between not only the importance of the role of things, humans and other entities within each context, but also between the different life phases of the object. This will enable us to say something on the changes of meaning and agency of the object throughout time and space, and add to the wider debate on the role of Greek objects in the Roman world.Show less
This thesis is a study in the transformation of Alexander the Great’s image throughout Hellenistic times. It starts out with an introduction to Alexander’s world and the research questions that...Show moreThis thesis is a study in the transformation of Alexander the Great’s image throughout Hellenistic times. It starts out with an introduction to Alexander’s world and the research questions that this study will be focusing on. It is followed by an extended look into the image he created of himself during his life, followed by the time just after his death and finally the later Hellenistic eras. As part of that, this thesis also goes into the background that led to him creating this image, studying his life from his early days, on to his conquests and finally his death. The Hellenistic world in general and its development during and after Alexander’s death, both politically and culturally, gets the same treatment. As the main artifacts chosen to show the change in his image are the sculptures of his likeness, their origins and development are part of the study as well. Both the reasoning behind them from Alexander himself, the effect they had on the hellenistic world as well their unique qualities in comparison to other ruler statues will be subjects handled as well. The study in general covers the sculptures from the early Lysippan varieties to the myriad of statues from the later Hellenistic kingdoms, stopping at the advent of Roman times. A brief interlude, that goes into the history of the study of Hellenistic sculpture and its archaeological context, is included as well. Problems that arise when studying Hellenistic sculpture are introduced this way as well, as they will play an important rule when discussing the three sculptures part of this study focuses on. Because as part of the thesis, three specific examples are chosen as case-studies from three different parts of the Hellenistic world to show off their context, development and local influences. The first being the Alexander Rondanini, which was created in Greece during or just after Alexander’s life. The second example is the Nahman Alexander, an Egyptian variant from the first half of the Ptolemaic period. The third and final example is the Magnesia Alexander, which was created in Graeco-Roman times in an area of Lydia. All three examples follow the same format in their chapters, starting with a focus on their history and context, followed by a detailed description of their appearance and ending with a discussion about their unique characteristics as well as the problems that arise when studying the sculpture, such as its identification. Finally, the last chapter will focus on the comparisons between these three case-studies, studying both their similarities and differences compared to both the Lysippan originals as well as each other. In the conclusion, the information gathered from the study is used to answer the research questions brought up in the introduction and to close the thesis off.Show less
At the end of the second century BC cataphract cavalry are mentioned for the first time. Little more is mentioned than that they exist and that their name implies they are heavily armoured. Over...Show moreAt the end of the second century BC cataphract cavalry are mentioned for the first time. Little more is mentioned than that they exist and that their name implies they are heavily armoured. Over the course of the next eighthundred years they continued to exist. Sometimes they are reported to be more capable than they were in reality, yet some of the most influential empires of the ancient world used these heavily armoured horsemen. The archaeological sites which show cataphract cavalry are mostly located in modern Iran, although the ancient Syrian city of Dura-Europos is important for image-forming as well. Ancient authors who wrote about the cataphract range from Greek authors from the 5th century BC until Roman authors from the 4th century AD, which means that there is a large variety in ancient literature on the subject. Cataphract armour changed over time, as well as their weaponry and the tactics that were employed. The differences between Seleucid, Parthian, Roman and Sassanid cataphracts become apparent throughout the thesis.Show less
In comparison with the obelisks in Rome in the classical period, the late antique obelisks have been neglected. Therefore, this thesis will concentrate on the Egyptian obelisks in the Roman world...Show moreIn comparison with the obelisks in Rome in the classical period, the late antique obelisks have been neglected. Therefore, this thesis will concentrate on the Egyptian obelisks in the Roman world in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD in order to create a better image of the obelisks in this period. The main question of this thesis is about the definition of these late antique obelisks: Are they Egyptian or Roman? To answer this question, the symbolical and functional meaning of the late antique obelisks is described in order to say something about the use of obelisks in late antiquity. From the evidence it becomes clear that the Egyptian obelisks in late antiquity still were regarded as special monuments, which had a symbolic meaning. The majority of the late antique obelisks were placed in circuses in which they represented the sun. This practice followed the Roman tradition begun by Augustus in the 1st century BC. The relation with the sun indicates that late antique obelisks still were associated with Egypt and that the traditional meaning of the Egyptian obelisks was not forgotten. As in ancient Egypt, the late antique obelisks had multiple meanings. Eventually, the traditional Egyptian meanings were incorporated into the Roman culture in such a way that it had become impossible to define the late antique obelisks as being Egyptian or Roman. To my opinion, the late antique obelisks are neither Egyptian nor Roman, because both cultures had adopted elements from other cultures. Thus, the late antique obelisks are the result of the contact between Egypt and the Roman world, which had led to the creation of a hybrid style, of which the obelisks are a good example of.Show less
In this thesis I have investigated the reasons for which Romans appropriated foreign material culture, in which conditions and what happened with it after was brought in Rome during the Late...Show moreIn this thesis I have investigated the reasons for which Romans appropriated foreign material culture, in which conditions and what happened with it after was brought in Rome during the Late Republic (second and first century B.C.). Moreover, what kind of material culture was taken and why were these specific objects chosen and not others. My main focus was to understand the appropriation of foreign material culture and how did it influenced the Republic. It is very difficult to define the three cultures, but an attempt had been made in order to explain the concepts and how do they interact with each other. Before studying the influence of the foreign material culture, definitions have been given to the concepts used in this thesis. I have studied the Greek material culture and its impact on the Roman people, on the architecture of temples and on the Roman culture. Using the temple of Apollo Sosianus as an example, the Greek material culture used in its decoration has been studied, but also the Egyptian motifs which occur. It is a significant temple of this period of time due to its many restorations which can be observed in the material preserved. This thesis is exploring the Egyptian material culture brought during the Late Republic. This is often mentioned by the ancient writers, but the results of different excavations did not brought such aspects to life. One can considered that through the cult of the goddess Isis, many Egyptian objects can be found. The similarities and differences between the appropriated Greek and Egyptian material culture have been also discussed. As an example, most of the valuable statues and goods were used to adorn the city and to please the Senate, reassuring in the same time the generals position and privileges, but this was not the case for the Egyptian material culture.Show less
A mother, a wife, a queen, a healer, a magician, a resurrector of the dead, Isis embodied a variety of ideal characteristics for many different people, but to who did she mean what? This thesis...Show moreA mother, a wife, a queen, a healer, a magician, a resurrector of the dead, Isis embodied a variety of ideal characteristics for many different people, but to who did she mean what? This thesis intends to unravel the meanings ascribed to Isis in two distinct geographical locations, in terms of both temple and funerary contexts. Through the means of this investigation I will examine the processes by which Isis was worshipped in the Dakhleh Oasis and in Thebes, during the Roman period in Egypt. Isis was a multifaceted goddess whose worship was adopted by a whole variety of ethnicities throughout the Roman Empire, although she did not necessarily mean the same thing to these people. The thesis intends to gain an understanding of how and why Isis was being worshipped in the Dakhleh Oasis and in Thebes, and if they were in any way related. It will examine temples scenes, Isaic material culture and tomb depictions of Isis in the Dakhleh Oasis. Furthermore, pertaining to Thebes, temples scenes, evidence from the ‘cachette de Karnak’ and the ‘Soter group’ of Roman Egyptian coffins will be examined. The primary aim of this thesis is to establish a regional understanding of Isis in the Dakhleh Oasis, to thus make it possible to compare this data to other regions, one of which will already be undertaken here, Roman Thebes. The themes which underpin this thesis underpin this form of archaeological investigation as a whole, religious connectivity and mutual understanding, alongside evidence for innovation, globalisation and syncretism. This thesis aims to provide a detailed analysis of two specific datasets and demonstrate how comparable these can be, it will provide a regional understanding of an extremely diverse goddess whose relevance has taken off within recent years, and in part whose veneration still remains a mystery.Show less
Het doel van dit onderzoek is om een overzicht te geven van de wisselwerking tussen drie geselecteerde elementen, die onlosmakelijk verbonden zijn met het werkgebied van conservering: 1)...Show moreHet doel van dit onderzoek is om een overzicht te geven van de wisselwerking tussen drie geselecteerde elementen, die onlosmakelijk verbonden zijn met het werkgebied van conservering: 1) restauratie, 2) (de houding tegenover) erfgoed, en 3) de Atheense Akropolis als monument. Dit wordt gedaan aan de hand van een archeometrische analyse van de restauratie van de kariatiden, die als case-study dient om te bewijzen dat deze drie elementen onlosmakelijk aan elkaar verbonden zijn. Om een introductie te geven op de Akropolis als monument, wordt in het begin van deze scriptie de geschiedenis van de Akropolis, het Erechtheion en de kariatiden besproken. Er wordt een moderne waardering aan de monumenten toegekend, die resulteert in de keuze voor een bepaalde restauratiemethode. Het feit dat de Akropolis in 1987 toegelaten is tot de World Heritage List van UNESCO, draagt daarnaast ook bij aan ontwikkelingen en creatie van mogelijkheden op het gebied van conservering en restauratie. Een van de grootste ontwikkelingen die de afgelopen decennia plaats heeft gehad rondom de Akropolis als monument, is de opening van het nieuwe Akropolis Museum in 2009; een museum dat buitengewoon grote aandacht schenkt aan conservering en restauratie van het erfgoed van de Akropolis. Eén van de bekendste voorbeelden hiervan is de restauratie van de kariatiden, die live op zaal uitgevoerd wordt voor publiek. Dit heeft tot gevolg dat het publiek geprikkeld wordt en bewuster wordt gemaakt van het belang van het vakgebied van conservering en restauratie, daarnaast draagt de grote publiciteit rondom deze restauratie bij aan het scheppen van een algemene houding tegenover erfgoed. Deze houding tegenover erfgoed is tijdsgebonden en heeft andersom ook grote invloed op de ontwikkeling en het gebruik van restauratiemethoden, zoals de recentelijk ontworpen innovatieve lasertechniek die gebruikt wordt op de kariatiden. Door de projectie van de restauratiemethode van de kariatiden op de wederzijdse verbanden tussen erfgoed, restauratie en de Akropolis, wordt duidelijk hoe bovenstaande resultaten zich tot elkaar verhouden. Ook wordt duidelijk hoe deze resultaten een invloed op elkaar uit hebben geoefend in het (recentelijke) verleden, en hoe zij dat zullen blijven doen in de toekomst.Show less
This study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically...Show moreThis study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically analyzing evidence for religious activities on the islands, gleaned from the corpus of published works, in a diachronic perspective and using an explorative approach, the continuity of traditions, sites and possibly beliefs are systematically studied. The result then is a religious biography of the islands, discussing mainly the continuity of phenomena and the development of religious activities. The Maltese archipelago was subjected to many different cultural influences, which is reflected in the development of religious activities. A gradual evolution from the early Neolithic up till the start of the Bronze Age can be witnessed, during which foreign influences can be recognised. After the Bronze Age, which was fundamentally different in religious traditions than its predecessor, the Orientalising influence brought upon by the Phoenicians shaped the religious landscape of the archipelago, laying the fundaments for the succeeding millennium-and-a-half. The rise of several powers in the Mediterranean area (such as the Etruscans, Greeks and the Romans) influenced Malta indirectly. During the Punic and Roman phases the religious activities are affected by Hellenising influences, seen in material culture and the identification of deities. Under Roman Imperial rule the population gradually adopts more Roman religious customs. There is some evidence for some of the Eastern mystery cults of Mithras and Isis, but future research should help to elucidate this. From the fifth century CE onwards there is enough evidence to confirm the presence of a Diaspora Jewish community, as well as infer that a good amount of the population at that time followed the religion of Christianity. The religious developments show how insularity at one hand encouraged local development of traditions, while the high connectivity due to the geographical location of the islands encouraged the introduction of new traditions. As a result a clear line of development can be traced and influencing trends can clearly be distinguished. There are still some areas, such as some of the iconography encountered, which require further exploration to provide a better understanding of the religious developments on the islands.Show less
Over the past decades there have been new theories and methods applied to research in archaeology. This research is an attempt to apply some of these new ideas to the archaeological site, Lepcis...Show moreOver the past decades there have been new theories and methods applied to research in archaeology. This research is an attempt to apply some of these new ideas to the archaeological site, Lepcis Magna. The theory of Space Syntax will be applied to create new data that can be analyzed and interpreted. Recently, there have been multiple studies on identity that have been examined and researched more extensively in relation to the field of archaeology. A combination of space syntax theory and identity studies will be applied in order to have a deeper understanding of past cultural identity of the people of Lepcis Magna between the late first century BC to the Severan period. It has been documented that the inhabitants of Lepcis Magna had a strong Punic background during their incorporation into the Roman Empire. In previous publications on the city, the people are often described as rejecting the Romanization process. New approaches to identity studies on the provincial cities throughout the Roman Empire have attempted to step back from Romanization theory and reexamine the culture and identity of the people. A conscious effort will be made to try and examine the material from an unbiased Romanization point of view. There will also be an evaluation of the space syntax methods to see if it is feasible to approach the study of identity through the examination of space. One will attempt to analyze and interpret areas of high connectivity that will be determined by the analysis applied. Within the areas of high connectivity one will determine if there is a specific identity being projected. It will be from the interpretations that one might discover a collective cultural identity of the people. This research aims to gain a better understanding of past identities of the people of Lepcis Magna through the application of Space Syntax theory.Show less
Casa del Frutteto, een middenklasse atriumhuis in Pompeii, herbergt drie Romeinse wandschilderingen van hoge kwaliteit; een van deze is een prachtige tuinschildering behorende tot de derde...Show moreCasa del Frutteto, een middenklasse atriumhuis in Pompeii, herbergt drie Romeinse wandschilderingen van hoge kwaliteit; een van deze is een prachtige tuinschildering behorende tot de derde Pompeiaanse stijl. Deze tuinschildering bevat verschillende Egyptisch aandoende elementen. Hoewel over de tuinschildering zelf veel is gepubliceerd, zijn de Egyptische elementen in deze tuinschildering slechts beschreven en vermeld in catalogi. Dit onderzoek richt zich daarom op de betekenis en functie van de Egyptische elementen in de tuinschildering in cubiculum (8) van Casa del Frutteto. Door middel van een uitgebreide analyse van de context en de elementen van de schildering, een vergelijking met de tuinschildering in het andere cubiculum van Casa del Frutteto en een beknopte uiteenzetting van het contact tussen het Romeinse rijk en Egypte wordt een religieuze, culturele en functionele interpretatie van de schildering gegeven en kan aan de hand daarvan onder andere worden geconcludeerd dat de Egyptisch elementen een hoofdzakelijk decoratieve functie hadden in het huis en ongeacht de vele associaties met de populaire Isis-cultus het cubiculum niet van een religieuze functie voorzagen, hoewel een religieuze betekenis van de elementen voor de eigenaar van het alsmede de bezoeker niet uit te sluiten is.Show less
