During the 13th and 14th centuries, the shipbuilding traditions in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions underwent significant transformations. From 1000 to 1300, large cargo ships built in the...Show moreDuring the 13th and 14th centuries, the shipbuilding traditions in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions underwent significant transformations. From 1000 to 1300, large cargo ships built in the Nordic shipbuilding tradition dominated the maritime trade. After 1300 the supremacy in the region's maritime trade shifted to German merchants and the Hanseatic League, leading to the disappearance of the Nordic shipbuilding tradition and the rise of cogs as the most common cargo vessels in Northern Europe. Initially, the shift from Nordic ships to cogs was attributed to the latter's perceived better performance, as it was believed that it was technically impossible to build large ships in the Nordic tradition. However, this assumption was challenged when large cargo vessels built in the Nordic tradition were discovered. As a result, scholars shifted their focus from technical explanations to socio-economic ones. These socio-economic narratives linked the dominance of cogs mainly to their lower shipbuilding costs, as well as the commercial, political, and military power of the Hanseatic League. Besides the differences in building techniques, Nordic cargo ships and cogs had very different hull shapes and therefore differences in performance are to be expected even when comparing ships of similar sizes. However, a comprehensive performance comparison between Nordic cargo ships and cogs has not been made since most shipwrecks are only partially preserved, and the evaluation of ship performance requires a complete hull. The 3D model reconstruction of shipwrecks provides thus an opportunity to evaluate the performance capabilities of ancient vessels. This thesis aims to apply modern naval engineering approaches, typically used for modern ships, to assess and compare the performance of Nordic cargo ships and cogs using 3D reconstruction models. The goal is to determine whether the socio-economic reasons for the shift from Nordic cargo ships to cogs went hand in hand with an improvement in ship performance. To this purpose weight and stability calculations, as well as speed estimations and seakeeping calculations are conducted on the 3D model reconstructions of the Big Ship of Wismar, a 12th century Nordic cargo ship, and the Bremen cog, a 14th century cog of similar size. The results reveal significant differences between the Big Ship of Wismar and the Bremen cog in all the examined performance characteristics. Overall, the Big Ship of Wismar demonstrates superior transverse stability, speed, and seakeeping behaviour than the Bremen cog. These findings, together with the evidence from calculations on other ships and sea trials on full-scale replicas, indicate that the socio-economic factors had such a substantial impact on shaping the observed transformations in shipbuilding traditions, that they outweighed the reduction in ship performance. Additionally, cogs' key features, such as high freeboard, full hull lines, closed deck, and superstructure, appear to have played a crucial role in their supremacy. These characteristics not only allowed them to transport cargo in bulk, but also provided a defensive advantage against attacks. While Nordic cargo ships exhibited superior speed, stability, and seaworthiness, cogs were more suitable for meeting the social demands of the time. This thesis demonstrates that modern naval architecture methods can effectively be applied to 3D model reconstructions of ancient ships to enhance the understanding of ship performance in maritime archaeology. Additionally, it proves that evaluating ship performance can provide valuable insights on broader research questions, such as understanding the social changes that would have influenced and driven the transformative processes observed in shipbuilding traditions.Show less
In deze bachelor scriptie is een selectie van gietijzeren kanonskogels uit de collectie van het Maritiem Archeologisch Depot van Batavialand onderzocht met het doel de oorzaak vast te stellen voor...Show moreIn deze bachelor scriptie is een selectie van gietijzeren kanonskogels uit de collectie van het Maritiem Archeologisch Depot van Batavialand onderzocht met het doel de oorzaak vast te stellen voor de waargenomen degradatie in deze objecten. De kogels zijn onderzocht doormiddel van visueel onderzoek, het lezen van oude archeologische- en conserverings-documentaties en door vergelijkingen in conditie te trekken tussen de kogels in het verleden en heden, om zo de oorzaak van de degradatie te achterhalen. Uit dit onderzoek is gebleken dat het overgrote deel van de kanonskogels actief aan het corroderen is. Na verder onderzoek naar de eerdere conservering is gebleken dat een deel van de conserveringstechnieken die zijn gebruikt voor de kogels achterhaald en minder effectief zijn in vergelijking met huidige technieken. Een van de voornaamste verouderde technieken die een grote invloed hebben op de huidige conditie van de canonskogels, zijn het ontzouten van het ijzer doormiddel van gloeien tot 800°C, en het aanbrengen van een dikke coating van epoxyhars op het oppervlak van de kanonskogels. Ook is gebleken dat de huidige wijze van opslag in Batavialand ontoereikend is voor de opslag van maritiem archeologisch ijzer. Deze conclusie is getrokken uit onderzoek naar de opstelling, relatieve luchtvochtigheid (RV), temperatuur, licht en verontreinigende stoffen in de opslagruimte. Hiervan was vooral de RV zeer verontrustend omdat deze sterk schommelt: ’s winters tussen de 20-50%, en ’s zomers tussen de 55-85%. Aan de hand van deze onderzoeksuitslagen is geconcludeerd dat de gietijzeren kanonskogels interventie nodig hebben om te voorkomen dat deze verder degraderen en zo archeologische informatie verloren gaat. Tot slot zijn aanbevelingen gegeven voor aanpassingen in het collectiebeheer van Batavialand om deze voortdurende degradering te voorkomen.Show less
The management of underwater cultural heritage is complex. Similarly, is climate change. This thesis explores the impacts of climate change on the management of underwater cultural heritage. As...Show moreThe management of underwater cultural heritage is complex. Similarly, is climate change. This thesis explores the impacts of climate change on the management of underwater cultural heritage. As global temperatures rise, sea levels increase, and the oceans become more acidic underwater cultural heritage sites will be at risk. This research investigates how climate change is affecting underwater cultural heritage management while corresponding illustrating the most recent developments in projects and policies regarding underwater cultural heritage.Show less
De wrakken die gelegen zijn op het botterkerkhof in Spakenburg zijn hier met opzet gezonken. Nadat de Zuiderzee afgesloten werd, raakte de Zuiderzeevisserij in verval. Hierdoor konden veel vissers...Show moreDe wrakken die gelegen zijn op het botterkerkhof in Spakenburg zijn hier met opzet gezonken. Nadat de Zuiderzee afgesloten werd, raakte de Zuiderzeevisserij in verval. Hierdoor konden veel vissers uit Spakenburg niet meer rondkomen en besloten zij de schepen op te ruimen. Deze scriptie onderzoekt wat de toekomst van deze wrakken is. Door de onderwater onderzoeken die deel uitmaakte van de Basis cursus Maritieme archeologie, te vergelijken met nog bestaande schepen en scheepsconstructie tekeningen zal het onderzoek potentieel duidelijk worden. Aan de hand van kwantitatieve interviews zal de publieke opinie van Spakenburg gepeild worden. Het duidelijk maken hoe verschillende groepen mensen naar de wrakken op het botterkerkhof kijken. Als laatst zal er gekeken worden naar de zichtbaarheid van de wrakken. Dit zal gebeuren onder andere door een wandeling door het landschap.Show less
Funan is an ancient state centred on the southern Mekong delta between the 1st and 6th century CE. Traditionally, Funan has been seen largely in terms of its long-distance contacts to India,...Show moreFunan is an ancient state centred on the southern Mekong delta between the 1st and 6th century CE. Traditionally, Funan has been seen largely in terms of its long-distance contacts to India, limiting thorough studies of regional interaction. This research instead focuses on regional exchange and interaction within the Mekong delta, thereby centring indigenous Southeast Asian developments and connecting long-distance interactions with local dynamics. To assess the role of Funan in riverine and coastal exchange networks this paper studies the assemblages of stone and glass beads, ceramics and metal objects in mainland Southeast Asia. Results show that the stone bead types and the type of glass used in glass beads differs in the Mekong delta and other parts of mainland Southeast Asia. The ceramic assemblage is overwhelmingly local, with some stylistic parallels to South Asian shapes common in mainland Southeast Asia. The metal assemblage at Funan sites is mainly gold, as gold was produced at Funan sites. The gold assemblage at Funan sites is distinct from that at nearby sites in mainland Southeast Asia. The results indicate a clear difference between the material distributions within the Mekong delta and the coastal regions of mainland Southeast Asia, as well as showing intensive connections to South Asia that led to rapid socioeconomic changes around the 3rd century CE. The exchange network centred on the Mekong delta primarily involves localized prestige objects utilizing South Asian elements or techniques. The localized objects are distributed throughout the Mekong delta and are distinct from prestige objects spread in other parts of mainland Southeast Asia. This indicates the importance of long-distance connections as well as the building of local alliances using exotic prestige objects, and shows the valuable connections of riverine local trade with coastal exchange. The results also demonstrate the importance of recognizing and studying the fluidity of the maritime exchange network of mainland Southeast Asia by effectively utilizing approaches from maritime archaeology.Show less
Today, large amounts of Pleistocene fossils and prehistoric artefacts are encountered in the nets of bottom trawling fishing vessels and found on beaches along the Dutch coast. Interestingly, these...Show moreToday, large amounts of Pleistocene fossils and prehistoric artefacts are encountered in the nets of bottom trawling fishing vessels and found on beaches along the Dutch coast. Interestingly, these finds do not derive from the current mainland but originate from a prehistoric land currently submerged beneath the North Sea. This land, known to us as ‘Doggerland’, extended across major parts of the North Sea during times when the sea level was more than 50 meters lower than today. The area consisted of diverse landscapes that ranged from tundra plains, during the glacial periods, to forested areas and coastal swamps, during warmer interglacial periods. These prehistoric landscapes were home to a large number of animal and plant species, and consequentially offered attractive environments for prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups. The fact that remains from Doggerland are encountered today demonstrates that at least parts of these prehistoric landscapes have been preserved beneath the seabed. However, at the same time, the finds indicate that the submerged prehistoric remains are being disturbed and displaced from their original or derived context. The disturbance can be attributed to offshore industrial activities, such as the fishing industry and sand extraction activities. Through their exploitation of the seabed, a large amount of fossil bones and artefacts resurface in the fishing nets and on sand suppleted beaches along the Dutch coast. Besides that, considering that certain offshore industrial activities will expand in response to the renewable energy transition and the ever-rising sea level, major parts of Doggerland are likely to be lost in the future. On the other hand, the nature and extent of the offshore industrial disturbances in relation to the submerged prehistoric remains are far from certain. This applies to today and the future especially. The following thesis, therefore, investigates the impacts of trawling activities, sand extraction and offshore wind generation on the seabed sediments, taking into account the depositional context, taphonomic processes as well as the current hydrodynamic conditions that have altered these deposits already.Show less
This thesis investigates how article 7 of the Malta Convention is implemented in the Netherlands. Article 7 deals with the enabling of the study of and dissemination of archaeological information....Show moreThis thesis investigates how article 7 of the Malta Convention is implemented in the Netherlands. Article 7 deals with the enabling of the study of and dissemination of archaeological information. This is achieved by requiring the writing of a summary record after an excavation and a national overview of all archaeological data. First, it focusses at how this is realised in the Netherlands through legislation and policy. All Dutch summary records and other archaeological data are stored at the DANS institute. By looking at the way in which this repository is set up, it can be stated that DANS stores data in a sustainable way. Next it analyses the archaeological use and user data of DANS. This is achieved by inspecting the user account data on research interest and the amount that belongs to the archaeological professional’s group. This group consists of ca. 3000 registered users. Further it investigates the use of DANS by looking at the downloading of archaeological datasets and files. It will evaluate the depositing of datasets within the archaeology discipline. In the use and user-analysis the focus is placed on the years 2017 and 2018. From this analysis it becomes clear that DANS is frequently used to gather archaeological data. This reuse of data can mainly be ascribed to professional archaeologists. This indicates that the archaeological data is being reused in further research. The deposition data reveals that the depositing of data is done by only a small part of the archaeological user community. Subsequently a chapter is committed to a short overview of other European countries, with a focus on comparing the situation in England to that of the Netherlands. For while the system of both countries seems similar, with features such as commercial archaeology, a trusted repository and long archaeological tradition, there are still significant differences between both heritage management systems. Further, there is a chapter dedicated to international collaboration on making archaeological data available internationally. Malta article 8 treats the promoting and sharing of archaeological information nationally and internationally. One step taken towards this goal is the ARIADNE project, a European Union funded project in which several partners created a data infrastructure that could search international archaeological archives. The steps to attain this search portal are described, with observations on how ARIADNE needs to be improved for it to become a true asset. The work on the portal is continued in the next phase ARIADNEplus. 88 In conclusion the study finds that the connotations of article 7 have been deeply embedded in archaeology practiced in the Netherlands. This has been a cooperation of state legislation, spatial planning policy, quality guidelines and storage protocols that have been drafted through an active dialogue between archaeologists and government. This has resulted in making the archives part of the knowledge cycle, by actively incorporating old data into new research.Show less
The early modern period, spanning from c. 1500-1750 A.D., is a turbulent era for the maritime trade and the maritime landscape as a whole. Developments in shipbuilding techniques and international...Show moreThe early modern period, spanning from c. 1500-1750 A.D., is a turbulent era for the maritime trade and the maritime landscape as a whole. Developments in shipbuilding techniques and international economics means that already existing trade-routes expand and the rise of intercontinental trade and large conglomerates. The increasing importance of maritime trade is also visible in the archaeological record which shows a steady rise in the amount of shipwrecks during this period. Advances in modern technology and an ever increasing amount of fishing vessels means that these wrecks also get uncovered at a higher rate than ever before. Researching this ever growing amount of maritime archaeological sites with limited means has proven to be a challenge and many ships remain unpublished when they eventually degrade. Furthermore, when ships do get researched they are often treated as single individual sites with an outdated view of what a shipwreck assemblage actually is. Often the intangible aspects and the bigger picture are ignored. This thesis therefore aimed to research the trade-route for a large number of shipwrecks by looking at their assemblage. At the same time, the aim was to research these assemblages as efficiently as possible by using the classification system created by Reinders in the 80’s. The results show that researching trade-routes via shipwreck assemblages gives a much more detailed view of each ship’s trade-route. It is important though to first research each aspect individually to prevent any bias, before combining the results to come to a conclusion. Furthermore, the importance of the intangible aspects of a shipwreck’s assemblage becomes clear during the scope of this thesis as the information gained from this is often even more valuable than that gained from the tangible. The results also show that using the functional classification system created by Reinders makes researching shipwreck assemblages far easier and more efficient. It is even possible to link the categories from this system to specific trade-route identifying features. However, the classification system would benefit further defining its categories.Show less
