In the Younger LBK, exchange networks start to change. Instead of long-distance networks, the trade becomes more local. The change in the raw material used for adzes in the Graetheide cluster in...Show moreIn the Younger LBK, exchange networks start to change. Instead of long-distance networks, the trade becomes more local. The change in the raw material used for adzes in the Graetheide cluster in southern Limburg (NL) illustrates this change. The material changes from the distant amphibolite rock to the more local lydite (phtanite) and grès-a-micas rocks. Why this happened is not yet clear, which is why we will be having a look at the LBK site of Nattenhoven. This site is suspected of being a production site for adzes in the Younger LBK. Newly accessible adze material from this site indeed shows that it is likely that the site was an adze production site. The lack of dateable finds such as fine-walled pottery have however made it difficult to determine the exact age of the site. As such, a connection to the changing trade networks cannot be made. Future research may however proof to be useful if exact dating is managed for the site.Show less
This thesis presents the results of the reanalysis of the flint assemblage from area IV(4) from the Lower Palaeolithic site Barnham East Farm, which was dated to the beginning of the Hoxnian...Show moreThis thesis presents the results of the reanalysis of the flint assemblage from area IV(4) from the Lower Palaeolithic site Barnham East Farm, which was dated to the beginning of the Hoxnian interglacial (MIS 11). Barnham is an important site to the Clactonian debated as it was the only site where it was believed that a biface assemblage was contemporaneous to a non-biface assemblage. However, new fieldwork suggested that a palimpsest was present in area IV(4). The new analysis concentrated on the technological classification of the artefacts, their distribution and preservation. Preservation was investigated by analysing abrasion, patination, breakage, edge damage and surface scratching. It was proven that, based on abrasion and distribution, a slow accumulation palimpsest (cf. Malinsky-Buller et al. 2011) is present in area IV(4). This palimpsest consists of an older, non-biface component overprinted by a younger component with evidence for biface manufacture. This is in contrast to the previous interpretation of Barnham, which concluded that the non-biface assemblage (area I) and the biface assemblage (area IV(4)) were contemporaneous. The new analysis supports a sequence with an older non-biface assemblage (Clactonian) and a younger biface assemblage (Acheulean). Two models remain that explain this sequence: the resource and landscape model (cf. Ashton 1998a), that suggests a functional reason for the disappearance of bifaces from the archaeological record, and a demographic model, that contributes the loss of bifaces to a decline in population sizes.Show less
In 2011 Clarkson and Hiscock (2011) presented several regression models for flakes with different platform types used to estimate original flake mass based on platform surface area and external...Show moreIn 2011 Clarkson and Hiscock (2011) presented several regression models for flakes with different platform types used to estimate original flake mass based on platform surface area and external platform angle in order to measure reduction intensity on lithic tools. In addition to subsampling and adding external platform surface area, Clarkson and Hiscock increased the accuracy of the regression models by using a 3D laser scanner to measure platform surface area. Most previous studies multiplied platform width and thickness as an estimate of platform surface area. In this thesis, the regression models created by Clarkson and Hiscock were tested on an archaeological sample from Colmont-Ponderosa, a Middle Palaeolithic site in Limburg, the Netherlands. Instead of a 3D laser scanner, photogrammetry was used to create 3D models. It was found that Clarkson and Hiscock’s models are not applicable on the Colmont-Ponderosa sample. New models were created using the same procedure as Clarkson and Hiscock. In addition to platform type subgroups, flake shape subgroups were made. Creating subsamples based on platform type did not influence the correlation between mass and platform surface area. Subsampling based on flake shape resulted in slightly increased correlation, probably because broader flakes have a higher mass to platform surface area than other flakes. Even though a positive linear correlation between external platform angle and mass was found, this variable was not very influential on the final regression models. It was concluded that the newly created regression models are much better at predicting original flake mass for the Colmont-Ponderosa sample. Mass predictions of individual flakes are still not very accurate, which might result in faulty results when introducing new data.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The production of bifacial tools is one of the main technological strategies practiced throughout both the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic of northwestern Europe (MIS 15 – 3; ca. 600-35 ka BP)....Show moreThe production of bifacial tools is one of the main technological strategies practiced throughout both the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic of northwestern Europe (MIS 15 – 3; ca. 600-35 ka BP). Within the broad definition of this tool category, there exist wide variation in morphological and technological properties. Additionally, the occurrence of particular biface types seems to vary, both chronologically, as well as geographically. Nowadays, many archaeologists focus on the steering mechanisms behind the observed variations and in doing so apply different methodologies. The bifacial objects used in this thesis to address these broader theoretical questions come from the southern Netherlands, a thus far marginally explored area when it comes to Palaeolithic archaeology. Published data on bifaces is combined with object registrations in the national database (ARCHIS) and primary descriptions of bifacial objects by the author to form a comprehensive dataset of 122 bifacial objects in total. Primarily, these objects are typologically classified with the help of a synthesized methodological framework that combines the main northwestern European typological traditions. The outcome of this analysis shows that the overall typological variation in bifacial objects from the southern Netherlands is more diverse than currently envisaged, which has direct consequences for the conceptualization of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic occupation of the research area. Consecutively, hypotheses for the observed variations in bifacial tool morphology are explored. Despite the limited chronostratigraphic information available for basically all objects, the combined analysis of associated geological formations, their age implications, and the distribution of particular tool types throughout norhtwestern Europe suggests that chronological differentiation in bifacial tool morphology occurs in the research area. At the same time, this explanation does not seem to fully explain the overall variation. Therefore, the technological aspects of morphological variation are explored as well. Scar pattern analysis is performed on four bifaces and shows that these all display long and extended artefact biographies during which likely different phases of use, re-use and recycling occurred. Based on the technological properties of the overall dataset it is proposed that economizing behaviours, in combination with different functional desires, have strongly affected biface morphology in the research area. The final hypothesis explaining variation is that of socio-cultural interactions. A re-analysis of bifacial tools from Sint Geertruid, previously used in such models by other researchers, in combination with their depositional context shows that the current dataset is unsuited for contributing to supra-regional contemporaneous cultural interactions between Neanderthal groups. This examination of the bifacial record of the southern Netherlands has shown that this material has higher potential for understanding hominin occupation and behaviour in this particular region than is currently being exploited. Finally, some suggestions for how to come to such understandings are proposed.Show less
Ever since its discovery, the Châtelperronian levels of the Grotte du Renne have been the subject of extensive debate. The excavations directed by André Leroi-Gourhan at the Grotte du Renne have...Show moreEver since its discovery, the Châtelperronian levels of the Grotte du Renne have been the subject of extensive debate. The excavations directed by André Leroi-Gourhan at the Grotte du Renne have yielded Châtelperronian type stone tools as well as symbolic artefacts such as pendants and pigments. The association of these finds together with multiple Neanderthal teeth and a temporal bone, led to the conclusion by Leroi-Gourhan Neanderthals were the makers of the Chatelperroian artefacts, including the ornaments. The ambiguity of this association is caused by the complex stratigraphy of the Grotte du Renne due to phases of extensive destruction of the interior of the cave due to the karstic nature of the region. Furthermore, symbolic artefacts have traditionally been associated with Homo sapiens and the Upper Paleolithic. These factors have led some to conclude the Neanderthal teeth have moved up from the Mousterian levels and the ornaments down from the Aurignacian levels, which are also present at the Grotte du Renne, Conflicting radiocarbon dates have not solved this problem. In this thesis, the available data from the Grotte du Renne has been assessed which has led to the conclusion the majority of the finds have been recovered in situ. Therefore, the ornaments from the Grotte du Renne have been made by Neaderthals indicating a symbolic aspect to their material cultre and the integrity of the Châtelperronian levels at the Grotte du Renne.Show less
The research examines Neanderthal fossil sites containing more than one individual and investigates the existence of Neanderthal mortuary spaces, a place associated with death, among them. An...Show moreThe research examines Neanderthal fossil sites containing more than one individual and investigates the existence of Neanderthal mortuary spaces, a place associated with death, among them. An overview of Neanderthal fossil sites with respect to the number of individuals indicates that almost 50% contains more than one individuals. The ones with more than five individuals are studied in detail concerning the main features of mortuary space: multiple burial, spatial organization and temporal restriction. At least three sites (La Ferrassie, Shanidar and Amud) appear to be mortuary spaces. On these sites multiple burial and spatial organization are evident but temporal restriction is hard to detect in the existing documentation. No general patterns were detected but traditions within sites are clear. Local natural elements are highly involved in burial structures and in spatial organization, indicating creative landscape use, which could account for the locality of traditions. The existence of mortuary space suggests modernity in Neanderthals behaviour. It also implies that mortuary behaviour emerged gradually and existed in elaborate ways in other species than ours.Show less
