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
For over a century aerial photography has been used in archaeology to detect traces of the past in the landscape. With the emergence of citizen science projects and vast amounts of remotely sensed...Show moreFor over a century aerial photography has been used in archaeology to detect traces of the past in the landscape. With the emergence of citizen science projects and vast amounts of remotely sensed data, Leiden University has developed a successful citizen science project in the Veluwe and Utrechtse Heuvelrug called ‘Heritage Quest’. Because of its success in both identifying hitherto unknown archaeological heritage and in engaging participants with their local heritage, other actors such as the province of Zeeland have shown interest in adapting the Heritage Quest formula or developing their own citizen science project. However, due to the different nature of the Holocene, agricultural landscape of Zeeland compared to the Pleistocene, forested landscape of the Veluwe and Utrechtse Heuvelrug and differences in the archaeological heritage which can be found in both regions, a different approach to citizen science than the approach of the original Heritage Quest was needed. This thesis research focusses on the possibilities of a ‘Heritage Quest’ type citizen science project for the province of Zeeland. Instead of using LiDAR data, which is useful in mapping archaeological objects through the canopy of trees and bushes, orthomosaic satellite imagery disclosed through PDOK has been used to assess the potential viability of a citizen science project in Zeeland. Because of the agricultural nature of most of the province, satellite imagery could potentially be a powerful tool in identifying archaeological heritage. The imagery used in this research was remotely sensed during the summer months of 2016 up to 2022 and has a ground resolution of 25 centimeters. For the year 2021 satellite imagery was only available from the spring months, with a ground resolution of 8 centimeters. For the year 2022 both the summer imagery with a ground resolution of 25 centimeters and spring imagery with a ground resolution of 8 centimeters was used. To assess the viability of using satellite imagery, three different object classes have been chosen to explore further, resulting in a total of 24 different archaeological features which can be seen in the imagery and have been described in this research. Furthermore, to assess which aspects of the original Heritage Quest project could be adapted or needed to be changed, the original Heritage Quest project and three other international citizen science projects have been described after which they were critically reviewed in the discussion chapter. This thesis research has resulted in the discovery of multiple hitherto-unknown archaeological features, including potential Zeeuwse mounds, dykes, fortifications from the Dutch revolt and traces of the former cultural landscape of Zeeland. Using satellite imagery to identify archaeological heritage in the Province of Zeeland by means of a citizen science project can not only provide a lot of new archaeological data, but also increase historical awareness and create a sense of stewardship in its participants. This would not only lead to the identification of more archaeological sites, but also further protection efforts of archaeological heritage in Zeeland. Although there will be some 73 differences from the original Heritage Quest project, a very similar citizen science project for the province of Zeeland which would include some prior training could yield valuable results.Show less
The Yde Girl (42 BC - 59 AD) is undoubtedly one of the most famous bog finds in Europe. She was discovered in 1897 during peat cutting activities and has been on display at the Drents Museum Assen ...Show moreThe Yde Girl (42 BC - 59 AD) is undoubtedly one of the most famous bog finds in Europe. She was discovered in 1897 during peat cutting activities and has been on display at the Drents Museum Assen (Drenthe, Netherlands) ever since. She was found with 5 textile fragments which most likely formed a coloured cloak. Textiles from this type of contexts are rare: in the soil they easily decompose due to the fragility of organic fibres, making textiles in archaeological contexts one of the rarer find categories. Often, only minuscule textile fragments remain and by the time of collection it is no longer possible to trace what they may have been part of. Additionally, any remnants of dyes wash away with rain and groundwater run-off causing textiles to take on the brown color of the soil which further contributes to the idea that pre(historical) costume was just a drab affair. In this research, I digitally documented and visualized the production methods used and highlighted that the garments of Yde Girl also possessed symbolic value through microscopic analysis and literature research.Show less
The goal of this thesis research is to test if the prevalence of vertebral pathological conditions reflect hard labour/tough life in the Arnhem Eusebiuskerk population and a lowstatus, middle...Show moreThe goal of this thesis research is to test if the prevalence of vertebral pathological conditions reflect hard labour/tough life in the Arnhem Eusebiuskerk population and a lowstatus, middle-status and high-status population from London. The vertebral pathological conditions that have been compared are vertebral osteoarthritis, osteophytes, intervertebral disc disease, Schmorl’s nodes and fusion. First, the prevalence of the vertebral pathological conditions have been compared between the Arnhem population and the three London populations. After that, the prevalence has been compared between the males and females within each population followed by a comparison of the prevalence across the age categories. The latter has been done for each population as well. Lastly, the male and female sample of the populations have been compared separately between the Arnhem population and the three London populations. To summarise, there does seem to be a relationship between vertebral pathology and social status in the Arnhem and London populations. Most vertebral pathological conditions are namely more prevalent in the low-status Arnhem population than in the higher status London populations. The prevalence of the vertebral pathological conditions in the lowstatus St. Arnhem population is similar to that of the low-status St. Bride’s Lower Churchyard population. Based on this, it can be inferred that the vertebral pathological conditions are more common in the lower status populations than in the higher status populations of this thesis. This could have been the result of the kind of labour these status groups were involved in. Furthermore, there does seem to be a difference in the prevalence of the vertebral pathological conditions between males and females; in three out of four populations (all except the St. Benet Sherehog population) males may have had harder working conditions than the females. When the prevalence in the male and female sample of the population were compared between Arnhem and the three London populations separately, a trend can be seen that may indicate that at least the males of the Arnhem population had harder working conditions than those in the other populations. The results have also shown that there are some biases. The first bias is that the statistically significant differences in the vertebral pathological conditions are more influenced by the male sample than by the female sample in all populations with Schmorl’s nodes likely being influenced by biological variation to some extent. Furthermore, the development of many of the vertebral pathological conditions are, at least to some extent, influenced by age in all populations.Show less
Otitis media, commonly known as middle ear inflammation, demonstrated a high prevalence rate in history. This trend also persists today. This condition is influenced by a combination of...Show moreOtitis media, commonly known as middle ear inflammation, demonstrated a high prevalence rate in history. This trend also persists today. This condition is influenced by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, of which the most important for the context of this thesis are urbanization and air pollution, joined by overcrowding. Mastoiditis is closely associated with otitis media, as it often arises as a consequence of untreated otitis media. In the field of osteology, various diagnostic methods are used to identify otitis media, leading to a problem in comparison and verification of results obtained through different methods. So, what is the interrelationship of these methods? Do they produce similar results? The main aim of this thesis was to answer this question. To investigate the interrelationship of these diagnostic methods, a sample of 97 individuals from post-medieval Arnhem, the Netherlands, was analyzed. The methods selected for the analysis were chosen from diverse case-studies, with each method focusing on the analysis of a specific skeletal element. These elements included auditory ossicles, the temporal bone around the external auditory meatus, and the mastoid process. The method focusing on the mastoid process is utilized for diagnosing mastoiditis, rather than otitis media. In addition to the three primary methods, two other diagnostic approaches were included in the analysis. These methods involved the utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans to assess mastoid air cells pneumatization and endoscopic examination of the cochlear promontory. Dataset collected by Casna et al. (2023a) was used, as they were the ones utilizing these two methods. The findings of this study revealed relatively low concurrence rates among the three primary diagnostic methods, and even lower rates when all five methods were compared. The presence of such results called for an exploration of explanatory models that would aim to explain such low concurrence rates. Additionally, factors possibly influencing the results were also considered. This research underscores the need for developing a universal and standardized method for diagnosing otitis media. The lack of agreement among the diagnostic methods suggests not all of them are linked to the same underlying cause, therefore signifying the need for a better approach. While this research provided valuable insight into the interrelationship of some of the diagnostic methods, further research that would compare other methods that have not been compared here is necessary for better understanding of the complexity of situation surrounding otitis media diagnosis in osteoarchaeology.Show less
This research is an analysis and interpretation of the Gandharan School of Buddhist art, which is popularly also known as Graeco-Buddha art. Commonly, this school of art has been considered as...Show moreThis research is an analysis and interpretation of the Gandharan School of Buddhist art, which is popularly also known as Graeco-Buddha art. Commonly, this school of art has been considered as drawing heavy Hellenistic influence and was considered to be producing the first iconic image of Buddha through sculptures. The thesis revisits the popular conceptions and attempts to deconstruct these ideas to understand the artistic identities and influences surrounding this Buddhist School of Art. The thesis poses a twofold main question– 1: What are the predominant misconceptions concerning the Gandharan School of Art and where did these originate from? 2: The impact of these misconceptions on past and current museum displays and the impact on cultural heritage of the Gandharan School of Art as well as the heritage management of these archaeological artefacts. These questions have been answered by analysing the historiography of early archaeological excavations in the Gandharan region and a brief discussion on the importance of provenance research due to the colonial connotation to the early research done on the Gandharan School of Art. Discussions and critical analysis on the importance of material evidence and its analysis through composition, research on the techniques and materials used in the production of the sculptures and by understanding the importance of smaller, more intra- regional artistic identities of the Buddhist Gandharan art as well as finding more scientifically accurate data. There is also emphasis on Gandhara as a region being subject to many political empires and the exchange of cultures, people and trade which led to its development. Some scholarship, supplemented with Buddhist texts were also used to study the actual iconography and symbolism used in Gandharan art and its own development as a school of art. 83 Two case studies were also used to understand the impact of the misconceptions of Gandharan Art in museums and heritage spaces by analysing the Indian Museum, Kolkata and the Gandharan Gallery at the Indian Museum Kolkata including brief archaeological analysis of objects. There is also a study done on the state of management of the Indian Museum, Kolkata and proposed suggestions to foster better heritage practices and adhere to a high standard of cultural heritage protection and education. The research led to certain conclusions some of them being– the ancient symbolisms and presence of early Buddhist art that precedes Gandharan art which has very similar illustrations as that of the latter. Another importance observation was on the importance of supplementing Pali canons and Buddhist texts such as the Jātakas on which the Gandharan School of Art and every Buddhist art is created as it is ritualistic in function. Data derived from material and technological analysis of the Gandharan objects yielded useful. The extent of Hellenistic influence was also challenged in the research as well. Lastly, the protection and representation of cultural heritage in our case studies of the Indian Museum gave us insight into one of the earliest museums that houses Gandharan objects and a set of propositions to improve heritage management practices.Show less
In this master thesis, finding the significance(s) of conflict archaeology is key, with the Battle of Arnhem (September 1944) as a case study. This event, like (all) other battles and narratives of...Show moreIn this master thesis, finding the significance(s) of conflict archaeology is key, with the Battle of Arnhem (September 1944) as a case study. This event, like (all) other battles and narratives of WW2, or even of our contemporary past as a whole, has been researched by historical, rather than archaeological sources and views. Using the data of excavations from professional archaeology, but also the results, methods and motives from non-archaeological initiatives, be it local museums or individual or united metal detectorists, an overview of the widespread of several different stakeholders that are being involved in the remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem is given. Also involved in heritage are the Ministry of Defence (Netherlands Armed Forces) and commercial unexploded ordnance (UXO-)companies, both literally coming into contact with ground dug items, but these were no part of this thesis, as giving a full, complete overview of all heritage from the soil archive seemed too ambitious. Through several case studies and some examples from all available nonarchaeological data, a selection of non-professional archaeological finds from the Battle of Arnhem was presented for the first time. Furthermore, by consulting all data from professional archaeology and combining the results and methods with the motivations and initiatives from other discussed, aforementioned, stakeholders, an attempt at a synthesizing level is made. Using this, different views on, for example, remembrance and education, are presented. Especially the role archaeology can play in the “broader meaning” and “democratising” of heritage, and the role it may have for all involved specific communities, is being discussed. Through this, “prevalent opinions” may be challenged and deviant narratives may arise, and the potential of an interdisciplinary approach becomes clear: challenging dominant narratives, providing a more complete and nuanced picture of the past, and promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of history by cooperation, and by consulting and respecting all involved stakeholders, which is in line with the Faro Treaty.Show less
Scars of War is a so-called Citizen Science project in which volunteers are part of the research team. By using LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), which are detailed height maps, height...Show moreScars of War is a so-called Citizen Science project in which volunteers are part of the research team. By using LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), which are detailed height maps, height differences in the landscape are clearly visible and unnatural, man-made changes can be recognized. From behind the desk, volunteers can look for traces from the World War (II) on cut-outs of this LiDAR data. The three categories that are searched for during this project are: bomb craters, trenches and ammunition depots. World War II heritage is a sensitive heritage and must be treated with respect. The aim of this research is therefore to gain an idea of what measures have been taken (or are necessary) to publish and/or present these war remains to the public in an ethical and responsible way. This then leads to a series of recommendations for a public presentation of the results of the Scars of War project. The Second World War is a period that has always been in the spotlight and is of interest to many people. World War II sites are not just historical locations where something happened that can be visited. They are locations where something also happens to us, as an audience, when it is visited. Heritage from the Second World War carries an extra layer of emotions and opinions and is therefore also referred to as 'Contested Heritage'. Reaching the public therefore often entails many difficulties. But nonetheless it is very important to inform the public about the subject. By keeping the public involved in archaeology and heritage from the World War II period, more support and appreciation is created. This period in history is relatively recent and so it may cause the public to feel a sense of responsibility. It is therefore often referred to as the Heritage Cycle. The public wants more than just to read or look at the results of an archaeological investigation, they want to be involved in the research. The aim of this thesis is to make a public presentation of the results of Scars of War. To this end, research has been done into the various possibilities of audience reach and how the digital world influences audience reach. Various aspects of public outreach are discussed, for example, it is made clear why public outreach is clear at all and what the influence of the public is on the heritage. During the research, a lot of comparative research was done and within the research many different cases of public outreach products and presentations were discussed in which the good and less good aspects of that specific form of public outreach are discussed. These findings are then summarized and translated into a series of recommendations for a public presentation for the Scars of War project.Show less
The World Heritage Site of Aksum represents one of Late Antiquity’s most impressive civilizations. Yet, the archaeological materials representing Africa's impressive ancient civilization are...Show moreThe World Heritage Site of Aksum represents one of Late Antiquity’s most impressive civilizations. Yet, the archaeological materials representing Africa's impressive ancient civilization are scattered across museums worldwide, with inadequate categorization, documentation, and ongoing research. Furthermore, the management of the Aksum World Heritage Site has consistently fallen short, as highlighted by both archaeological and ICOMOS reports. Its issues are fundamental and all-encompassing, ranging from urban encroachment and illicit excavating, to severe flood risks and destabilization of the site's iconic monuments. Additionally, political instability in Ethiopia has further hindered the preservation and recognition of Aksum's archaeological significance. This thesis aims to address these challenges by contributing to the study of Aksumite archaeology and proposing strategies to increase public awareness of the threatened Aksumite heritage. Firstly, this thesis endeavors to create a comprehensive overview of current historical, archaeological knowledge on ancient Aksum and its often overlooked Aksumite material collections, which have been dispersed due to Ethiopia's colonial history. By gathering and organizing this dispersed knowledge, the thesis seeks to shed light on the impressive materiality of ancient Aksum. Building on these findings, the research proposes a strategy to generate public outreach for Aksumite heritage by harnessing innovative digital technologies. By thoroughly researching the use of digital platforms, immersive experiences, and interactive tools, this thesis seeks to bridge the gap between the scattered material collections and the global heritage community, by aiming to make the Aksumite heritage more visible, accessible and interactive. By comprehensively addressing the issues of neglect, mismanagement, and lack of integration into global historical narratives, while simultaneously proposing practically applicable strategies towards effective heritage outreach, this research strives to revitalize the recognition and preservation of the Aksumite heritage. The thesis underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect and showcase the Aksumite heritage before it remains forever hidden from modern science.Show less
This thesis contextualizes the archaeological site of San Hironimo, a former contact site on Curaçao by comparing the settlement layout and the material culture to other contact sites in the...Show moreThis thesis contextualizes the archaeological site of San Hironimo, a former contact site on Curaçao by comparing the settlement layout and the material culture to other contact sites in the broader Caribbean. On Curaçao, the contact period begins with the arrival of the Spanish in 1499 on the island. The island was inhabited by the Indigenous population, the Caquetío. They primarily lived in villages throughout the island. The arrival of the Spaniards would have disastrous consequences for the native inhabitants. The majority of the Indigenous population was enslaved and deported against their will to Santo Domingo to work there in the gold mines. Only a fraction of the population remained. They had no free will, and their villages, including Ascension, were supervised by the Spanish. The Spanish were not the only Europeans who wanted to colonize Curaçao. In the 17th century, the Dutch defeated the Spanish and took over Curaçao. During the expulsion of the Spanish, the Dutch burned down Ascension. For a long time, the exact location of Ascension was unknown because the oldest maps that portrayed the village were inaccurate. Throughout the years, people began to search for the contact villages. In the 1980s and 1990s, objects of Indigenous and colonial material were collected on an archaeological site in the western part of Curaçao. The archaeologist Jay Haviser found clues in historical documents and on the oldest maps of the island, that this could possibly be Ascension. To confirm his beliefs, he conducted prospective research in the area in 1987. After his research, no information about the settlement layout, nor a feature analysis or material analysis was published. Additionally, his research was conducted in 1987 and since then new archaeological research methods have been introduced. To obtain more information about the contact village Ascension and the contact period in general in Curaçao, this thesis was written. This thesis uses the available knowledge that has already been documented in historical documents concerning the contact period in Curaçao. Especially, the published information about the contact period and the contact sites on Curaçao. Furthermore, new information will be revealed about the settlement layout and the material assembly of the San Hironimo site. Namely, for this thesis a feature analysis and a material analysis have been conducted with the assistance of archaeological (digital) methods that have been introduced after the time of Haviser’s excavation. The features encountered during the excavation were of Indigenous origin and were primarily found in the northern area of the research area. Features consisted of postholes, graves of an adult and child, and a pit. The artefacts collected at the site were mostly of Indigenous origin. However, European colonial material was present as well. The San Hironimo site is compared to contemporary contact villages of El Cabo in the Dominican Republic and Argyle on St. Vincent. The material culture collected at those sites show similarities with the San Hironimo collection. Especially, in the retrieved colonial material. Following previous excavations in the Lesser Antilles and Greater Antilles, the San Hironimo site fits perfectly in the picture of a contact site in the beginning of colonization in the Caribbean.Show less
Social networks are analysed to identify connections between archaeological phenomena, such as pottery assemblages, communication networks, and sites. This can be done by linking these phenomena...Show moreSocial networks are analysed to identify connections between archaeological phenomena, such as pottery assemblages, communication networks, and sites. This can be done by linking these phenomena using statistical methods or abstract network models. However, the use of abstract, computer-generated networks to study empirical datasets has been underused in archaeology. Therefore, employing computational models from other academic disciplines can benefit from this lack of abstract network analysis. This study analyses how various computer-generated networks influence the rate of adoption of the Bell Beaker pottery in the Lower Rhine Region. The Bell Beaker pottery is a Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age material culture that had been widespread across Western and Central Europe. For more than a century, there has been much debate on how the Bell Beaker phenomenon became prevalent in the archaeological record. The spread of the Bell Beaker pottery can be analysed in the context of the Lower Rhine Region by using the sociological concept of diffusion of innovations. In this thesis, the diffusion of innovations is applied to an agent-based model in which the spread of the Bell Beaker phenomenon in the Lower Rhine Region is simulated. In this model, various computer-generated networks were tested to analyse which network type fits the Bell Beaker data the best. This data is comprised of pottery frequencies from settlement sites which were chronologically organised to show how the Bell Beaker pottery was distributed over time. The results from the simulation were compared to the communication network of the Lower Rhine Region devised by Kleijne (2019). The results of this comparison show that the diffusion of the Bell Beaker phenomenon was initially fast but stagnated later in time. The diffusion was transmitted over a network structure in which a few nodes have a central position in connecting the entire network (scale-free network). The results indicate that using abstract, computer-generated networks is a suitable approach to assessing archaeological networks. Additionally, the application of theoretical and computational models from other academic disciplines can contribute to archaeological theory building. Further research is needed to test other types of network structures that were not applicable to the model used in this thesis.Show less
This thesis examines the ongoing division between nature and culture in international heritage management. Despite efforts to integrate both aspects, the division persists and is often reinforced...Show moreThis thesis examines the ongoing division between nature and culture in international heritage management. Despite efforts to integrate both aspects, the division persists and is often reinforced by international heritage processes and categorisations, historically established, and promoted by organisations like UNESCO, which contributes to a disconnect between local, national, and international processes, frequently marginalising local communities. Through a multidisciplinary approach this thesis examines the impact of World Heritage listings that incorporate both natural and cultural criteria, using the case study of Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) in the Indian state of Sikkim. Inscribed as India’s first mixed natural and cultural World Heritage Site in 2016, the KNP boasts a remarkable range of environments, resulting in exceptional biodiversity. Additionally, the landscape holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for local communities such as the Lepcha, and international Buddhist communities, who consider it a sacred hidden land. These relationships have established unique customs, worldviews, material culture, and traditional knowledge. In this context, natural and cultural heritage are intricately interconnected, providing an opportunity to explore whether mixed listings can transcend the traditional Western dichotomy of nature versus culture and enable more integrated heritage management.Show less
This thesis aims to assess the risks of the consequences of climate change for the preservation of the archaeological remains of Roman maritime villas (ca. 200 BC-500 AD) on the coast of South...Show moreThis thesis aims to assess the risks of the consequences of climate change for the preservation of the archaeological remains of Roman maritime villas (ca. 200 BC-500 AD) on the coast of South-Latium, Italy and the surrounding cultural landscape. This will be done using the relatively new methodology “Cultural Vulnerability Index”(CVI) tool for heritage which is a valuesbased, rapid risk-assessment methodology developed for cultural and natural world-heritage (Day et al., 2019, p. 5). The CVI assessment first evaluates which key values are relevant forthe heritage, and after, how these values will be affected by different climate hazards. After which, the adaptive capacity of the community is taken into account, to better assess, what the impact on the community will be. The final outcome is a three point scale judgement of the vulnerability of the heritage values to the relevant climate hazards. The main advantages of the CVI methodology is that it balancesscience and practice into one structured and rapid methodology. The methodology is adjusted to fit the current study which assesses non-world heritage sites. Moreover, the current study is performed fully remotely using a spatial, GIS-based risk-assessment model as input for the CVI assessment. The model operates for different climate hazards, on different scales, for a rapid assessment. Because of its layered character, it can be easily adjusted to fit additional climate hazards or wider scales and other research areas. The model is constructed using only open data and open software. The risk-assessment model shows that even in a low-impact future climate scenarios, different climate hazards pose a serious threat to the Roman maritime villas. The CVI assessment shows that the key values of the heritage are highly vulnerable for climate hazards that are relevant for the study area. This study has shown that the CVI methodology can also be applied to non-world heritage sites. It has also shown that the CVI assessment can be carried out remotely, using a riskassessment model. The risk-assessment model can be complementary to the CVI-assessment as it provides better insight into the future course of climate hazards A limitation of the remote CVI assessment is that it affords a less detailed picture of the current state of the heritage. Finally, this study’s result reflect positively on the developments within the open science movement, proving that open data and open software can fruitfully be employed for heritage management.Show less
There is increasing recognition in academia that the colonial legacy can have untold psychological consequences. Yet, the extent of these consequences and their absolute reality has not been fully...Show moreThere is increasing recognition in academia that the colonial legacy can have untold psychological consequences. Yet, the extent of these consequences and their absolute reality has not been fully explored, in the context of Saint Lucian cultural and heritage development and grassroots NGOs. Although cultural trauma theory has set out to remedy this, the full potential of cultural trauma theory has not been realised, both in critical heritage studies and in discerning heritage development in Saint Lucia. This research aims to investigate through utilising a decolonial cultural trauma lens, to determine and understand cultural and heritage development, in relation to Saint Lucians' perception and engagement of it. The research focuses on the Folk Research Centre, a Saint Lucian grassroots NGO and their heritage project of Plas Sesenne. To examine why the Folk Research Centre has not been successful in establishing valorisation and cultural consciousness, among the Saint Lucians and why Saint Lucians do not express interest in such developments. Based on the review of key literature on cultural trauma theory and grassroots NGOs in a global context, an ethnographic methodology was adopted to carry out data collection. Key methods such as immersive participant observation and conversational semi-structured interviews were utilised, as well as having a varied sample group. Detailed analysis of the qualitative data demonstrated that to best understand the research problem, is to see the key factors as part of a larger entanglement, one influencing the other. The key findings can be described as; internal, external and historical. The challenges faced by the Folk Research Centre and the apathy experienced by Saint Lucians, point to a shared experience of the postcolonial condition, shaped by the cultural trauma induced by the colonial legacy. The findings indicate how incorporating a decolonial cultural trauma theory into the postcolonial condition, would allow for better discernment of the issues that exist. In a more practical sense, this would provide insight into how the Folk Research Centre could overcome these challenges, in order to establish valorising heritage projects that resonate with the Saint Lucians on a more fundamental level.Show less
The primary objective of this thesis is to construct a predictive model that can be used to study the Stone Age on insular, partly submerged and submerged landscapes of Greece. The chosen research...Show moreThe primary objective of this thesis is to construct a predictive model that can be used to study the Stone Age on insular, partly submerged and submerged landscapes of Greece. The chosen research area is the central Ionian Sea, as it combines diverse landscapes that have undergone dynamic changes due to eustatism and high tectonic activity. In detail, the model aimed at studying various environmental factors and their effect on the distribution of finds across the three main time periods of the Stone Age, both in terms of their original deposition and their present-day location. In addition, it aimed at studying and integrating social and cultural factors, to explore the available digital material and to use primarily open source data. The materials used were known locations of archaeological finds based on the “Prehistoric Stones of Greece” dataset, and a variety of digital maps, retrieved by European Union sites such as Copernicus and EMODnet and Natura 2000, and by national sites, for example YPEN. These datasets were open source with various Creative Commons licenses. The resolution of maps varied across each source. In order to properly examine the datasets and assess their contribution, the following process was followed. First, the known locations per time periods were split in two parts, from which the 70% was used in building the model and the rest 30% was kept for testing the model. Subsequently, the known locations were studied along with a series of maps in order to establish patterns, which were then compared to the literature. The main potential disturbances of soil and factors hindering research and findability of finds were also considered. The main factors affecting the distribution were considered to be proximity to water, elevation, depth and landslide susceptibility. No social or cultural factors could be integrated in the model. Three more factors were modelled and added, including the Natura 2000 areas, forested and increase artificial disturbances areas. Six predictive values were created, with number (1) combining low elevations (<100masl) and proximity to modern-day water bodies, and the lowest (6) being the underwater areas with depth higher than -1000. One model was created for all three time periods, due to the overall similarity of observed patterns. The resulting model was tested with the withheld sample of locations and it showed that the values carrying the majority of finds are Value 3 and 1 for the Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic, and Value 1 and then 3 for the Neolithic. In conclusion, post depositional processes seem to have largely affected the 150 distribution, but predictive modelling can still be effective. In term of social and cultural factors, more research is needed before they can be integrated in a model, especially on the first two periods of the Stone Age. Finally, it is possible to create a predictive model of the Greek Stone Age by using mostly open source material and open data.Show less
This thesis analysed how recreational divers' interactions with underwater cultural heritage (UCH) can positively add to UCH's narrative, values, and safeguarding. Investigation on this topic...Show moreThis thesis analysed how recreational divers' interactions with underwater cultural heritage (UCH) can positively add to UCH's narrative, values, and safeguarding. Investigation on this topic included the creation of interactions and values coupled with a review of the relevance of current laws and scuba schools’ education pertaining to UCH. Nonetheless, recreational scuba divers are recurrently sidelined as stakeholders in preserving the longevity of UCH, oftentimes due to a lack of knowledge and awareness, despite them being the core community able to interact with UCH. As a piece of collective history, cultural heritage belongs to the community and should be an accessible experience. Methods of investigation included both desk-based and ethnographic research. Observations from desk-based research on ocean dynamics highlighted the anthropocentric mindset of current understandings of legislation and education, which influences individuals' interactions and values. These experiences are all subjective to the beholder, shifting the discussion from 'how do we value' to 'how do we live' with UCH. While ethnographic research in the form of interviews with recreational dive professionals emphasised the need to adhere to simple mottos to instil proper etiquette while diving on UCH, regardless of the dive site (nature vs culture) and call for more accountability from scuba schools to relay universal guidelines. Questionnaires from maritime archaeologists and heritage managers gave a professional perspective on the recreational dive community and their interactions with UCH, demonstrating that personal narratives shift the interpretation of our affiliation regardless of how objective one can be on a subject. By taking into account the issue of recreational divers' impact having a direct bearing on UCH, it can be deduced that with training and education, the negative effects may be greatly minimised. Achieving this will be an ongoing process that requires continual monitoring while keeping an open and ongoing dialogue, ensuring no voices remain unheard. Finally, by advocating that UCH is a resource of economic benefit, the scuba diving industry's potential within the Blue Economy is valued. Ultimately, making UCH more accessible will ensure its longevity and survival.Show less
Collections constitute a form of remembrance and manifest a need for belonging – they are created to fulfil the need to maintain what is ostensibly forgotten and lost. They represent an effort to...Show moreCollections constitute a form of remembrance and manifest a need for belonging – they are created to fulfil the need to maintain what is ostensibly forgotten and lost. They represent an effort to sustain life and an opposition to death and mortality. What connects archaeology, psychoanalysis and collecting? How did archaeology and psychoanalysis contribute to the development of Freud’s cultural identity and therefore his collection? How can we understand the inherent function of Freud's collection? Freud’s collection of antiquities composes an ever-prominent desire to remember, to travel, to feel – it is a mere act of sustaining what seems dreamlike. The inevitable and apparent attachment of the collector to his objects is the starting point of this research. What defines the act of collecting? This research seeks to investigate the crucial role of inner thoughts, feelings and experiences in the construction of such assemblages and aspires to prove collections as something more than the mere accumulation of meaningless objects and ambiguous creations. Furthermore, it will seek to prove that collections are the outcome of several networks of relationships and events that took place in particular periods of time and influenced their character. The educational and religious background and social, political, –as well as– historical scene at the time of Freud had a considerable effect on his emotional and cognitive development and it is well reflected in his collection. This study will not merely be a comment on the objects that constitute Freud’s collection, but instead aspires to be an excavation - research that will focus on the onsets and nature of the collecting procedure and the hidden emotional and psychological procedures that led Freud to the acquisition of each of those objects. The Deleuzian notion of desire will provide this research with tools to explore the productive process of collecting.Show less
Throughout human history, spices and their trade have been a phenomenon with the power to shape our world and our history. Their study has been primarily performed through historical research, and...Show moreThroughout human history, spices and their trade have been a phenomenon with the power to shape our world and our history. Their study has been primarily performed through historical research, and with the development of RADAR as a tool for performing archaeobotanical analysis in the Netherlands at unprecedented scales, it has become possible to approach the research of spices from an entirely different angle. In this thesis, the archaeobotanical record housed in RADAR and a historical record comprised of culinary sources are combined to study three taxa that are used to produce three spices with similar tastes and functions: melegueta pepper (A. melegueta), capsicum pepper (Capsicum spp.) and black pepper (P. nigrum). In order to fit these records for the purpose of studying food habits in the Northern Low Countries, the archaeobotanical record has been limited to cesspits for their suitability for studying human and domestic waste, and the historical record has been limited to sources that were originally written in the Dutch language. The roles of the studied taxa in Dutch culinary history will be studied from the year 1300 CE, around which A. melegueta was first introduced in the region, to 1900 CE, when cesspits were largely out of use as waste management tools. Within this period, the progressive presence of each taxon will be studied separately as well as combined, in order to study the effects of the introductions of A. melegueta and Capsicum spp. into the Northern Low Countries on the presence of the already present P. nigrum. The archaeobotanical approach consists of two levels: national and local. At the national level, the presence of each studied taxon will be mapped out across the centuries in the period 1300 – 1900 CE, as well as across the studied area of the Northern Low Countries. At the local level, the archaeobotanical analysis reports from which the record in RADAR is retrieved are used to explore the roles of the studied taxa in a few Dutch cities. The historical approach is aimed constructing an idea of the popularity of the studied spices through their frequency of use and the food items that they are associated with. This dual approach creates a multidisciplinary research model that expands our understanding of the studied spices and, if proven successful, could be applied to the study of other taxa or in other geographical areas.Show less
