The study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to...Show moreThe study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to investigate and specifically model the spatial relationship between burial structures and houses during the Bronze and Iron Ages in North Brabant. Four primary questions were discussed: how these elements are distributed in space, whether gathered data can predict their proximity, how this relationship evolves over time and what this relation meant to these peoples. Using QGIS selected features from the sites will be used to create maps that show the relation between the different structures. These maps are then combined by period to create models based on the normal distribution the distances of houses from a grave structure. The research shows there was a trend over time and that it was possible to predict the location of a house based on the location of burial structure. The impossibility of knowing the meaning behind this relation was discussed, but two possible interpretations are given: the structures might have served as territorial markers or the location might have been tied to a ritual landscape and the houses. Finally the challenges faced during this research are discussed, including the need for more sites to enhance models an and the lack of adequately dated features is discussed. De studie van prehistorische begraafplaatsen in Nederland kent een rijke geschiedenis. Echter heeft eerder archeologisch onderzoek vaak begraafstructuren geïsoleerd bestudeerd. Deze thesis heeft als doel de ruimtelijke relatie tussen begraafstructuren en huizen tijdens het Brons- en IJzertijdperk in Noord-Brabant te onderzoeken en specifiek te modelleren. Vier hoofdvragen zijn besproken: hoe deze elementen in de ruimte zijn verdeeld, of verzamelde gegevens de locatie van huizen kunnen voorspellen, hoe deze relatie in de loop der tijd evolueert en wat deze relatie betekende voor deze bevolkingsgroepen. Met behulp van QGIS worden geselecteerde features van de locaties gebruikt om kaarten te maken die de relatie tussen de verschillende structuren laten zien. Deze kaarten worden vervolgens per periode gecombineerd om modellen te creëren op basis van de normale verdeling van de afstanden van huizen tot een grafstructuur. Het onderzoek toont aan dat er in de loop van de tijd een trend was en dat het mogelijk was om de locatie van een huis te voorspellen op basis van de locatie van een begraafstructuur. De onmogelijkheid om de betekenis achter deze relatie te kennen werd besproken, maar twee mogelijke interpretaties werden gegeven: de structuren zouden dienst hebben gedaan als territoriale markeringen, of de locatie zou verbonden kunnen zijn met een ritueel landschap en de huizen. Ten slotte worden de uitdagingen besproken die tijdens dit onderzoek zijn ondervonden, waaronder de behoefte aan meer locaties om modellen te verbeteren, en het gebrek aan voldoende gedateerde features wordt besproken.Show less
In onderhavig scriptieonderzoek wordt met een kritische blik gekeken naar de toegepaste prospectietechnieken en interpretaties van het drietal prospectieve onderzoeken in Geertjesgolf te Winssen,...Show moreIn onderhavig scriptieonderzoek wordt met een kritische blik gekeken naar de toegepaste prospectietechnieken en interpretaties van het drietal prospectieve onderzoeken in Geertjesgolf te Winssen, Moordhuizen en Angeren. Allen gelegen in het Gelderse deel van het Nederlandse rivierengebied. Tenslotte worden aanbevelingen gedaan voor toekomstige prospectieve onderzoeken binnen het rivierengebied. Aanleiding voor het onderzoek zijn de acties en gevolgen die hebben plaatsgevonden op de locaties Geertjesgolf te Winssen, Moordhuizen en Angeren, waarbij een archeologisch rijk landschap werd aangetroffen nadat de gebieden waren vrijgegeven. Ondanks dat grote delen van Geertjesgolf na deze vrijgave zijn weggegraven kon een groot gedeelte van het archeologische bodemarchief ex situ worden behouden. In het geval van Moordhuizen is zeer veel en met name bijzonder vondstmateriaal tijdens baggerwerkzaamheden verzameld. Echter is de context van het materiaal niet meer te achterhalen. Het onderzoek in Angeren daarentegen kent geen verloren archeologie. Nieuwe verwachtingsmodellen en bijbehorende prospectietechnieken tonen een haast feilloos systeem, waarmee archeologisch vindplaatsen op meerdere landschappelijk niveaus kunnen worden opgespoord. Tijdens het onderzoek veelvuldig gebruik gemaakt van literatuuronderzoek. Hierbij zijn met name (oudere) rapporten met betrekking tot het drietal onderzoeksgebieden geraadpleegd. Daarnaast is zowel analoog als digitaal kaartmateriaal bestudeerd. Het geraadpleegde kaartmateriaal had betrekking op archeologische- en landschappelijke verwachtingskaarten van de individuele onderzoeksgebieden als het Gelderse deel van het Nederlandse rivierengebied. Ten slotte heeft eigen opgedane ervaring tijdens archeologische onderzoeken in het rivierengebied als zeer belangrijke factor meegespeeld tijdens het onderzoek naar deze drietal prospectieve onderzoeken. De resultaten van onderhavig onderzoek laten zien dat relatief eenvoudige oorzaken hebben geleid tot het vrijgeven van twee van de drie onderzoeksgebieden. Een van de belangrijkste hoofdoorzaken is wellicht de misinterpretatie van komgebieden en hun onderliggende landschappen. Al vanaf de aanleg van de Betuweroute in 1995 ging men er van uit dat zij onaantrekkelijk waren voor menselijke activiteiten. Naar aanleiding van deze aanname vond in gebieden met een dergelijke bodemopbouw slechts in geringe mate archeologisch onderzoek plaats. Wanneer vervolgonderzoek wel plaats vond boorde men doorgaans slechts tot 2 a (maximaal) 3 meter, - Mv, waardoor de onderliggende landschappen vrijwel niet tot nauwelijks werden geïnterpreteerd. Daarnaast zorgde een natuurlijke factor voor verkeerde interpretaties van het landschap, namelijk de seizoenen. Doordat de rivieren in herfst en winter een relatief grote waterafvoer kennen, hadden de Maas uiterwaarden te maken met gemiddeld hoge grondwaterstanden. Als gevolg kon het opgeboorde boormonster niet tot nauwelijks worden opgehaald en beschreven. Tijdens latere onderzoeken in 2011 en 2017 werd de verkeerde interpretatie van het landschap bij Moordhuizen door middel van profieldocumentaties weer corrigeert, maar dit was immers al te laat. Groten delen waren in de jaren ervoor afgegraven en opgebaggerd. Zo ook waarschijnlijk de rijkste archeologische vindplaats van Nederland. Ondanks het grootte archeologische verlies in Geertjesgolf en Moordhuizen is een positieve leercurve op het gebied van prospectietechnieken te zien het archeologische werkveld. De landschappelijke kennis is in dermate toegenomen, waardoor archeologische vindplaatsen onder de komgebieden in groten getale tevoorschijn komen, zoals in het tracé van de verlengde Via15. Hieraan ten grondslag ligt het principediagram. Voortaan worden ingezette prospectietechnieken niet meer afgestemd op de nieuwste technieken en innovaties, maar op het type en aard van de verwachtte vindplaatsen in relatie met het landschap. Op basis van de verkregen resultaten van onderhavig onderzoek zijn aanbevelingen gegeven voor prospectief onderzoek in het rivierengebied. Eén van de hoofduitgangspunten is dat het principediagram standaard dient te worden gehandhaafd en te allen tijde dient te worden ingezet bij prospectief onderzoek in het rivierengebied. Daarnaast dient in uiterwaard- en kronkelwaarlandschappen de bodemopbouw enkel nog in kaart te worden gebracht doormiddel van profielkolommen of lengteprofielen, met een voorkeur in drogere seizoenen met een gemiddeld lage grondwaterstand. Ten slotte dienen er meer specifiek gerichte vraagstelling met betrekking het complexe rivierengebied worden opgesteld, zodat onterechte vrijgave van toekomstige onderzoeksgebieden voorkomen kan worden.Show less
This thesis explores how websites can be utilized as tools in archaeological public outreach, using a commercial excavation in Iceland as an example. A website was created around the commercial...Show moreThis thesis explores how websites can be utilized as tools in archaeological public outreach, using a commercial excavation in Iceland as an example. A website was created around the commercial excavation in Seyðisfjörður, eastern Iceland named Fjörður. The research takes place where avalanche protection walls will damage archaeological sites. The archaeology found at the site is represents Icelandic archaeology in a nutshell from the Viking Age to Modern Times. A landslide hit the village of Seyðisfjörður in December 2020. When the archaeologists started excavating the site they found large landslide layers in between cultural phases. What narrative can be told about the long-term history of the archaeological site Seyðisfjörður, including the ongoing influence of the landslides, and how can we translate that narrative to the general public? The narrative reflects how the deep history of Seyðisfjörður shows the inhabitants’ resilience against the environment and would illustrate 61 the chronology of the site in a relatable way. The relationship between outreach websites and social media is explored and how strategy in outreach is a key factor in a successful outreach campaign. The narrative also displays the work that archaeologists undertake and how they collect and research this knowledge. This has the potential to increase the awareness and benefits of the work that archaeologists do and the importance of public outreach. It increases valuation and engagement of (archaeological) heritage. Without public outreach archaeological research has no future.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
This Graduation Project revolves around the real caste study and co-creation project Berk&Hout which is situated on the boundary of the municipalities Tilburg and Udenhout (the Netherlands). An...Show moreThis Graduation Project revolves around the real caste study and co-creation project Berk&Hout which is situated on the boundary of the municipalities Tilburg and Udenhout (the Netherlands). An important element in the development of this new residential area was the excavation of a Late Bronze Age/ Early Iron Age urnfield together with settlement traces from the Bronze Age and Roman Period. The aim of this paper was to explore the possibilities of co-creation projects for archaeological research, especially for its public outreach including citizen participation. Co-creation is an upcoming concept in the field of public archaeology, a branch of archaeology that concerns itself with the interaction between the archaeological research and the public. The intention of co-creation is to create an environment in which all stakeholders of a project work together to define the goals of a project, create the plan and make joint decisions. In order for co-creation to become increasingly prevalent in the field of archaeology, the establishment of two treaties by the Council of Europe were necessary. It started with the implementation of the Malta convention (1992), which ensured conservation and protection of the archaeological heritage and with that the role of the archaeologists in society and within (development) projects. At the same time, with the Malta convention the importance of the accessibility of heritage and the role of public awareness was considered. In the Faro convention (2005) the focus on participation in cultural heritage was developed even further. The framework aided the shift in focus from how Europe’s heritage should be protected to why heritage should be accorded value. Its intention was to change the role of the public in assigning value to heritage and emphasizes that heritage should not just be defined by the heritage professionals: the democratization of heritage. It was an important step in order to facilitate co-creation projects because of a shift in the agency, the valorisation and inclusiveness of cultural heritage. The Faro convention also mentions the potential of heritage as resource for sustainable development and ability to enhance the quality of life through placemaking and creation of communities. Five case studies from Netherlands and its neighbouring countries demonstrated the potential that archaeology has in co-creation projects when designing with archaeology is used. Based on the master plan of Berk&Hout, the scientific results of the archaeological research and the stakeholder analysis, it was decided to physically implement the archaeological heritage in the landscape of Berk&Hout through designing with archaeology. Three designs were suggested that were themed around several steps from the ladder of citizen participation; information, concertation and co-creation. This research by design made apparent the possibilities and challenges that designing with archaeology offers for the field of archaeology and heritage within co-creation projects. It is a permanent and sustainable way to physically represent the heritage of a place. With active involvement of the stakeholders it can lead to community building and enhance the quality of life for an area. Co-creation and ‘designing with archaeology’ can transform the space of the development project Berk&Hout into a place again: from cremation to co-creation.Show less
The term “Latin America” is used as the common denominator that encompasses a large region with several countries whose traditions, language, and colonial background share a set of common...Show moreThe term “Latin America” is used as the common denominator that encompasses a large region with several countries whose traditions, language, and colonial background share a set of common characteristics. The paper explores the meaning of Latin American archaeology through the examples of Peruvian and Argentinian national archaeologies—the historical development of both countries and their respective archaeologies from the Colonial period to the present. The countries are first analyzed separately with a focus on their socioeconomic status and the influx of foreign theoretical trends and their impact on the development of archaeology within the context of colonialism and post-colonialism. At the beginning of the twentieth century the focus shifts on onto the “functioning” of archaeology through its legislative frameworks, university training programmes, and public archaeology. These elements are used to compare the archaeologies of Peru and Argentina to reveal their characteristic, and potentially the way in which colonialism and subsequent historical events pushed the development of archaeology. Four cases are presented with the intention of providing insight into how the theory is applied in practice. It was concluded that the pre-colonial history of the countries and their subsequent treatment significantly impacted the development of two markedly different national archaeologies who appear similar in theory but diverge in practice—when the current situation of archaeological practice and the most rudimentary elements keeping “Latin America” together are put into perspective, the archaeologies of the two countries appear to have less in common than they do at first glance.Show less
In the summer of 2010, the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University conducted an excavation at Slabroekse Heide, in the south of the Netherlands. Earlier excavations in 1923 and 2005 had...Show moreIn the summer of 2010, the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University conducted an excavation at Slabroekse Heide, in the south of the Netherlands. Earlier excavations in 1923 and 2005 had uncovered burial mounds dating to the bronze age, the iron age and the Roman period. During the 2010 excavations several „new‟ burial mounds were discovered. Despite the poor preservation, due to levelling and ploughing of the ground in modern times, some cremation graves and an inhumation grave were found. The so-called „Princess grave‟ is the rich inhumation grave of a woman who probably played an important role in the affairs of her community. The oldest elements of the grave field are burial mounds dating back to the middle or late bronze age. In the early iron age, an urnfield was constructed around the mounds, consisting of a large number of smaller mounds. Their positioning indicates a positive appreciation of the earlier graves. The urnfield is divided in two parts. The eastern part contains smaller mounds with little space between them; the western part has larger, more dispersed mounds. The meaning or function of this division is not clear. Two rows of poles were uncovered in 2005 and 2010. The longest of these may be related to this division; it does not extend, however, across even half the grave field. A more plausible explanation is that the rows were constructed in relationship to individual grave monuments, perhaps connecting them to lower-lying ritual wet places. The prehistoric use of the grave field ends with the construction of at least two grave monuments in the middle iron age. In the Roman period the grave field was used once more, but only ten graves from this period have been found. Again there seems to be a positive appreciation of the older monuments. In this period the site appears to have been used only for a short time, and by a small amount of people. No traces of habitation have been found in the vicinity from either the Roman period or the iron age. But it is likely that the people who buried their dead at Slabroekse Heide, lived on the flanks of the valley of the nearby stream known as Kraaienloop. In the fourteenth or fifteenth century, a long ditch was dug through the prehistoric gravefield which served to protect or defend the land. Apart from that, the burial mounds survived more or less intact until the early 1900‟s when the grave field was levelled and developed as farmland. In 2011, several grave monuments have been reconstructed based on the results of the 2010 excavation. Thus, the grave field is now visible in the landscape once more.Show less
The southern Netherlands is a highly discussed and intensely investigated area in the archaeology of the Netherlands. Large projects like Someren, Weert and Oss provide large amounts of information...Show moreThe southern Netherlands is a highly discussed and intensely investigated area in the archaeology of the Netherlands. Large projects like Someren, Weert and Oss provide large amounts of information. This fuels the discussion about prehistoric habitation in the area, like the Iron Age which is a crucial period of changes. A few subjects concerning this discussion are the decline of ‘wandering farmsteads’, the increase of diversity and the change towards a settled or nucleated habitation. In order to add a useful contribution to the discussion, two main research questions were constructed for this study and thesis. How are Iron Age ‘settlements’ characterised throughout the Iron Age in the southern Netherlands? Is the nucleation of habitation an abrupt change at the end of the Iron Age or is it a gradual process throughout the Iron Age? With critical notes on every step of the research, the main case study is done for the site of Oss-Horzak. The results of five other sites are incorporated in the thesis for a more broad view and comparison in the area of the southern Netherlands. These sites are: Oss-Schalkskamp, Oss-Almstein, Oss-Ussen, Weert-Molenakker, Someren-Waterdael and the four coversand ridges in Breda-west. Basically, the Early and Middle Iron Age settlements can be described as dispersed, or ‘open’. More than one farmyard on one coversand ridge might have wandered, but they could have lived as ‘open communities’. Some sites proved to have a decline of habitation in the Middle Iron Age. Oss-Horzak seems to fit in this picture, although there was a continuous habitation during the Iron Age. This, however, is not typical for the entire Oss region as Oss-Ussen proves otherwise with a gradual increase of population. The habitation in the Horzak is reinstituted before the Roman period, probably in the beginning of the Late Iron Age, considering the presence of contemporary large Iron Age ditch structure. Apart from Breda, all case study sites seem to have proof for a gradual, pre-Roman, process towards a nucleated settlement. In these cases, the term nucleation is not only based on spatial terms, but also on the cultural aspects of its meaning. Jointly features like ditch structures or enclosures have influence on the arrangements of settlements and the cultural landscape. The choice of constructing such features is probably done by leading organs, and constructed by more than one household. This suggests nucleation in a way, or at least a local community and a sense of cohesion.Show less
