In this thesis a use-wear study has been done on the Mesolithic submerged Stone Age sites around Hjarnø. During there where three focus points. The first point of focus is the possibilities of use...Show moreIn this thesis a use-wear study has been done on the Mesolithic submerged Stone Age sites around Hjarnø. During there where three focus points. The first point of focus is the possibilities of use-wear on flint from submerged sites. The second is the activities for which the flint has been used. And lastly the excavation techniques and the damage it might do was looked into. In order to get a better idea of possible traces the sea and shell middens might leave several experiments have been carried out.Show less
Biological kinship is a phenomenon inherent in all people. Therefore, it is no wonder that it is an often-researched topic in bioarchaeology. Even though a living person could speak about their kin...Show moreBiological kinship is a phenomenon inherent in all people. Therefore, it is no wonder that it is an often-researched topic in bioarchaeology. Even though a living person could speak about their kin, the bones of people long passed have another way of saying who their relatives are. The approach used in this research examines cranial non-metric traits, the morphological variants appearing on the skull. This study investigated the relationship between biological kinship and cranial non-metric traits in the Middenbemster skeletal collection. Examining these traits aimed to gain further insight into familial connections within the cemetery, adding to previous studies that only focused on dental non-metric traits and foot anomalies. To estimate the familial relationships in the Middenbeemster skeletal collection, the data on 27 cranial non-metric traits were collected in 213 adult individuals. The traits were visually scored as present, absent, or unobservable if skeletal material was missing or poorly preserved. After collection, data were statistically analyzed. Analysis of traits revealed that most traits were represented in the sample and that there is inconsistency in the sex dependence of the traits. The principal finding of this research was the identification of precondylar tubercle as a basis for further hypothesizing about kinship, as it appeared in a significantly higher frequency in the Middenbester sample compared to the reference sample. This finding was further used to form a hypothetical kinship group, which may further be used to explore kinship through the archival data. Moreover, this research adds to the previous research conducted on this topic in Middenbeemster and provides a fresh perspective.Show less
In this thesis, the main research question: ”Which visualisation techniques of remote sensed data results in the best visibility of Neolithic Circular Enclosures” is investi- gated. To answer this...Show moreIn this thesis, the main research question: ”Which visualisation techniques of remote sensed data results in the best visibility of Neolithic Circular Enclosures” is investi- gated. To answer this question, multiple visualisations were performed on a dataset of 75 sites where NCEs are confirmed or expected to be located. Two types of remote sensing data were used for this investigation. RGBN and LIDAR recordings. At the sites where neolithic circular enclosures were visible, each visualisation technique used was given a score of between 0 (not visible) to 3 (clearly visible). An attempt was made to quantify visibility through automated contrasts measurements, but this was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the approach might inspire or be used as a base for further research. Next, the mean, standard deviation and score distribution of the human quantification were were calculated of the scores per visualisation technique and remote sensing data type. This study showed that the MSTPv3 visualisation scored best among all visualisa- tion techniques. However, other visualisations also score well. These include within the multispectral data the RGB, NIR and NDVI visualisations, and for the LIDAR data all but the local dominance visualisation. For this reason, it is recommended to design some kind of cross-referencing system that could potentially confirm new sites found with the MSTPv3 with other visualisation techniques.Show less
Locally produced incised impasto ware is known to dominate the necropoleis and settlement contexts of Falerii Veteres, modern Civita Castellana, northern Lazio, during the Orientalizing period (8th...Show moreLocally produced incised impasto ware is known to dominate the necropoleis and settlement contexts of Falerii Veteres, modern Civita Castellana, northern Lazio, during the Orientalizing period (8th – 7th centuries). Falerii Veteres is recognized as the main town of a small peripheral region, acting as a middle ground between the Sabine, Capenate, Latin and Etruscan regions. Within this well connected ancient cultural landscape the Faliscan incised impasto production remains crucially its own, adopting the decorative repertoire of the Orientalizing and bucchero wares as the artisans or consumers saw fit. The research of this thesis revolves around the main question “How did potters’ technological choices develop at Falerii during the Orientalizing period (8th – 7th centuries BCE) when it comes to the traditionally produced incised impasto ware?”. Using techniques and methodologies developed by the Archaeological Sciences, pXRF analysis was performed on an assemblage of incised impastos (n = 45). The results confirmed suspected imported vessels, proving its validity, and offered surprising results, showing two different artisanal recipes were used, either contemporaneously or possibly throughout time. These results have offered a first look into the chemical composition of the incised impasto wares and the decorative pastes which filled their incisions from the city of Falerii Veteres and its necropoleis. The results offer high potential for the study of change throughout time of raw material usage and potential provenancing of locally produced impasto for the entire region of the Ager Faliscus and beyond.Show less
The topic of discussion in this thesis is the pre- and post-settlement environment of eastern Iceland, human exploitation of it and its consequences. Materials used are pre-existing publications on...Show moreThe topic of discussion in this thesis is the pre- and post-settlement environment of eastern Iceland, human exploitation of it and its consequences. Materials used are pre-existing publications on macro- and micro-botanical remains retrieved from both archaeological and natural contexts in eastern Iceland along with new archaeobotanical data from the archaeological site of Fjörður, Seyðisfjörður. The aim is to get a comprehensive image of the environment and vegetation in the area and to estimate the scope of human exploitation of it, with special emphasis on domestic use, livestock and cultivation. The results show that most of the sites seem to have been unforested prior to the settlement and characterised by heathland and grassland. Due to this fact the environmental effect of human arrival in the area was not as dramatic as in other more forested parts of the country. The most common influence of the settlement was replacement of taxa that are preferred by grazers by more grazing tolerant taxa and an introduction of anthropogenic indicators. A decrease in woodland was also observed where relevant, as well as increased soil erosion. Evidence of grazing was detected in almost all of the sites, along with anthropogenic fertilization and heathland expansion and exploitation. Insects and fungi reliant on domestic animals were also present in some of the sites. Driftwood seems to have been the most common wood used for construction and local wood most common as fuel. Peat and animal dung were also used as fuel which suggests a versatile fuel utilisation strategy. Cereal pollen was only found at three sites and a barley seed found in Fjörður seems to be the first cereal macrofossil found in an archaeological context in eastern Iceland. Cereal seeds have been found in many archaeological sites in other parts of the island and cultivation suggested for some of them. A possible explanation for the lack of evidence of arable agriculture in eastern Iceland is the lack of archaeological, environmental and archaeobotanical research in this part of the country, especially in environments suitable for cereal cultivation.Show less
Porous lesions of the eye orbits, cranial vault, femoral neck and proximal humerus are called porous lesions. Traditionally the first two, cribra orbitalia and cribra cranii, have been considered...Show morePorous lesions of the eye orbits, cranial vault, femoral neck and proximal humerus are called porous lesions. Traditionally the first two, cribra orbitalia and cribra cranii, have been considered to originate from iron deficiency anaemia. As such, they have been used as a proxy for studying iron deficiency and anaemia in ancient populations, even though there is still no consensus on their aetiology. In this study, we apply the technique of portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry to skeletons from the archaeological sites of Middenbeemster and Arnhem in order to measure the elemental concentrations of their bones in a non-invasive way. For both sites, no significant differences in iron concentrations were found between individuals with and without cribra femora. This seems to indicate that iron deficiency anaemia is not the underlying cause of cribra femora.Show less
This graduation project discusses the scientific and communicative value of virtual reconstructions in archaeological research while exploring the public’s relation with and perception of...Show moreThis graduation project discusses the scientific and communicative value of virtual reconstructions in archaeological research while exploring the public’s relation with and perception of archaeology. More specifically, the project was initiated in the field, with a virtual reconstruction of building 7 from the Chalcolithic site of Chlorakas-Palloures in Cyprus. For the construction of the 3D model, the author applied the methodology of Extended Matrix following Demetrescu’s theoretical and practical framework. This methodology along with the difficulties that might arise is analyzed step-by-step in this paper, after the introduction of the case study and the settlement of Chlorakas-Palloures. Although 3D reconstructions have long attracted sustained scholarly consideration, archaeologists have not yet fully appreciated the significance of the medium’s use for the communication of archaeological information from the early stages of archaeological research, i.e., fieldwork. Moreover, concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of virtual reconstructions for non-scientific reasons, resulting in the promotion of a distorted image of archaeology (cf. the concept of pseudoarchaeology) through manipulated data. On that account, it becomes clear that archaeologists should take into serious consideration the public’s relation with and perception of archaeology. Even though the depiction of nameless figures in images from archaeological projects is no longer considered acceptable and developments have been made regarding the active engagement of the public, there are still steps to be taken in order to make archaeology more accessible and impactful. The project embraces the social character of archaeology and, therefore, incorporates as its main element, a questionnaire that values the public’s opinion. The answers of 300 participants from different age groups and countries, of various educational levels, related or not to archaeology, are systemically analyzed and evaluated. While acknowledging the possible limitations of such a survey, the results regarding the epistemic aspect and impact of virtual reconstructions on the vast majority of the participants are astonishing. If, based on the answers to this survey and the pertinent research, the public thinks that visual reconstructions (artistic illustrations, sketches, 3D models) render archaeology both more comprehensive and exciting and, furthermore, that the use of new media would influence positively the distribution of the archaeological information, then why do such endeavors are still to be found scarcely between the media that communicate archaeology? This graduation project emphasizes the need for further research into the potential use and impact of the new media, and particularly virtual reconstructions, on communicating archaeological information with the public.Show less
This thesis studies the accessibility of three Dutch museums for people with acquired brain injuries. Findings include several areas of improvement, most notably regarding the navigation within...Show moreThis thesis studies the accessibility of three Dutch museums for people with acquired brain injuries. Findings include several areas of improvement, most notably regarding the navigation within museums and the opportunity of special visitation times that include less sensory input.Show less
Sex estimations are an important step in the study of skeletons in osteoarcheology. Sex estimations are necessary for the estimations of age and stature of individuals. If sex, age, and stature are...Show moreSex estimations are an important step in the study of skeletons in osteoarcheology. Sex estimations are necessary for the estimations of age and stature of individuals. If sex, age, and stature are known comparisons with other individuals, contexts, or populations can be made. Sex estimations are also important for forensic archaeology because one of the first steps in identifying an individual in order to link this to a missing person is determining the sex. The Phenice method is a well-known morphological method used for estimating the sex of a skeleton by only looking at three traits of the pubic bone, namely the ventral arc, the subpubic concavity, and the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus. With just these three traits an accuracy of 96 % can be achieved (Phenice, 1969, p. 300). The Phenice method is a popular method to estimate the sex of skeletons in archaeology, including Dutch archaeology. But while this method is excessively tested on North American skeletal collections, there has been only one research on a Dutch skeletal collection. MacLaughlin and Bruce reviewed the Phenice method on a Dutch skeletal collection and only achieved an accuracy of 68 % (MacLaughlin & Bruce, 1989, p. 1387). Therefore, in this thesis research, the reliability of the Phenice method has been tested on a Dutch skeletal collection in order to determine if this method is reliable for a Dutch skeletal collection. The reliability of the Phenice method was tested by examining a sample of 105 skeletons of the Middenbeemster skeletal collection, an archaeological rural collection dating between 1829 and 1866 CE. The pubic bones of the skeletons have been examined for the three Phenice traits and sex estimations have been made for each individual trait. A final sex estimation for the skeleton has been made based on the sex estimations of the individual traits. Lastly, the final sex estimations got compared to the known sex of the skeletons. An overall accuracy of 88. 57 % was achieved for estimating the sex of the studied 105 individuals. Thus the Phenice method was found to be a reliable method to estimate the sex of adult skeletons of the Middenbeemster collection, and presumably other Dutch skeleton collections. Hereby is it important that the guidelines published by Phenice (1969) in his original paper are followed. However, there is a small bias towards male sex estimations, and the sex of young (<23 years) and old individuals (> 50 years) is also more likely to be estimated wrong. Nevertheless, the overall accuracy rate of the Phenice method is still high and it remains a reliable method for Dutch archaeology.Show less
Drawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption...Show moreDrawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption develop in the northern Low Countries during the early and late medieval period (450-1500). This research is conducted using the Dutch Fish Bones (DFB) dataset, which includes the Number of Identified Specimens (NISP) of fish species and families from archaeological sites between 0-2000 CE. The DFB-dataset is subjected to aoristic analysis in 25-year bin categories to create a diachronic timeline. Despite potential biases and limitations, coherent with the presence of uncertainty within each assemblage and the underrepresentation of certain fish species due to differential preservation and the collection methods employed in archaeological excavations, the study offers valuable insights into regional fish consumption dynamics. During the period from 450 to 650, both inland and coastal regions displayed a preference for locally sourced fish. Freshwater eels, cyprinids, and perches were the primary choices inland, while coastal consumption mainly consisted of demersal righteye flounders and small amounts of herring. From 650 to 950, the coastal region continued to heavily rely on righteye flounders, while freshwater fish remained popular inland. However, there was a gradual emergence of marine fish consumption during the "long eighth century," likely influenced by trade and commercial hubs. Between 950 and 1200, the consumption of marine, migratory, and freshwater fish declined in the northern Low Countries, potentially due to the Medieval Warm Period and changes in fish populations. Despite this decline, there was a slight increase in codfish consumption, which may be linked to the growing trade of Norwegian stockfish. Urban areas witnessed a shift towards marine consumption between 1200 and 1375 in a period that can be called a gradual ‘fish event horizon’, rural areas, in contrast, exhibited a delayed increase in marine fish consumption almost a century after urban consumption surged. The development of markets and trade hubs played a crucial role in making marine fish more accessible in inland regions. The rapid growth in smelt consumption during the fourteenth century reflects the broader trend of rising fish consumption, fuelled by urbanization, population growth, and dietary restrictions. The formation of the Zuyderzee facilitated trade of the Hanseatic cities by providing an open waterway to the North Sea. However, human interventions disrupted the distribution of fish species, leading to a decline in freshwater eels. During the late fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, fish consumption experienced significant expansion phases. Herring, cod, and righteye flounders were consumed in larger quantities, driven by technological advancements in fishing techniques and equipment. The herring industry of the northern Low Countries grew rapidly, with Dutch vessels dominating European trade. Between 1650 and 1800, overall fish consumption declined due to conflicts, economic difficulties, and political instability. However, throughout the centuries following the fish event horizon, the pattern of high marine fish consumption has remained steadfast and continues to be relevant in modern times. These findings illuminate historical fish consumption patterns in the region and provide a foundation for future research, including enriching the dataset, calling for additional meta-analyses and isotopic research, and addressing knowledge gaps, such as the significant decrease in overall fish consumption in the period 950-1200.Show less
Based on the available material evidence, it has been proposed that for the most past of the Middle Chalcolithic period, populations were organized in individual households within relatively...Show moreBased on the available material evidence, it has been proposed that for the most past of the Middle Chalcolithic period, populations were organized in individual households within relatively egalitarian societies (Knapp, 2013, p. 241). However, during the second part of this period, certain signs of social inequality are traced in the archaeological record (Knapp 2013, p. 241-244; Peltenburg 2013; Steel 2004, p. 93). Following this “rise of individual status” there is an informational/occupational hiatus, detected at the site of Kissonerga-Mosphilia and probably also at Lemba-Lakkous, and it is dated at the transitional period between the Middle and Late Chalcolithic periods (Knapp, 2013, p. 246; Peltenburg, 1993, p. 15; Steel, 2004, p. 106). Concerning Pottery production, the production of the once ubiquitous Red-on-White vessels gradually receded, while there was a simultaneous rise in the production of Red Monochrome Pottery (Bolger, 2007, p. 173; Knapp, 2013, p. 229). Finally, following this transitional period was, as Peltenburg interpreted, a time of social equality reconstitution within the Late Chalcolithic societies (Peltenburg, 1998, p. 252). Chlorakas-Palloures, in the Paphos region, southwest of Cyprus, is one of the very few archaeological sites that possess safely stratified material remains from the transitional stage between the Middle and the Late Chalcolithic periods (Bolger et al., 2004, p. 112; Düring et al., 2021, p. 681). Therefore, an analysis of its Pottery assemblage might shed more light into the knowledge gap of this period. In the present pilot study, I analyze 32 thin sections, sampled from ceramic vessels which appertain to the Red-on-White, Red Monochrome Painted and Plain White Chalcolithic Pottery categories, coming from Chlorakas-Palloures. As means to their analysis, I implement the method of Thin-section Ceramic Petrography and my main research question is: “What can a petrographic analysis show about the technological evolution and variability of production of Red Monochrome, Red-on-White and Plain White Chalcolithic Pottery, at the site of Chlorakas-Palloures?”. My goal is to describe the chaȋne operatoire of each Pottery ware under study, in order to contribute any possible information regarding the steps of their technological production and their technological evolution. Finally, I intend to evaluate whether there was any type of specialization in ceramic production, such as the ones of the possible pendant-maker workshop at Kissonerga-Mosphilia and the conspicuously luxurious production of pendants and figurines at Laona (Knapp, 2013, 209, 239; Steel, 2004, p. 89).Show less
The aim of this paper is to critically examine the use and validity of the term ‘skull cult’ in academic literature. Since the discovery of the first plastered skull in 1953 by Kenyon, more...Show moreThe aim of this paper is to critically examine the use and validity of the term ‘skull cult’ in academic literature. Since the discovery of the first plastered skull in 1953 by Kenyon, more plastered skulls have been dug up from sites across West-Asia. Due to temptation ideas were opted for a shared tradition, which resulted in a grand narrative called the ‘skull cult’. As a consequence detailed information was overlooked, and local variation ignored. Due to the limited scope of this paper, twelve sites were selected for analysis, including: Jericho, Yiftahel, Kfar Hahoresh, Beisamoun, ‘Ain Ghazal, Nahal Hemar, Tell Ramad, Tell Aswad (Southern Levant), Abu Hureyra, Çayönü, (Northern Levant/ South-east Anatolia), Köşk Höyük, and Çatalhöyük (South-central Anatolia). The sites were first examined individually to provide a clear overview of each settlement. They were structured according to several variables associated with plastered skulls and skull retrieval, which are the following: gender, age, individual and/or group burials, findspot, headless and/or intact burials, skulls or cranium, and other skull manipulations (i.e., plain, paint, artificial modification) and decorations applied to the skull. Next, the sites were compared to each other to find potential similarities and differences. Gender, age, and intact burials did not provide sufficient data, and therefore, no speculations have been proposed. Headless burials did produce incomplete data as well, but the presence at most sites supports the act of skull retrieval practices at the site. Overall, the data showed the existence of analogies between sites, but these are outweighed by local diversities. In addition, the significant distance in time and space with regard to a few sites does also contradict the idea of one shared mortuary practice. Skull retrieval might have originated from the late Natufian period onwards, but over time local variations evolved to which people from each site attached their own unique symbolic meanings.Show less
This study presents a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of macrofossil data obtained from the archaeological site of Waziers, France, with the primary objective of reconstructing past...Show moreThis study presents a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of macrofossil data obtained from the archaeological site of Waziers, France, with the primary objective of reconstructing past environmental conditions at the site. The investigation focuses on the composition and abundance of macrofossil remains to elucidate the site's depositional environment and identify potential climatic trends that may explain the absence of hominin fossils or evidence in the English archaeological record. The macrofossil analysis involved the collection and examination of five sediment samples extracted from distinct depth intervals within a 1-meter stratigraphic profile at Waziers. The samples were documented, recording their relative positions within the stratigraphy, as well as their observed colour, texture, and sedimentological characteristics. A total of 25 macrofossil specimens were identified from the samples, with taxonomic classification ranging from species to genus and family levels. These macrofossils were categorized into four habitat groups, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the ecological contexts represented in the dataset. The results of the macrofossil analysis contribute significantly to the understanding of the environmental history of the Waziers site and provide insights into the local vegetation and climate during the studied period. The presence of Persicaria lapathifolia indicates the existence of grassland or disturbed ground adjacent to water bodies, while the identification of Cladium mariscus and Stuckenia pectinata suggests the presence of marsh or swamp areas nearby. These findings collectively indicate a mosaic nature of the site, characterized by fluctuating hydrological conditions and diverse vegetation communities. In terms of environmental reconstruction, the macrofossil assemblage from Waziers corresponds to the early stages of the Eemian Interglacial, a period characterized by rising temperatures. The presence of Lemna cf. minor, which possesses an optimal temperature range for growth and reproduction, suggests that the temperature during deposition at Waziers was at least around 18 degrees Celsius, but likely higher. This finding contributes to our understanding of the specific climatic parameters during the early Eemian interglacial, which is known for its relatively higher temperatures compared to the present Holocene interglacial. Furthermore, this study addresses the absence of hominin fossils in the British archaeological record during the Eemian interglacial, despite evidence of hominin presence during the preceding Saalian Glaciation. This research examines various environmental factors, including geology, soil composition and hydrology, to discern potential disparities between the French and British sites. However, the analysis does not reveal substantial differences that could account for the absence of hominins in Britain during the last interglacial period. Faunal evidence from Britain during the Eemian interglacial, indicating the presence of diverse species, challenges the notion that the British landscape was inhospitable to hominins. Possible explanations for the absence of hominins in Britain during the Eemian interglacial encompass the rapid rise in sea levels, submerging land bridges that could have facilitated human migration to Britain, transforming the region into an island. Additionally, the distribution patterns of hominins during this period were probably concentrated in continental areas rather than Britain. The macrofossil analysis sheds light on past environmental conditions, aiding the reconstruction of vegetation and climate signals. The absence of hominin fossils during the early Eemain interglacial emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and further research concerning this topic.Show less
