The main question of this research is about which of two models about urnfields and Late Prehistoric land division fits best with the data around the sites Baarlo de Bong and Venlo-Zaarderheiken....Show moreThe main question of this research is about which of two models about urnfields and Late Prehistoric land division fits best with the data around the sites Baarlo de Bong and Venlo-Zaarderheiken. In the first model from Roymans and Fokkens (1991), it is suggested that burials were moving together with the settlements during the Middle Bronze Age (new burials at new places), whereas later burials from the Late Bronze Age (urnfield period) were formed in central locations within the landscape together with one or two families. In the other model, burial landscapes are suggested; these are zones without connection to the settlements were burials are placed in large areas stretching up to several kilometres in length (Arnoldussen and Fontijn 2006, 301). To answer the question, information was gathered from the Dutch national archaeological database known as Archis, from which information was gathered regarding the locations of former urnfields, burial mounds, Roman burials etc. This information was combined with information from the AHN; a Dutch elevation map from which small round hills could be identified as potential burial mounds around sites. The combination of the locations of supposed former burial mounds/urnfields and the hills of the elevation map can be used to make special correlations between the observations and the two archaeological sites. From this research, it could be concluded that at the site of Venlo- Zaarderheiken, there are a lot of observations of Prehistoric and Roman burials in close vicinity of the site. At Baarlo de Bong however, there are only a few observations of burials in the vicinity of the site. Because of this, Venlo-Zaarderheiken seems to be a candidate for a burial landscape, because of the many observations in close vicinity of the site, which also stretch out over a much larger area. On the other hand, both models could fit for Baarlo de Bong, because of the relatively small size of the burial site. The model of Roymans and Fokkens could not be rejected, thus both models are possible.Show less
The patterns of LEH thus far recognized within the skeletal collection of Alkmaar have produced significant results regarding multiple topics: the differences in distribution of LEH patterns...Show moreThe patterns of LEH thus far recognized within the skeletal collection of Alkmaar have produced significant results regarding multiple topics: the differences in distribution of LEH patterns between men and women, the timing of LEH episodes and between the age-at-death and the prevalence of LEH. Within this dataset, there is no significant difference recognized between males and females regarding the prevalence of LEH, this stress-marker occur in the same frequency for both sexes. This however does not mean that there are no differences observed between men and women in the age distribution of LEH and the timing of the LEH episodes. The female individuals found in Alkmaar tend to suffer from malnutrition from a younger age then the males and the prevalence of LEH lasts longer, for some individuals into their early teens. Males however have a higher prevalence of LEH then females after the age of one, but there are no signs of LEH in males after six years old. Lastly, the patterns recognized when analyzing the correlation between LEH and longevity of life seems to indicate a connection between the presence of and an increase in risk of dying at a younger age. This risk seems to increase in individuals that have severe LEH where multiple markers of malnutrition episodes are present, this correlation between childhood health events and its impact on health at adulthood can be used when constructing the biological profile of individuals if investigated properly. LEH has proven to be a rich source of information that can provide a useful insight into the Alkmaar dataset, but more research into the dental records will be needed in order to properly understand and explain the significant patterns presented in this thesis.Show less
The goal of this thesis is to shed light on relationship between the beer brewers of the Dutch city of Delft and the management of water and sewage in the period of the 13th and 18th century A.D....Show moreThe goal of this thesis is to shed light on relationship between the beer brewers of the Dutch city of Delft and the management of water and sewage in the period of the 13th and 18th century A.D. Starting from around the 13th century we see Dutch cities employing new laws to keep the internal channels and waterways clean. This was done in name of health and prosperity. Cities started to enforce new building codes which required the access to a cesspit. These cesspits would contain the human excrement until the time came to have them emptied into a specialised barge, which would deposit its cargo outside of the city, keeping the waters clean. The hypothesis is that the local brewers would use the channels as their water supply and as such it would behove them to do whatever they could to keep the channels clean. Beer brewing turned into the dominant local industry of Delft, in such a way that they influenced the local council to ensure the cleanliness of the channels. The hypothesis of this thesis is that archaeological evidence should exist that shows a connection between the era of cesspits and the rise and fall of the brewers. This is claim is explored by cataloguing a sample (67) of cesspits within the historic boundaries of the city. These cesspits were classified and dated after which they were turned into a table and a set of graphs showing the relationship between the cesspits, the population, the city’s population density, the number of breweries and the amount of produced beer. The history of Delft, its relationship with the brewers and the history of its waterways are explored to provide historical context. Furthermore, the cesspit eras of the Dutch cities Haarlem and Leiden are discussed to provide a comparison to Delft. The results show a connection between the end of the cesspit era and the collapse of the brewing industry. There is a regrettable lack of information about the brewing industry during the 14th and 15th century. As such it is not possible to determine if the cesspits are also linked to rise of the brewing industry. In the end it seems plausible but not certain that the breweries and the cesspits shared a connection which led to their joined demise Further research is required to verify these final results.Show less
This thesis focusses on the craftsmen of late feudal Japan that were responsible for handling dead animals and making objects from them. This subject has received little attention because of the...Show moreThis thesis focusses on the craftsmen of late feudal Japan that were responsible for handling dead animals and making objects from them. This subject has received little attention because of the ritual pollution related to dead animals in Japan from early historic times. This ritual pollution caused these craftsmen to be treated as outcasts in the late feudal period and their contemporary offspring is unofficially also still regarded as polluted. This has discouraged research inside Japan on this subject and most of the knowledge regarding this topic comes from historical and anthropological research executed by foreign researchers. A better understanding of these craftsmen will not only help fill in knowledge of their techniques and society, but knowledge about their production techniques can also help with the development of better conservation methods for artefacts made of animal remains in museums. This thesis discusses what information can be gained about these craftsmen with archaeological research by looking at textual research, excavations and the analysis of artefacts made with animal remains. The part based on textual research shows that there is a limit to the information that can be gained about these craftsmen from historical texts. Furthermore no production site of these craftsmen has been identified in excavations so far. Both the humid climate of Japan, that causes animal remains to quickly decay, as well as the taboo concerning this topic are considerable hindrances in identifying such a site. The analyses of artefacts in this paper looks at a painting, an armour and a tobacco set from late feudal Japan. These provide information regarding the required materials, trade, production and cooperation with other craftsmen that was necessary to produce such objects. The analysis was limited to visual analysis only, so much more information is expected to be gained by future in depth analyses of similar artefacts.Show less
