This thesis focusses mainly on Neolithic ornaments made of jet and seeks to interpret these finds by addressing two objectives. The first objective of this thesis is concerned with characterizing...Show moreThis thesis focusses mainly on Neolithic ornaments made of jet and seeks to interpret these finds by addressing two objectives. The first objective of this thesis is concerned with characterizing the black shiny ornaments of Schipluiden and Ypenburg which have preliminarily been termed jets and to further investigate the possibilities of provenance studies for Dutch Neolithic jet ornaments with the use of XRF. The second objective of this thesis is to investigate the possibility of distinguishing between an intentional polish and use-wear related shine on the basis of macroscopic analysis. For this purpose a series of experiments has been designed involving experimentally made ornamental beads and a rock tumbler. An XRF distinction shows that the finished ornaments of Ypenburg are possibly all true Upper Lias jets. A large amount of the objects under investigation are probably not, however, including all finished ornaments from Schipluiden. It has proven possible to distinguish between an intentional polish and a use-wear related shine. This experiment, although insightful, is incomplete as it lacks the evidence to conclusively distinguish an intentional polish from a use-wear related shine. Similar experiments could be set up for future research with longer tumbling durations and allow the use of different polish materials.Show less
Central to this study are the osseous artefacts of the Merovingian site of Oegstgeest Nieuw Rhijngeest-Zuid. It is one of the rare microwear studies focusing on bone and antler artefacts from a...Show moreCentral to this study are the osseous artefacts of the Merovingian site of Oegstgeest Nieuw Rhijngeest-Zuid. It is one of the rare microwear studies focusing on bone and antler artefacts from a Dutch Medieval context. The sixty-one bone and antler artefacts were recovered between 2009 and 2012. The material consisted of the following (morphological) categories: two-pointed bone rods, pointed bones, hemispherical objects, long bones, irregular bones with holes, worked antler, small pieces of worked bone and antler, combs and pins. Some unfinished artefacts and waste was also found. The artefacts were subjected to both archaeozoological and microwear analyses. One of the aims was to bring into view the organisation and production of the osseous artefacts. The raw material was selected on the basis of the natural shape, weight and other properties like flexibility. Antler was relatively flexible and often used for the production of composite combs. With regard to the local production, it is likely that most bone objects were produced by the user when needed. While most bone objects probably derived from a household production, antler artefacts (mainly composite combs) would have been purchased or traded with travelling craftsmen or merchants. This study also examined to what degree the various artefact forms were function specific. The osseous tools can be linked to different activities, various contact materials and involve different directions of motion and activity zones. Especially pins and two-pointed bone rods appeared to have been used in several crafts or were reused or multifunctional. Finally, it was investigated in which (craft) activities the osseous artefacts were involved, and what they revealed about the role of Oegstgeest within the Early Medieval region of the Old Rhine. The osseous artefact assemblage could be connected to several activities and common spheres: transport, leisure activities, personal utensils, symbolic or ritual activities and craft activities. There are no indications that the production of osseous artefacts, nor the craft activities in which they were involved, transcended the needs of the local inhabitants. Based on the study of the osseous artefacts, a regional function within the former region of the Old Rhine in the domain of crafts and/or raw material is not implied.Show less
By seeking aspects other than symbolism from the archaeological record to recognise fully modern behaviour, further insight can be obtained about human cognition during the Middle Palaeolithic (MP)...Show moreBy seeking aspects other than symbolism from the archaeological record to recognise fully modern behaviour, further insight can be obtained about human cognition during the Middle Palaeolithic (MP) and Middle Stone Age (MSA). Ochre, and possibly beeswax or fat, is believed to have been purposefully used to physically alter the performance of adhesives, and is seen as some of the best evidence of advanced cognition outside of the use of symbolism. However, it is currently unclear how efficient different adhesive recipes are, how much specific ingredients influence the performance, and how difficult it may have been for those ingredients to be combined to maximum effect. I conducted a series of laboratory based lap shear and impact tests, following modern adhesive testing standards, in order to determine the effects of specific ingredients and ingredient ratios. I focused on resin, as it is the only chemically identified MSA adhesive, but also included tar because of its presence in the MP, and gum in order to compare my results with previously conducted experiments. Additives tested include different proportions of ochre and beeswax with resin and gum, and charcoal with tar. Standardised tests have proven to be a fast and accurate method of comparing prehistoric adhesives, and have shown scope for potential performance testing in different simulated environmental conditions, and of different haft types. My results further support the hypothesis that high levels of skill and knowledge were required by early modern humans to consistently produce the most effective compound adhesives.Show less
