In the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples...Show moreIn the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples have been mis- and underrepresented in the mainstream media. It is therefore important to show the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and archaeologists in a correct way. Thus the research question of this thesis is: How are Indigenous Peoples (re)presented in contemporary documentaries on the archaeology and heritage of Central America? This was studied by analysing three documentaries. The cinematic language was explained in chapter two in order to be able to analyse documentaries. Then ethnographic content analysis was used to set up categories and variables to collect data from the films by analysing the characters. A definition of if a character was considered Indigenous or not was set up by studying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the discussion between scholars on different definitions for Indigenous Peoples. The analysis of the data showed that from the three movies, with a total of 29 characters, only two characters could be considered Indigenous. This means that in these movies the Indigenous perspective was underrepresented. Also, some of the variables showed that these Indigenous characters were treated differently than other characters. Western filmmakers or production companies should be aware that they are not inclusive, which they should be according to UNDRIP. Western filmmakers should start collaborating with Indigenous Peoples when making movies about their history and heritage, because then Indigenous Peoples can regain control of their stories and represent themselves.Show less
Dental root translucency (alsoroot transparency, apical translucencyor transparency or root dentine sclerosis) has long been used to estimate age-at-death in forensic as well as archaeological...Show moreDental root translucency (alsoroot transparency, apical translucencyor transparency or root dentine sclerosis) has long been used to estimate age-at-death in forensic as well as archaeological human remainsbut has never been tested on a Dutch archaeological collection with known sex and age-at-death individuals. This thesis testedseven already existing (sets of) formulae using dental root translucency as a parameter, that weredeveloped on samples from various geographical regions, on the known sex and age-at-death sample from the Middenbeemster Collection housed at the Laboratory of Human Osteoarchaeology at the Faculty of Archaeology in Leiden University, The Netherlands. A total of 77 individuals werestudied, resulting in age-at-death estimations for 67 of theseindividuals. To test if a more accurate formula could be developed for the Middenbeemster Collection, and even Dutch osteoarchaeological human remains, several new formulaewere trailedresulting in the following formula (T = translucency in mm):Age =19.832+7.667*T +-0.299*T2.With this formula, no statistical difference was found between males and females and seemed not to be affected by dental disease.The new formula was tested on twenty-onenew individuals from the Middenbeemster Collection and twenty individuals from Arnhem, Eusebiuskerk, allonly having an estimated osteological age category. The newly derived formula performed well in the forty-one newly studied individuals, bringing the total number of studied individuals with an age-at-death estimation to 108 individuals. The small sample size and slight underrepresentation should be addressed in future research that either has to enlarge the known age-at-death sampleand/or enlarge the estimated age-at-death sampleto test the presented formula of this thesis.Show less
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
This Bachelor thesis studies the differences in lower limb bone morphology between post medieval rural and urban populations within the Netherlands. To demonstrate these differences two human...Show moreThis Bachelor thesis studies the differences in lower limb bone morphology between post medieval rural and urban populations within the Netherlands. To demonstrate these differences two human skeletal remains collections originating from Middenbeemster (rural) and Zwolle (urban) have been compared statistically. The study presented within this thesis aims to link possible differences within lower limb bone morphology to the socioeconomic environments, where the introduction of industrialization is one of the major changes compared to late medieval socioeconomic environments is an important factor. These new changes to the areas in which these populations lived their lives, happened quite differently for both the rural and urban areas which should results if these differences are indeed visible within the human skeletal remains. Post medieval Zwolle and Middenbeemster both experienced the changes that the industrialization brought to the Netherlands differently, whereas Zwolle was industrialized whilst Middenbeemster did yet have to feel the “arrival” of industrialization, which means differences between the rural and urban areas should exist. Most differences between rural and urban areas are known from historical context. Looking at the human skeletal remains to see if there are bone morphological differences between rural and urban populations however, could shed some more light on the different socioeconomic environments present within the Netherlands. Lower limb bone morphology is a small part of this but nevertheless important because it gives an insight on the mobility patterns and the amount of mechanical loading experienced by the individuals living in both Middenbeemster and Zwolle. The study shows that industrialization, rural and urban life and class differences between and within the populations indeed have an impact on bone morphological changes within the lower limbs. This means that differences in mobility and mechanical loading are present between and within both populations.Show less
The goal of this thesis is to understand more clearly the interpretations of the Confederate Battle Flag and statues, and how an analysis of the interpretations of the symbols featured in this case...Show moreThe goal of this thesis is to understand more clearly the interpretations of the Confederate Battle Flag and statues, and how an analysis of the interpretations of the symbols featured in this case benefits understanding heritage constructions, negotiations, and dissonance. The finding of the different interpretations of the Confederate Battle Flag and statues was done through the analysis of media bias, historical research, and literature. These interpretations are then compared to similar case studies and theoretical heritage research to find out how these interpretations came to be and how they can be explained. Important aspects of heritage construction are that the maker of heritage decides wat is remembered. This selective remembrance is the primary cause of the lack of negotiations between opposing sides in the case of the Confederate symbols, because there is no understanding for the basis of the arguments of the ‘other side’. The heritage dissonance of these Confederate symbols, i.e. different interpreted message of monuments by groups of people, lead to tensions because of the charged history of racial inequality and slavery in the United States, exacerbated further by a lack of understanding that has trouble being resolved.Show less
Natural selection is the impetus behind phenotypic variations among biological specimens as environmental pressures act upon these variations allowing the most suitable traits to flourish. This...Show moreNatural selection is the impetus behind phenotypic variations among biological specimens as environmental pressures act upon these variations allowing the most suitable traits to flourish. This process affects humans creating physical differences between different populations. One of the most studied environmental factors in regards to the affect on human physiology is climate. This study uses three separate populations from different environments to research the correlation between humidity and temperature on two skeletal indices as well as the affect of sex on these indices. The populations have different humidities and temperature so an ANOVA analysis will determine if the crural or nasal index means are significantly different. The results of the ANOVA differed between crural and nasal indices; the crural index was not correlated with the climatic factors and the nasal index was found to be correlated in these populations. Sexual dimorphism did not effect either the nasal or crural indices.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
In this study of the Middle Neolithic sites of Ypenburg-locatie 4 and Schipluiden-Harnaschpolder in the western Netherlands, the mortuary practices of these sites are discussed through the study of...Show moreIn this study of the Middle Neolithic sites of Ypenburg-locatie 4 and Schipluiden-Harnaschpolder in the western Netherlands, the mortuary practices of these sites are discussed through the study of archaeothanatology. Archaeothanatology combines extensive documentation of graves and human remains with biological and taphonomical knowledge to reconstruct prehistoric approaches to death. It has shown that the dead have been treated in multiple ways at Ypenburg and Schipluiden. While the most common positioning of the dead in a tightly flexed manner suggests that the dead could have been wrapped in an organic material, the addition of multiple individuals to one grave shows that the inhabitants had an exact way of knowing where they had buried their dead. The addition of scattered human remains among settlement refuse is an indication that a different mortuary treatment existed where individual skeletal elements seem to have been displaced by either cultural or natural taphonomic processes. All of these mortuary practices are paralleled in the contemporaneous Swifterbant and Michelsberg cultures in Northwestern Europe at sites such as Urk-E4, Schokland-P14 and Gougenheim. This attests to the longstanding contacts that have existed between peoples more Mesolithic in character and fully Neolithic peoples since the introduction of the new Neolithic lifestyle circa 5500-5000 BC. As new facets of life such as agriculture, stock breeding, pottery and permanent occupation were introduced, the mortuary practices seem to have also developed from the stretched burial position on the back to the tightly flexed fetal position. Perhaps the process of neolithisation is thus also reflected in the mortuary record.Show less
This BA-thesis focuses on cisterns in early modern Amsterdam, building upon the research conducted by Gawronski and Veerkamp in 2007. In their research, a number of topics are treated, such as...Show moreThis BA-thesis focuses on cisterns in early modern Amsterdam, building upon the research conducted by Gawronski and Veerkamp in 2007. In their research, a number of topics are treated, such as cistern sizes and capacities. However, little attention is spent to different functional applications of cisterns. Furthermore, spatial dispersion of cisterns in Amsterdam is completely left out. Therefore, in this thesis functional application of cisterns, divided into seven categories of context, and their spatial aspects are focused upon. Data was retrieved from the Amsterdamse Archeologische Rapporten (AAR), in which ninety-one cisterns are documented. This thesis has emerged clear differences and relations between size and capacity, and different categories of context of cisterns. These differences are explained both by functional application of the cistern, as well as wealth of its owner. Spatially, clear clusters of cisterns are recognised in post-17th century neighbourhoods, such as the Jordaan, canal belts and the islands of Marken and Oostenburg. Even in pre-17th century neighbourhoods, many cisterns are located in association to newly built 17th-18th century structures. In order to make more detailed conclusions about the use and dating of cisterns, more extensive documentation, and new dating methods are needed.Show less
For this thesis, a dataset consisting of Etruscan helmet and cuirass types as well as their depiction on other sources has been analyzed to determine whether the Etruscan panoply functioned as an...Show moreFor this thesis, a dataset consisting of Etruscan helmet and cuirass types as well as their depiction on other sources has been analyzed to determine whether the Etruscan panoply functioned as an expression of identity. This has been done by analyzing changes that occur in the Etruscan panoply over time in relation to historical events as well. In addition an attempt is made to examine differences in the panoply between regions within Etruria. Through these attempts, the following conclusions have been drawn. There is a correlation between major historical events and changes that occur in the Etruscan panoply. There is also a correlation between the changing depictions of Etruscan warriors and the expression of identity, although this cannot be strongly attested to until the last three centuries when Rome asserts dominance over Etruria. We can infer that during this last period, the Etruscan elite made a conscious attempt to present themselves (part) Roman, as opposed to the Hellenistic panoply depicted in prior centuries.Show less
This thesis presents a new survey of archaeozoological data from 10 towns, with a total of 60 assemblages, from the medieval county of Holland to determine diachronic and geographic trends in the...Show moreThis thesis presents a new survey of archaeozoological data from 10 towns, with a total of 60 assemblages, from the medieval county of Holland to determine diachronic and geographic trends in the meat consumption in urban areas. The methods used are based on the recent article by Ervynck and van Neer, which suggested that integrating the archaeozoological data from the southern Low Countries with research from the Netherlands would be beneficial for current research (Ervynck and van Neer 2017, 72). The research was performed by calculating the relative frequencies of cattle, pig and sheep, and consequently, calculating the Pig/Sheep ratio. This data has been collected in one survey. The diachronic and geographic trends that emerged from this survey were investigated and compared to the results from similar research in Flanders. The results of this study suggest that environmental factors were a very important influence in the consumption patterns of medieval towns. There are similarities in the relative frequencies and Pig/Sheep ratios of towns with similar environmental factors, mostly those towns located in areas of salt marshes, peat bogs and alluvial districts. These environments are much more suitable for sheep herding than pig herding. Other trends are less clear. The Pig/Sheep ratio is somewhat higher in towns such as Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem than expected from the research done in Flanders. It is still uncertain what the main cause for these high Pig/Sheep ratios is. However, it does seem that the consumption of pig is likely to have been less than the consumption of sheep based on the relative frequencies. Future research on these towns in comparison to the countryside is therefore advised.Show less
