Osteoarthritis is a multifactorial and one of the most common diseases to be found in human bones and has a long history of research in medical as well as in archaeological studies. A number of...Show moreOsteoarthritis is a multifactorial and one of the most common diseases to be found in human bones and has a long history of research in medical as well as in archaeological studies. A number of variables have been suggested as risk factors, some of which are nutrition, hormones, diseases, age, sex, bone density, and body size. In particular body size either tested as an entity or as stature, body mass and bone robusticity separately has been suggested to be associated with the prevalence of the disease in the joints. Since body size is considered a risk factor for osteoarthritis, it was decided to test its relation to the disease in a sample from a Nubian site called Tombos. The sample consisted of 32 complete burials and a number of 373 individually bones coming from a commingled context. Osteoarthritis was recorded out of 12 joint surfaces and was separated into three categories which represented the three different types of osteoarthritic changes (lipping, porosity, eburnation). The rates of osteoarthritis were particularly low and almost no severe manifestation of development was recorded. The most prominent osteoarthritic change to be found was the lipping. Correlations for testing the relationship between osteoarthritis and body size were conducted with the help of statistical tests from the SPSS program. For the tests only the joints of the lower limbs were selected as the aim was to test the weight bearing joints. Stress in these joints is related with body size and as hypothesized, with osteoarthritis, considering that mechanical stress towards a joint can lead to development of the disease. In contrast with our speculation, body size did not correlate with any osteoarthritic change and in any of the joints except for the acetabulum one. Significant correlation presented in the acetabulum only with lipping. Porosity displayed negative and insignificant correlations with body size in all of the joints. The same was recorded as well in the femurs from the commingled context. This outcome implies an association of small-size individuals with prevalence of porosity in the joints. However with such low significant values no certain statement can be given. The same holds true for the positive correlation showed with lipping. What is important to mention is that in this research it was observed that the different types of osteoarthritis correlate differently with each variable and thus indicate independence in their occurrence.Show less
Norias have been among the most important water lifters in the pre-industrialised Mediterranean basin. From their early appearance during the Hellenistic Age (3rd -1st century BC) until the 20th...Show moreNorias have been among the most important water lifters in the pre-industrialised Mediterranean basin. From their early appearance during the Hellenistic Age (3rd -1st century BC) until the 20th century, norias have played a crucial role in granting a more effective exploitation of water resources. The relevance of these devices is well reflected in the academic literature. Nevertheless, the fragmentation of the research in different regions and the lack of the device definitions still prevent a clear noria terminology to be available. Starting from these premises, this research will propose a new approach to describe noria devices. A new noria classification will be applied to the medieval site of Ta’as (Northern Syria). The noria vase fragments from the Syrian site will be studied and compared with similar artifacts. Climatic studies and archaeozoological evaluations will highlight how chain norias were probably used in the area of study.Show less
In this thesis, the potential of archaeological predictive modelling within England’s Archaeological Heritage Management (AHM) system is assessed through the case study of Roman-age Hertfordshire,...Show moreIn this thesis, the potential of archaeological predictive modelling within England’s Archaeological Heritage Management (AHM) system is assessed through the case study of Roman-age Hertfordshire, in south-east England. The case study involves the creation of an archaeological predictive model from the bottom-up, using only open-access data. An assessment is also made on the quality of the open-access digital infrastructure within England, as well as on the knowledge that can be gained from the creation and product of the model. A detailed description of the collected data provides information about the environment (elevation, soil, geology, hydrogeology and river system), the social aspects of the landscape (Roman road network and towns) in addition to the modern-day factors which impact planning permissions (land-use, modern roads, protected areas and scheduled monuments). The quality of the environmental data is evaluated for its applicability to the Roman landscape in Hertfordshire. Archaeological site data (n = 4358), provided by the Archaeological Data Service (ADS), is categorised into site types (settlements, economic, ritual, military, water sources and miscellaneous). The representability of the archaeological data is evaluated for potential observational biases. The Roman Hertfordshire predictive model is created using deductive techniques (weighted multi-criteria analysis) and an inductive technique (site density). The final product predicts five areas of archaeological potential within Roman Hertfordshire, ranging from ‘Very High’ to ‘Very Low’. The model is evaluated for its predictive abilities by an unused testing sample of archaeological sites. The accuracy and precision of the model’s predictions are tested using Kvamme’s Gain equation, producing a high-yielding score of 0.72. The applications of the Roman Hertfordshire predictive model are discussed in the context of its uses within the modern development process. Proximity-based analysis of the different site types is explored in regards to water sources, Roman roads and Verulamium (St. Albans). The elevation of different site types are also analysed.Show less
In this thesis the theme of the diffusion of the cult of the Egyptian goddess Isis from Egypt across the Mediterranean world is treated, by investigating some of the approaches that have been...Show moreIn this thesis the theme of the diffusion of the cult of the Egyptian goddess Isis from Egypt across the Mediterranean world is treated, by investigating some of the approaches that have been employed by Bommas, Woolf, Bricault, and Versluys in their analysis of the theme; and by examining the features of the Temple of Isis of Philae, the Temple of Isis at the Campus Martius in Rome, and the Temple of Isis at Pompeii. While the Temple of Isis at Philae mostly features architectural elements that are typical of indigenous Egyptian temples, the Italian Iseums of Pompeii and of the Campus Martius feature elements meant to evoke the Egyptian environment and elements of the cult of Isis that are represented in a Graeco-Roman fashion. After comparing the different characteristics of these structures, it emerges that the element that can be found in Egyptian temples of Isis (or in at least, the one at Philae) that persisted in the Temples of Isis when these were built in Italy, was the Nilometer, which was featured at the Temple of Isis at Pompeii, although it is not possible to know with certainty if this was featured in the Iseum Campense by looking at the archaeological evidence. In any case, many conducts for water were found in the latter structure, which could have been likely linked to the presence of a Nilometer or of other elements connected to water, and this would underline the persistence of at least the importance of the presence of water in the concept of the Iseum, and thus likely also in the practice of the cult. However, It has to be underlined that in the case of Philae, the Nilometer was with most probability used in connection to the presence of the river Nile in the vicinity of the structure, while in Italic temples this would have been an element related to the ritual of the cult. Other Egyptian-izing features, such as the dromos of the Iseum Campense, and the purgatorium of the Temple of Isis at Pompeii, were not present at the Temple of Isis at Philae, thus probably being features meant to evoke the concept of Egypt in general more than reflecting the characteristics of Egyptian Iseums. Therefore, it is possible to assume that the almost-total refashioning of the concept of the Iseum when this kind of structure was built in at least Rome and Pompeii might be a reflection of the refashioning of the cult that took place after it diffused out of Egypt.Show less
This research focuses on the use of 7th/6th century BC bucchero incense burners from the Po Valley (Italy). It is aimed at understanding the plant based material possibly utilised in the vessels by...Show moreThis research focuses on the use of 7th/6th century BC bucchero incense burners from the Po Valley (Italy). It is aimed at understanding the plant based material possibly utilised in the vessels by creating an experimental pilot-study. Bucchero incense burners, recovered from five sites in northern Italy, have not yet been subject to any archaeological analysis besides typological classification. Most of these excavations have no or inaccessible records on organic material regarding the vessels, which was common in Italian excavations prior to 1980s. To fill this gap, this work applies an interdisciplinary methodology including experimental archaeology, organic material analysis and ethnobotany. The experimental part consisted of manufacturing the vessels and conducting experiments using plants which were most likely available in the 1st millennium within the Po Valley. In total, four plants were used: Juniperus communis, Betula pendula, Pinus nigra and Cichorium intybus. Such material was thermally treated in burnished and not burnished vessels in two ways: Indirect thermal treatment inside the vessels’ body and stand. Smoke development was observed and optically measured. The organic residues left in the experimental vessels were collected for future archaeobotanical and anthracological analysis. The ethnobotany in combination with the experimental observations serves as an interlacing agent, bringing the results and interpretations together in the attempt to reconstruct the use of these artefacts and more importantly, their significance to the societies that have produced and utilised them. The central research question addressed in this work is the following: How does experimental archaeology in combination with archaeo- and ethnobotanical analysis contribute to our understanding of the bucchero incense burners produced in the Po Valley between the 7th and 6th century BC? To answer the core question, this research provides an overview of the communities inhabiting the Po Valley and their interaction with their neighbours; moreover it focuses on the environmental reconstruction of the area in order to assess the availability of different plants possibly used in association with these vessels, thus reinforcing the choices made when applying ethnobotanical analyses to the experimentally replicated incense burners. Considering that this is a pilot study investigating botanical material in relation to this type of vessels, special attention is paid to future possibilities in terms of experimentation, error corrections, possible comparisons to other similar vessels and alternations in experimental frameworks in the discussion section of this work.Show less
The aim of the present research is to examine sugar cane production centers in medieval Cyprus with an in-depth exploration of the technology employed in sugar production including a comparison...Show moreThe aim of the present research is to examine sugar cane production centers in medieval Cyprus with an in-depth exploration of the technology employed in sugar production including a comparison with other production sites around the Mediterranean. The objectives of this investigation are to trace the technological innovation, the knowledge transfer and exchange networks which existed at the time. In addition, the present study investigates the relationships of the owners, and the status of the workforce. Finally, theories related to capitalism and globalization and how they were implemented in sugar production are put forward. The research question is investigated by examining archaeological data of the sugar production sites using online literature in combination with written sources including trade documents, travelers' accounts and state archives. This study exposes that technological knowledge in sugar production derived from the East, but no compact “package” existed. Horizontal water mills were introduced throughout Cyprus from the East (the Levant), while a vertical one at Kouklia and the presses were introduced by the Crusaders. Concerning the pottery making technology, there was a widely used repertoire which was implemented by the Crusaders who owned most of the sugar production centers in the Mediterranean. However, a degree of flexibility in typology choices did occur. The relationship between owners of sugar production sites relied heavily on diplomacy. The workforce was diverse with francomati, parici and, at one point, slaves all employed. The economic system was a hybridization of capitalism and feudalism. Finally, the study shows that sugar production followed Jennings’ model of globalization to an extent. This study of sugar production in medieval Cyprus elucidates technological, social and economic dimensions of human life.Show less
Nowadays, tourism has grown into one of the largest industries worldwide being one of the major sources for income and jobs. There is barely a place left untouched by its forces and with the...Show moreNowadays, tourism has grown into one of the largest industries worldwide being one of the major sources for income and jobs. There is barely a place left untouched by its forces and with the prospects of increasing wealth, free time, and accessibility of travelling opportu-nities, predictions for the future tell us that the visitor economy will remain to grow in the coming years as well. Although it brings many opportunities for destinations, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Discussions regarding tourism are on the rise, as negative effects from tourism are experienced more often. Heritage forms an integral part within this debate since it is a major pull effect for tourists to travel to a destination in the first place. Assuming that heritage does not possess any intrinsic qualities, but is constructed by the use and experience of heritage by people, this means that tourism has the force to transform heritage as well, as tourism is a specific way in which heritage is experienced and interacted with. At the root of these experiences and practices, stands a given heritage discourse and the value system that constructs it. It is, therefore, necessary to examine how the discourse of heritage is constructed, how this causes how people interact with heritage via tourism, and what this tells us how people value heritage in a given context.Because of the discrepancies that tourism creates, I examine possible solutions for these issues by using a sustainability lens, and to evaluate if a sustainable approach can contribute to a healthier tourism management. In addition, I explore how heritage discourse plays into this process, and how it can contribute to sustainable outcomes, both in tourism and heritage management. With this premise in mind, I have taken Amsterdam as case study, as it is one of the major contemporary tourist destinations in the world in which discussions regarding tourism have taken a prominent position in the public discourse. I have looked at a top-down approach, put out by the municipality of Amsterdam named Stad in Balans, in which they have formulated their management strategy for tourism for the coming years. In addition, I have studied a bottom-up initiative called The Untourist Guide to Amsterdam, which is a recently founded movement inspired by practices of crea-tive tourism. By looking at both models, an overview will be given on how sustainability can play a part in tourism and its interaction with heritage, and how the discourse of herit-age can add to the sustainability in how it favors certain values and excludes others.Show less
This paper provides a preliminary critical review of current academia as it regards contact between the Roman Empire and Han imperial China, during roughly the 3rd century B.C.E. until the 3rd...Show moreThis paper provides a preliminary critical review of current academia as it regards contact between the Roman Empire and Han imperial China, during roughly the 3rd century B.C.E. until the 3rd century C.E., with the purpose of re-evaluating currently accepted facts on the basis of archaeological case studies. Archaeological case studies on the topics of Roman glass, coins, and cloth found in or en route to Han China were examined against a background of ancient written sources and modern academic writing on the topic of the ancient Silk Road network and contact between the Roman Empire and Han China. The results show Roman glass items found together with locally produced glass from coastal sites in southeast China and the Xinjiang area. Quite a few metal pendants imitating Roman coins were found in sites along the coasts of Thailand and Vietnam, particularly the Isthmus of Khra. A genuine Roman coin used as a pendant in a similar fashion was also found in Pangkung Paruk on the island of Bali. Cloth from Xiongnu tombs displaying both Hellenic and Han Chinese style elements was also found in the Xinjiang area. These finds shed light on the nature of interaction between the Roman Empire and Han China, and the objects that made the entire journey in all likelihood more often than people did. Most importantly, they contribute to the larger framework of exchange and interaction along the Silk Road network, and fill in some blanks in an often-neglected region of this topic. The need for further (re-)examination of such finds is evident.Show less
When talking about archaeological research in Greece, it is safe to assume that most people think of the rich history of the ancient Greeks which has been studied intensively over several centuries...Show moreWhen talking about archaeological research in Greece, it is safe to assume that most people think of the rich history of the ancient Greeks which has been studied intensively over several centuries. Greek ruins scatter across the landscapes, with the Acropolis of Athens as a prime example. However, more stories, older stories, are hidden below that Classical landscape. Palaeolithic archaeological research is not a common area of interest among the archaeological studies in Greece. The Bronze age and Classical period are the main focus of most academic studies. Another reason for this fixed focus is because of the geological activity in Greece. Erosion, uplift, subsidence and deposition of geological material cause the Palaeolithic archaeological record to be obscured and difficult to find (Harvati et al. 2009, 131). Furthermore, the change in water level throughout the years between the inter-glacial and glacial periods have caused sites to disappear or to become unreachable (Wenban-Smith 2002, 3). Nevertheless, this lack of research leaves a gap in the archaeological information surrounding Palaeolithic Greece. For example, Greece can hold important information on the migration of early hominins and animals during the Pleistocene from Africa to Europe. As it is today, Greece could have been and probably was one of the most likely routes for migration from Africa to Europe. Moreover, research suggests that Greece contained refugia during multiple ice ages which were essential for flora and fauna, which also includes hominins to survive these cold periods. This further provides evidence to why Greece is a potential route for migration during the Pleistocene (Harvati et al. 2009, 131).Show less
Paleopathology is the study of pathological changes in ancient remains. It is not often employed in the investigation of archaeozoological remains. Palaeopathological publications of horses are...Show morePaleopathology is the study of pathological changes in ancient remains. It is not often employed in the investigation of archaeozoological remains. Palaeopathological publications of horses are even rarer and almost unknown from the Netherlands. In this research paleopathology is applied to horse remains from a Dutch medieval site, De Hoge Hof, Tiel, in order to understand which forms of pathology occur in medieval horses from the Netherlands and what information can be gained from paleopathology on horses regarding their use, role and relation to humans. Furthermore the advantages, disadvantages and difficulties of applying paleopathology to medieval horse remains are explored based on this investigation. A general overview of animal pathology is presented based on the works of Baker and Brothwell and further supplemented with an overview of results of pathological studies on archaeozoological horse remains. The materials used for this investigation are from an excavation of the site De Hoge Hof near Tiel in the riverine area of the Netherlands. This is a site that showed human presence from the Roman period up to the Modern Age, with the strongest human presence in the High and Late Middle Ages. The site boasted a large amount of horse remains in its assemblage, particularly during the Early and Late Middle Ages. Further find categories indicate that the site was an agricultural site with a presence of both smaller hand mills and larger mills, possibly animal powered. The vast majority of horse remains are associated with the Early to Late Middle Ages in which an unusual number of pathological changes were detected by the preliminary study. These pathological changes have all been described, presented and interpreted in order to have a first approach to horse pathology in the Netherlands, in general, and their relation to human activities during the Middle Ages, in particular. In order to achieve this, a typological categorization of horse pathologies is attempted and the relation between pathologies and anthropic activities are discussed.Show less
This research tries to examine if, and how, the Byzantine and Sasanian culinary traditions and diet were influenced by one another. The Byzantine and Sasanian empires had a complicated relationship...Show moreThis research tries to examine if, and how, the Byzantine and Sasanian culinary traditions and diet were influenced by one another. The Byzantine and Sasanian empires had a complicated relationship, with continuing wars on one end, and dependence on trade on the other. The silk road was situated on Sasanian land, and Byzantium was forced to use the Sasanian empire as a middle man. The respective agricultures produced basic produce for the whole empires, but for exotic spices and herbs, the empires were dependent on the silk road. There is not much written on the Sasanian diet, but a few products are known to have been cultivated. Some sources give information on the extravagant diet of the nobility, which includes different vegetables, grains, fruits, spices, meats and sweets. In the last decades there has been more research on the Byzantine empire, which also included diet. Most information about the Byzantine diet comes from dietary handbooks and descriptions, most of which are written about Constantinople. It is possible that these sources are more about an ideal diet, than based on reality. The sources describe many different fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, fish and grains. This conveys the image of an extravagant and varied diet, but the results bone isotope analysis in Greece show dietary deficiencies. It seems that at least between the capitol and the province, there is a difference of availability of food. Comparing the two diets, there are some similarities, mostly when it comes to spices. Because there is not as much data on the Sasanian diet, there are more products that are known to have been present in Byzantium and not the Sasanian empire, than the other way around. When comparing both diets to the current Iranian diet, there seems to be a continuation of some of the Sasanian traditions. There also seem to be some similarities between the Byzantine diet and the current Iranian diet. To get a clear picture of the diet of the average citizen of the empires, not only the elite, more research is needed. For example, isotope analyses of different regions of the empire.Show less
The archaeology of the Ottoman Empire has rarely been the focus of research and the period has often been neglected by scholars. Although a lot of information is available from the extensive...Show moreThe archaeology of the Ottoman Empire has rarely been the focus of research and the period has often been neglected by scholars. Although a lot of information is available from the extensive historical record of the empire, the archaeological data is scarce. Pottery from the Ottoman period, however, is the exception and it has been the subject of a large number of publications. The aim of this research was to analyse the pottery assemblages from three cities - Belgrade, Sofia, and Varna, during the Ottoman period, from the 15th until the 19th century. Since historical sources mention that the cities are economically and demographically very different from each other, the research aimed to see if these differences were visible in the archaeological record. For that purpose, publications of Ottoman period pottery from the three cities were studied. The number and characteristics of both imported and local pottery vessels were noted and the gathered data was added to a database. Finally, this database was analysed and the results were compared with written evidence of trade and population change. The results showed noticeable differences in the pottery assemblages, during periods of migration and economic decay. For both Belgrade and Varna, the ratio of locally produced pottery made in the Ottoman tradition seemed to increase during periods of Muslim migration into the cities. Unfortunately, lack of local pottery data from Sofia prevented similar analysis. The economic situation in the cities also seemed to correlate to the type and amount of the imported ceramics they received. The decline in the economic strength of the Ottoman Empire could possibly be identified with the decline of the variety in both local and imported pottery. Overall, this thesis proves that combining both archaeological and historical data could provide us with a remarkably detailed picture of the processes not only in the Ottoman Empire, but also in every historical state. Further research could include new cities and regions into the dataset. This could allow for a better understanding of the economic and demographic processes within the Ottoman Empire.Show less
In this paper I am taking a look at how votive deposits can help us learn more about cult practices in Pompeii and if these cult practices could then be linked to bigger cultural changes, through a...Show moreIn this paper I am taking a look at how votive deposits can help us learn more about cult practices in Pompeii and if these cult practices could then be linked to bigger cultural changes, through a study of the temple of Apollo and the Doric temple. Both of these temples have development phases that start in the Archaïc period and end in the Roman period, at the end of Pompeii. Through a quantitative analysis based on excavation reports I am able to get information on the composition of the votive deposits in three time periods: the 6th century B.C., when Pompeii was mainly inhabited by Etruscans and Greeks, the 4th century B.C., when Pompeii had a Samnitic phase and the 2nd century B.C., when Pompeii had entered its Roman phase. The quantitative analysis of the temple of Apollo showed a decline in votives, though this might be influenced by missing data as neither of my excavation reports were complete. The analysis also showed that in the Roman period there was an introduction of figurines in the deposits. The biggest part of the deposits was made up of ceramics. In these ceramics, there was a shift from imported ceramics to locally produced ceramics. The type of ceramics also pointed to a possibility of feasting rituals being performed at the temple during the Etruscan and Samnitic phases. In the Doric temple the missing data unfortunately included most of the ceramics. The introduction of figurines also occurred in the Samnitic phase, not the Roman phase. Like the temple of Apollo, the Doric temple shows a shift away from imported ceramics to locally produced ceramics and figurines. The figurines may also point to more individually oriented rituals at the temple as these were usually considered personal gifts. Some of the changes can also be traced back to the cultural phases of the city, as the Samnites often used figurines as votives. The absence of feasting rituals may also be due to cultural influence, as it was mostly the Etruscans and Samnites who liked these rituals, while the Romans were more individually oriented.Show less
