This master’s thesis examines the context of the emergence and utilization of traditional Korean fermenting pottery called Onggi and explores the avenues for future utilization possibilities. The...Show moreThis master’s thesis examines the context of the emergence and utilization of traditional Korean fermenting pottery called Onggi and explores the avenues for future utilization possibilities. The research done so far on the subject has been neglected and understudied in academia due to the utilitarian nature of the vessels, casting a shadow on their historical and cultural significance. However, through a transdisciplinary approach based on the collection of data in archaeological reports, historical documentation, and iconographical sources, the history of Onggi vessels becomes apparent, highlighting its crafting and utilization through thousands of years. A chronological presentation of these vessel's functions and fabrication techniques starts approximately from the 7th millennium BCE until the present and composes a major part of this work. In an effort to overcome the gradual disappearance of this ancient technology, the Korean government has designated the craft as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and a number of potters have been nominated as National Living Treasures (NLT). Yet, in South Korea, a rapidly decreasing group of individuals are willing to learn and practice the profession. On the other hand, due to globalization, the demand for Korean fermented foods is thriving internationally, and along with it, a growing interest in Onggi crafting and utilization has developed. The presentation of three study cases will highlight the Onggi crafting and use renaissance phenomenon occurring on a global scale presently. Through ethnoarchaeological observations, this thesis argues that Onggi pots are a driver for innovative environmentally friendly endeavors for the conservation of food. As it becomes an imperative necessity for contemporary societies throughout the globe to explore sustainable solutions to food conservation and waste, this study suggests drawing from ancient technologies through archaeological research to inspire future possible solutions. Finally, the examination of the chemical modification through fermentation occurring in the Onggi pot is broken down for the reader to exemplify how uniquely the vessels interact with its content. This work thus encompasses various and major themes such as food technology, biomechanics, finding historical sources, utilizing scientific methodology in archaeology, studying Intangible Cultural Heritage in Northeast Asia, and environmental sustainability. Through the writing of this thesis, it is aimed to answer the question of whether the introduction of Onggi crafting and use on a global scale drive innovative solutions to food waste and food conservation In essence, the study of Onggi pots past in the present could offer unlimited possibilities for the future.Show less
In the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period...Show moreIn the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period. Part of multiple Roman fortifications along the Limes dating from 40 A.D. onwards, the cemetery was likely used as a burial ground for inhabitants of the Valkenburg fort or nearby vicus, a civilian settlement. The cemetery comprised at least 250 cremated individuals as well as 47 inhumations, which is a striking find that contradicts the common Roman practice of cremation. Due to these inhumated skeletal remains, the site provides an unique opportunity to employ osteoarchaeological analysis to reconstruct the lives of individuals that lived in the Roman Frontier region. This thesis utilizes cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis to infer activity patterns among individuals at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery, as current research on the differences in bone geometry between different demographic groups within Roman communities in the Lower Rhine area is limited. The study further investigates the factors and potential activity patterns that might influence those variations, such as biological age and sex. To do so, it builds on the initial osteoarchaeological study conducted by Lonnée and Maat (1998), who reported the estimated sex and age-at-death of each individual. Following this, each relevant bone in the upper and lower limbs was measured on various points to generate the indices for each point of measurement, as well as calculate the percentage directional asymmetry (DA%) and absolute asymmetry (AA%). The resulting values were then compared statistically between the biological sexes and age-at-death categories. While statistical significance is limited, the interpretation of data highlights the potential of these analyses in inferring activity patterns. Results from the analysis indicate that males tend to display more robust and symmetric upper and lower limbs than females, which are likely attributable to biological factors or a wider range of activities in males. Age-at-death categories exhibited inconsistencies with patterns described in other study, which is possibly due to natural variation or the limited preservation and availability of the skeletal material. Despite the limited number of individuals that could be examined, this thesis contributes valuable insights into the application of cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis in osteoarchaeological studies, complementing historical data and broadening our understanding of activities in Roman frontier regions.Show less
The study of human osteoarchaeology provides critical insights into past human populations, unraveling details about their lives. Often overlooked in archaeological studies, non-adult skeletal...Show moreThe study of human osteoarchaeology provides critical insights into past human populations, unraveling details about their lives. Often overlooked in archaeological studies, non-adult skeletal remains offer a unique perspective for understanding childhood and the impact of diseases over time. This thesis investigates the preservation patterns and diagenetic alterations of non-adult skeletal remains from three burial environments in the Netherlands: the Eusebius church in Arnhem (1350 to 1829 AD.), Broerenkerk church in Zwolle (1601-1830 AD.), and the church of St. Catharina in Eindhoven (1200-1850 AD.). Specifically, the study focuses on skeletal individuals from the post-medieval period, covering the years 1650-1829 AD. By using various methods, including bone differential preservation indices and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, the study examines bones to identify factors influencing their preservation. The research aimed to contribute to the archaeological record by addressing the under-representation of non-adult skeletal remains and associated challenges. The results provided insights into preservation patterns, with the Anatomical Preservation Index (API) and the Qualitative Bone Index (QBI) revealing significant variations across burial sites. Emphasizing distinct patterns in the percentage of preserved bones, Arnhem stood out with a high proportion of well preserved bones, while Eindhoven exhibited the highest percentage of poorly preserved bones. Chi-squared test analyses confirmed statistically significant differences between burial sites and bone preservation classes. The Bone Representation Index (BRI) shed light on the distribution and preservation of cranial and post-cranial bones, with consistent trends, such as Arnhem exhibiting higher percentages of preserved bones compared to Eindhoven and Zwolle. Specific cranial bones and post-cranial elements contributed to sitespecific preservation trends. Furthermore, the study explored the influence of age and skeletal elements on preservation patterns, integrating age categories and skeletal elements into statistical analyses. While some age groups showed no significant associations with preservation indices, others revealed relationships, contributing to a better understanding of non-adult skeletal preservation. The chemical analysis through XRF provides insights into the elemental composition of bone samples, with deviations from reference materials indicating diagenetic alterations. Notably, differences in soil-related elements across sites suggest the influence of geological factors on chemical composition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further explains these patterns, emphasizing the association between Arnhem and Zwolle in contrast to Eindhoven. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of non-adult skeletal preservation in diverse burial environments, addressing challenges and offering valuable insights for future archaeological studies. The findings highlight the need for diverse approaches in studying non-adult remains and contribute to broader discussions on diagenetic alterations and preservation biases in archaeological research.Show less
The study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to...Show moreThe study of prehistoric burial sites in the Netherlands has a rich history. However, past archaeological research have often examined burial structures in isolation. This thesis aims to investigate and specifically model the spatial relationship between burial structures and houses during the Bronze and Iron Ages in North Brabant. Four primary questions were discussed: how these elements are distributed in space, whether gathered data can predict their proximity, how this relationship evolves over time and what this relation meant to these peoples. Using QGIS selected features from the sites will be used to create maps that show the relation between the different structures. These maps are then combined by period to create models based on the normal distribution the distances of houses from a grave structure. The research shows there was a trend over time and that it was possible to predict the location of a house based on the location of burial structure. The impossibility of knowing the meaning behind this relation was discussed, but two possible interpretations are given: the structures might have served as territorial markers or the location might have been tied to a ritual landscape and the houses. Finally the challenges faced during this research are discussed, including the need for more sites to enhance models an and the lack of adequately dated features is discussed. De studie van prehistorische begraafplaatsen in Nederland kent een rijke geschiedenis. Echter heeft eerder archeologisch onderzoek vaak begraafstructuren geïsoleerd bestudeerd. Deze thesis heeft als doel de ruimtelijke relatie tussen begraafstructuren en huizen tijdens het Brons- en IJzertijdperk in Noord-Brabant te onderzoeken en specifiek te modelleren. Vier hoofdvragen zijn besproken: hoe deze elementen in de ruimte zijn verdeeld, of verzamelde gegevens de locatie van huizen kunnen voorspellen, hoe deze relatie in de loop der tijd evolueert en wat deze relatie betekende voor deze bevolkingsgroepen. Met behulp van QGIS worden geselecteerde features van de locaties gebruikt om kaarten te maken die de relatie tussen de verschillende structuren laten zien. Deze kaarten worden vervolgens per periode gecombineerd om modellen te creëren op basis van de normale verdeling van de afstanden van huizen tot een grafstructuur. Het onderzoek toont aan dat er in de loop van de tijd een trend was en dat het mogelijk was om de locatie van een huis te voorspellen op basis van de locatie van een begraafstructuur. De onmogelijkheid om de betekenis achter deze relatie te kennen werd besproken, maar twee mogelijke interpretaties werden gegeven: de structuren zouden dienst hebben gedaan als territoriale markeringen, of de locatie zou verbonden kunnen zijn met een ritueel landschap en de huizen. Ten slotte worden de uitdagingen besproken die tijdens dit onderzoek zijn ondervonden, waaronder de behoefte aan meer locaties om modellen te verbeteren, en het gebrek aan voldoende gedateerde features wordt besproken.Show less
Minecraft has proven to be a valuable tool in the field of virtual heritage (Edwards et al., 2021; Langis-Barsetti, 2021; Politopoulos et al., 2019). This thesis explores potential collaboration...Show moreMinecraft has proven to be a valuable tool in the field of virtual heritage (Edwards et al., 2021; Langis-Barsetti, 2021; Politopoulos et al., 2019). This thesis explores potential collaboration efforts between academia and the modding community by first attempting to understand the perspectives of Minecraft mod developers. This study is guided by the research question: in what ways can the Minecraft modding community and heritage professionals influence each other? Four willing developers of historical and cultural Minecraft mods provided their perspective via questionnaire. Their responses are analysed with guidance from the established qualitative analysis methods: thematic analysis and narrative analysis (Bryman, 2012). Potential collaboration is then theorised based on the intentions, disciplinary bounds, and openness of both mod developers and heritage professionals. It is found that Minecraft mod developers and heritage professionals share many similar traits. Analysis of the developer perspectives also helped to reveal multiple ways in which collaboration efforts would be mutually beneficial. These findings are important, as this knowledge not only helps to introduce academia to the developer’s side of the Minecraft modding community, but can also be used by academics and mod developers to bring about future collaboration efforts that enhance both the modding community and the virtual heritage field.Show less
This study employs paleo data from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial, specifically corresponding to channel II sublayer 4c. The primary objectives are...Show moreThis study employs paleo data from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial, specifically corresponding to channel II sublayer 4c. The primary objectives are reconstructing the paleoenvironment and comprehending hominins' exploitation strategies within this context. The dataset analyzes paleolake chemistry and the climatic conditions leading to the deposition on channel II of sublayer 4c, facilitating local and regional environment reconstruction. Examining plant availability in the dataset illustrates their use in tool-making, crafting spears, and potential utilization for dietary and medicinal purposes, emphasizing adaptability across seasons. Through a comprehensive examination of the palaeobotanical dataset, this research elucidates the nuanced relationship between hominins and their environment. The study uses a mixed-method approach to preserve organic remains from a sediment sample from Schöningen 12 II sublayer 4c. The sediment, formed in a waterlogged setting, was collected from Schöningen 12, channel II, platform 4, sedimentary cycle 4, and layer c, sifted through a 500-micron mesh sieve during an on-site rescue excavation. The research design combines quantitative methods for sediment data and qualitative methods for literature review, referencing Duistermaat, L. (2020) "Heukels' flora van Nederland," and conducting an extensive literature review on hominin behaviour. The study recognizes biases, including data collection constraints, specific mesh size use, potential biases, and limited contemporaneous sites. The results reveal dominant obligated aquatic and waterside species specific to the lacustrine environment. The palaeobotanical dataset shows hominins strategically positioned at lacustrine fringes, utilizing the environment for hunting and possible plant-based sustenance. The investigation answers research questions on lacustrine paleoenvironment reconstruction, revealing shifting lake levels, low water velocity, alkalinity, and brackish conditions. The composition of aquatic plants suggests the sediment sample was collected from an area that was at a 2 to 4 meters depth, not far from the shore. An increase in Carex and Betula pollen in the pollen diagram indicates a disturbance leading to a change in vegetation. In this context, hominins hunted on the lake margins, as evidenced by the discovered spears in the animal bones context. The spear crafting reflects deep knowledge, with hominins favoring Picea and Pinus over other available trees. This choice demonstrates their understanding of wood durability and flexibility, crafting spears from denser old Picea trees with tips carved on the thicker end. This behaviour underlines their adaptability in spear crafting and deliberate tool carrying. The presence of edible plants and those with medicinal properties in the paleo data showcases the availability of dietary and medicinal plant use, emphasizing their seasonal presence. Dental wear and dental calculus indicate plant diet by the early hominins, while self-treatment behaviours reveal cognitive processes and potential survival benefits. The hominins at Schöningen during the Reinsdorf interglacial corresponding to sublayer II 4c were hunters and plant users for sustenance and healing. These early humans were far from being mere instinct-driven beings. They demonstrated the capacity to recognize patterns, access long-term memory, and engage in enduring learning about their environment. In this context, plants served as a source of sustenance and potential healing and a continuous source of knowledge.Show less
This thesis will look at the prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement among three medieval and post-medieval populations from the Netherlands in order to identify a pattern or trend in...Show moreThis thesis will look at the prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement among three medieval and post-medieval populations from the Netherlands in order to identify a pattern or trend in the said prevalence. These could in turn be linked to biological sex, environment and historical period and offer new insights in the lifestyle, in particular physical activity, of historical populations from the Netherlands. The results of this thesis could in turn also contribute to a better understanding of femoroacetabular impingement in the modern age. The trend that the femoral heads of the males in this sample are significantly less spherical than in females may be related to a sex-based labour division. Males would have done the bulk of the heavy work which put more strain on their lower limbs. The most important takeaway from this thesis is that femoroacetabular impingement, in particular cam-type, is not a new disorder. It is present in a wide range of populations from different environments and historical periods. The activity levels and physical load on the proximal femur of modern professional athletes may be comparable to ancient populations who were involved in physically demanding professions daily. The environment and diet might play a larger role in all of this than anticipated.Show less
Since the formation of the contemporary Northern-Spanish autonomic community of Cantabria in 1981 the Iron Age has become increasingly important for its regional identity, symbolically embedded in,...Show moreSince the formation of the contemporary Northern-Spanish autonomic community of Cantabria in 1981 the Iron Age has become increasingly important for its regional identity, symbolically embedded in, for example, its name and flag. Although this in itself can be viewed as problematic, it also fuelled more archaeological investigations into Iron Age Cantabria. These investigations have mainly been focused on Iron Age hillforts of which currently approximately fourty-three (43) can be found throughout the autonomic community. The relatively late development of this field of study is one of the reasons why this number is significantly lower than the other northern Spanish autonomic communities of Asturias and Galicia. Simultaneously, Eucalyptus plantations have become the dominant form of forestation covering approximately 8% of total ground surface and forming 19% of the total amount of forests in Cantabria. This vegetation cover is found predominantly in the coastal region, where few of the identified Iron Age hillforts are found and where the plantations encroach on identified hillforts, making identification of new hillforts more difficult. While new digital tools and data for cultural resource management have become available, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), their usage have been limited in this region. To address this issue the research poses the question: ‘How can available methods and tools of archaeological prospection and cultural heritage management be used in an integrated workflow to find, map and preserve Iron Age hillforts under Eucalyptus plantations in Cantabria?’. The proposed integrated workflow consists of narrowing down suitable locations for Iron Age hillforts through object-based predictive modelling (OBPM) and subsequently remote prospection of those locations to identify potential features associated with archaeological sites. To test this approach it has been put into practice. The proposed workflow proved effective, but has also shown limitations. The parameters chosen are most-likely not solely relevant for Iron Age hillforts, consisting out of Geomorophon, incoming visibility-index and out-going visibility index. Also the research focus on Eucalyptus plantations showed a variability of noise in the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for locations under Eucalyptus plantations, sometimes impeding readability of those areas. Nevertheless, the use of Sky View Factor (SVF) and the sufficiently narrowed down study area still proved effective in finding and documenting possible archaeological features, of which fifty (50) different locations have been identified with a variation of characteristics, all adhering to the set parameters. This suggests that the proposed integrated workflow is currently an effective tool in the finding, mapping and preserving archaeological sites near or encroached by Eucalyptus plantations.Show less
Magic has been a much-debated topic over the last centuries. This thesis discusses the disappearance and return of magic in academic discourse and evaluates it through a theoretical framework for...Show moreMagic has been a much-debated topic over the last centuries. This thesis discusses the disappearance and return of magic in academic discourse and evaluates it through a theoretical framework for scientific inquiry. Finally, it aims to evaluate the use of magic as an interpretative theme in archaeology. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw many new theories and approaches to the subject. Influential anthropologists and sociologists released theories that were mainly based on evolutionist ideals. The rejection of these ideals, the problematic classification of witchcraft, sorcery and magic, and its adoption in modern media contributed to the disappearance of magic in academic discourse. In archaeology, these changes can be seen by studying Palaeolithic art. The return can be seen from 1990 to 2010 by its adoption in more archaeological research. These studies primarily focussed on the Mediterranean and failed to incorporate materiality fully. The full return of magic can be observed in the 2010s when publications specifically focused on the materiality of magic over a larger geographical and cultural area. This return resulted from a paradigm shift in anthropology where magic was now studied from a magical Worldview or consciousness instead of a rational Western worldview. An increase in material culture studies with the adoption of object agency and recognising the marginalisation of magic also contributed to the return. Object agency also contributed significantly to recognising the importance of portable artefacts in Palaeolithic art. The rise of material culture studies, its adoption of Latour’s Actor-Network Theory, and the shift in anthropology can be explained as two paradigm shifts vital for the return of magic in academic discourse. Magic can serve as a quality of practices and materials that can highlight certain features of materiality, potency, and verbal or ritual performance that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Magic is a tool to understand ancient practices and materials better. Archaeology has much to contribute to studying magic through material studies and archaeological contextsShow less
Exploring the junction of artificial intelligence (AI), osteology and, forensic anthropology, this thesis validates the application of neural networks (NN) for accurate age-at-death estimation in...Show moreExploring the junction of artificial intelligence (AI), osteology and, forensic anthropology, this thesis validates the application of neural networks (NN) for accurate age-at-death estimation in skeletal remains. Because of the lack of accurate age-at-death estimation methods and the discrepancy between biological and chronological ages, there a high demand for objective and unbiased approach. A previous study developed DRNNAGE, a NN solution to estimate age-at-death and reported a promising accuracy in predicting age-at-death (95%) and a mean absolute error (MAE) of ~6 years. In this study, the reproducibility and the accuracy of DRNNAGE prediction will be validated employing an archaeological Dutch medieval skeletal sample from the Middenbeemster collection (MB11). The sample consisted of 52 individuals with an age range of 19-101 years. Through a multifactorial transition analysis, 101 features were scored according to two or three levels of senescent change. The results show that the DRNNAGE provides a considerably reliable estimate of age-at-death with an accuracy of 87.9%, with a relatively strong correlation between the estimated and archival ages (Spearman’s r=0.7204). Interestingly, DRNNAGE performed with improved accuracy on individuals over 50 years. In conclusion, DRNNAGE is recommended for applications in elderly individuals and is suitable in archaeological contexts. Further research into different population contexts is needed. As the implementation of AI is still in the early stages, the possibilities of AI collaboration can achieve are infinite.Show less
Schöningen locality is a significant complex for understanding hominin behaviour and their adaptation to the changing environment during the Lower Palaeolithic in Central Europe. Schöningen 13II-1 ...Show moreSchöningen locality is a significant complex for understanding hominin behaviour and their adaptation to the changing environment during the Lower Palaeolithic in Central Europe. Schöningen 13II-1 (site 13, channel II, level 1) was the first and oldest sedimentary cycle of Schöningen 13II from the bottom, dating to MIS 9 interglacial at around 300 ka. The climate at Schöningen 13II-1 was reconstructed to be the warmest compared to the climate of other layers at Schöningen 13II. The landscape of Schöningen 13II-1 was featured with forested and regularly flooded marsh. The preservation of faunal assemblages as well as lithics provides a good opportunity to conduct taphonomic and spatial analysis to reconstruct the depositional and post-depositional processes of Schöningen 13II-1. The taphonomic analysis of large mammal remains has revealed that both hominins and carnivores were involved in the accumulation and modification of faunal deposits which were evidenced by the percussion marks and carnivore gnawing marks, fragmentation pattern, as well as the skeletal presentations. The coexistence of hominins and carnivores was also documented in fragments with percussion and carnivore gnawing marks on the surface. However, the absence of overlap between these marks made it challenging to determine which group initially accessed the carcasses. The total absence of hominin cut marks and less frequent carnivore-induced modifications might be the results of abiotic agents that engaged in the taphonomic processes of altering bone surfaces, which were consistent with the varying degrees of weathering and abrasion of bones. For the results of spatial analysis, the fauna remains were distributed in a clustered pattern, which could be the results of where the fauna died naturally, such as rhinoceros bones. Additionally, the influence of hominin activities and carnivores carrying carcasses away first and consuming them cannot be ruled out. The patterns of orientation and vertical distribution indicate that different parts of Schöningen 13II-1 might have been affected by post-depositional processes to various extents which could be the bioturbation, and abiotic agents such as water movement from flooding and glacial erosion. Due to the post-depositional processes, it was hard to differentiate each accumulation event by hominins and other predators that happened at Schöningen 13II-1. However, regarding vertical distribution, the accumulations of faunal remains and lithics were mainly concentrated in the upper sublayers of Schöningen 13II-1. This could be interpreted as the outcome of spatial palimpsest formed over an unknown time scale. Within this context, various independent events involving biotic or abiotic agents happened at Schöningen 13II-1, depositing atop one another in a sequence that might have been disturbed by post-depositional processes. Despite the impact of post-depositional factors that might obscure the original spatial and taphonomic information of the accumulations, it is plausible to conclude that hominins were already well adapted to the interglacial environments by consciously taking advantage of forested lakeland with rich resources and less competition with other predators, to exploit botanic and faunal resources during the Middle Pleistocene in Central Europe.Show less
This research delves into the complex interplay of cultural, parental, and environmental factors that significantly impact the developmental trajectories of children, with a particular focus on the...Show moreThis research delves into the complex interplay of cultural, parental, and environmental factors that significantly impact the developmental trajectories of children, with a particular focus on the onset of walking in Dutch post-medieval children. Conducted in Arnhem and Middenbeemster, this study reveals notable variations in the age at which children achieve important developmental milestones. Children in Arnhem tended to reach these stages at slightly older ages than their peers in Middenbeemster, underscoring the influence of regional factors on childhood development. Femoral angle measurements, specifically the bicondylar angle (BCA) and neck-shaft angle (NSA) were compared between the two regions, revealing distinct trends. Children in Arnhem exhibited higher average BCA and NSA values, potentially influenced by variations in lifestyle, parenting practices, and regional customs. Moreover, differences in NSA values may indicate disparities in biomechanical loading, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of childhood development. Comparisons were made with research on post-medieval England by Swan et al. (2020), demonstrating both similarities and differences in developmental patterns, reinforcing the significance of population-specific variations in bone development. The study also explores the onset of walking in low-status and high-status children, highlighting the potential influence of the specific region or environment on which they grow up when they start walking. These findings underscore the importance of considering multiple factors and measurements when studying child development, acknowledging that not all anatomical features are equally relevant to the specific aspects of development being investigated. The study encourages further research to explore the underlying factors contributing to differences in child development between Arnhem and Middenbeemster and to delve deeper into the biomechanical and physiological aspects influencing femoral angles. In conclusion, this research enriches our understanding of how cultural, environmental, and regional factors shape child development, specifically in the context of femoral angle measurements in Dutch post-medieval children. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to osteological non-adult research, considering the intricate web of influences that contribute to developmental patterns.Show less
When researching the Ancient Nubians, historians often have to rely on the Ancient Egyptian sources to gather information. These sources can be subjective and nationalistic however, resulting in a...Show moreWhen researching the Ancient Nubians, historians often have to rely on the Ancient Egyptian sources to gather information. These sources can be subjective and nationalistic however, resulting in a negative preconception of Ancient Nubian communities. This can also be seen in the field of osteoarchaeology, where fractures found on Nubian individuals often automatically are connected to acts of interpersonal violence. Other, more positive explanations such as the practice of sports within the communities, are not often reviewed. This study looked at the remains of the human remains collection of Abu Fatima to try and find a connection between fractures in the hands and wrists and the practice of contact sports instead of interpersonal violence. For this research, 39 individuals were studied to determine the amount and types of injuries found in the remains of their hands and wrist. The collection was also compared to two Nubian collections connected to interpersonal violence (the Kerma collection and the collection from the NDRS project) and two modern individuals known to participate in Boxing from the Hammam Todd collection. As osteological studies connected to violence and sports often focus on injuries in the craniofacial area, if any injuries were found on the individuals their cranium was also studies in order to gather more information regarding the injury patterns. Different types of fractures and other signs of traumas were found on the human remains of Abu Fatima. Five parry fractures were found, all in the left arm. 17 metacarpal fractures were documented. There were no fractures in the carpal bones, but there were secondary signs of trauma such as osteoarthritis and ankylosis in hands that also showed other signs of trauma such as fractures. Two fractures were found on proximal phalanges. Three other phalanges showed signs of secondary trauma as a result of a fracture in an other bone in the hand. Lastly, four individuals showed signs of fractures on their cranium. The results showed that 10 of the 39 individuals showed signs of trauma in their hands or lower arms. These results implicate that the individuals from Abu Fatima suffered less traumatic hand injuries than the individuals from the rural sites of the NDRS project, but more injuries than the individuals from the capital city of Kerma. The injuries found in the human remains of the Abu Fatima collection do not support the hypothesis of a practice of contact sports within the community of Abu Fatima with certainty. The injury patterns found in the individuals from the Abu Fatima collection show similarities with both modern boxing individuals as the individuals from Kerma and NDRS, which are connected to interpersonal violence. A new theory has been introduced connecting the fractures in this research to the practice of Ancient stick fighting, a sport very popular in Ancient Nubia which has not yet been studied on possible injury patterns.Show less
Százhalombatta-Földvár is one of the biggest and most extensively studied Bronze Age tell sites in Hungary. Due to its location on a dry loessy high bluff zone on the Western bank of the river...Show moreSzázhalombatta-Földvár is one of the biggest and most extensively studied Bronze Age tell sites in Hungary. Due to its location on a dry loessy high bluff zone on the Western bank of the river Danube, a sedimentary environment that is appropriate for pollen preservation to conduct pollen analysis was not found around the site (Sumegi & Bodor, 2000). Instead, regional pollen analysis has been conducted to study the environment relating to the Százhalombatta-Földvár site. This regional sediment sample was obtained by coring from an oxbow lake about 500 m away from the site. During the Százhalombatta-Földvár excavation in 2022, however, the lithological examination of the floor sediment from [House] 9000 indicated the possibility for pollen preservation, followed by palynological investigation including the comparison to the regional pollen record. This unconventional method of pollen analysis was successfully conducted, yielding a well-preserved pollen assemblage. The methods of pollen analysis applied are pollen counts, taxonomic identification and states of preservation analysis. These methods indicate that the well-preserved pollen assemblage obtained from the unconventional context does not reflect the pollen assemblage from the oxbow lake pollen record. Especially the absence of arboreal pollen at the site compared to that recorded in the regional pollen data is conspicuous. These results allow us to discuss and investigate the sample from [House] 9000. Specifically, in the sample, taphonomic agents contributing to the absence of arboreal pollen in contrast with the regional palynological signal are analysed and the predominance of Poaceae is explained with taphonomic processes. Furthermore, the taphonomic agents causing the primary pollen preservation states are investigated and the taphonomic processes resulting in the preservation biases are explored in archaeological interpretation. In consequence, the investigation of the taphonomic processes suggests anthropogenic agents causing the discrepancy and bias in the pollen assemblage with the construction and materials used for [House] 9000. The pollen preservation state analysis revealed that the primary states of pollen preservation are degraded and folded. These in turn are evidence of the taphonomic processes of oxidisation and physical stress, which in combination with archaeological evidence suggests anthropogenic activities as cause. To conclude, this thesis could contribute to multi-disciplinary research and greater understanding of the Bronze Age site, Százhalombatta-Földvár. Moreover, it demonstrates new potential of palynological analysis employing an innovative sampling method that directly relates to the human activities at the site. The results of this thesis have the potential to stimulate further application of this new approach.Show less
In de Nederlandse (archeologische) geschiedenis speelt het schip een belangrijke rol. Een schip staat voor het maritieme verhaal van Nederland, echter kunnen losse onderdelen van een schip, zoals...Show moreIn de Nederlandse (archeologische) geschiedenis speelt het schip een belangrijke rol. Een schip staat voor het maritieme verhaal van Nederland, echter kunnen losse onderdelen van een schip, zoals scheepshout en constructieonderdelen ook bijdragen aan dit maritieme verhaal. Deze losse vondsten worden veel in hergebruikte vorm teruggevonden in allerlei contexten en toepassingen in Nederland. Hergebruik betekent het opnieuw gebruiken of toepassen van voorwerpen vanuit de oude context in de nieuwe context waarbij de functie van het voorwerp veranderd. Bijvoorbeeld huidplanken van een schip (voorwerpen) worden hergebruik als onderdeel van een perceelscheiding in een gedempte 12e-eeuwse gracht. Hergebruik is ook het opnieuw gebruiken van een object waarbij de context en de functie van het object veranderd. Bijvoorbeeld een schip wordt afgezonken in de rivier de IJssel om de huidige rivierloop te verleggen. Hierbij veranderd de oude context van het object (schip gelegen in haven of werf) naar de nieuwe context (schip gelegen op de bodem van de rivier) en de oude functie (zeevarend object) krijgt een nieuwe functie (rivierverlegger of waterstaatkundig object). Als laatste kan hergebruik ook het opnieuw toepassen van voorwerpen vanuit de oude context in de nieuwe context zijn waarbij de functie van het voorwerp niet veranderd. Bijvoorbeeld een dekknie (voorwerp) wordt gebruikt om de het dek te ondersteunen. De dekknie wordt vervolgens uit het wrak gehaald en in een dakconstructie van een huis geplaats ter ondersteuning van de vloer. Hierbij veranderd de oude context (wrak of schip) in de nieuwe context (dakconstructie huis), maar veranderd de functie niet (dragen van dek of vloer). Onder hergebruik worden geen scheepsreparaties opgenomen, voorwerpen die tot de inventaris van schepen behoren, halffabricaten of hout of metaal dat is omgevormd tot een ander voorwerp, zoals een beeld. Het hergebruik van scheepshout en constructie-elementen verschilt per tijd en per context. In de Romeinse Tijd wordt voornamelijk eikenhout hergebruikt. Op basis van dit onderzoek worden in de Romeinse Tijd eikenhouten scheepsdelen voornamelijk gedeeltelijk in verband toegepast in constructies. Voor de Middeleeuwen ligt de focus voornamelijk op eikenhouten planken in waterputten en de Nieuwe Tijd worden voornamelijk eikenhouten, kromvormig houten onderdelen toegepast in waterputten. Al deze contexten hadden iets met wonen en werken te maken. De meeste hergebruikte scheepselementen worden voornamelijk kwantitatief gebruikt. Dat wil zeggen er is gewerkt met wat er beschikbaar is. Hout wordt het meest hergebruikt en constructieonderdelen als klinknagels zijn vaak bevestigd aan dit scheepshout. Soms blijven ze achter in de grond wanneer het scheepshout is weggerot of verbrand. Sintels en klinknagels kunnen een aanduiding zijn voor scheepvaart en/of hergebruik, maar een andere toepassing van sintels of klinknagels in bijvoorbeeld gebouwen of deuren is ook mogelijk. Dit is nooit goed onderzocht. De vorm van het scheepshout heeft ook invloed op de toepassing van het hout in bijvoorbeeld constructies. Planken en inhouten zijn bijvoorbeeld gemaakt van een goede kwaliteit hout en erg stevig. Dit maakt ze goed toepasbaar in bijvoorbeeld funderingen, omdat stevigheid een vereiste is voor het maken van een goede fundering. De belangrijkste redenen om scheepshout her te gebruiken zijn economische redenen, zoals schaarste. Naast deze gegevens kan het onderzoek naar scheepshout en constructieonderdelen nog veel data opleveren, zoals scheepstypen die per regio of gebied hebben gevaren. Scheepshout laat vaak belangrijke veranderingen één op één terugzien in het hergebruik, zoals landschapsontwikkelingen of veranderingen in de scheepsbouw. Dit maakt het onderzoek naar hergebruik een waardevolle bron voor de Nederlandse (maritieme) archeologie.Show less
During the Middle Neolithic, the first farmers in the present-day Netherlands cultivated their own food and kept animals while still hunting wild game. During this period, the people from the...Show moreDuring the Middle Neolithic, the first farmers in the present-day Netherlands cultivated their own food and kept animals while still hunting wild game. During this period, the people from the Funnel Beaker culture (3400- 2900 cal. BC) lived in the northern part the country while the people of the Vlaardingen culture (3400-2500 BC) lived in the south. Hunting animals was still a crucial part in the gathering of resources; the meat could be eaten, the bones were used to make tools and hides were processed to make clothes and other products. To remove the last of the fat and meat on a hide, the hide was scraped. This was done with flint scrapers, small tools with a rounded edge. This was a common practice, making these tools a common artifact found during excavations. The scrapers from a Funnel Beaker site called Haren- de Vork, located near the city of Groningen, would be used to collect data about the usage of these tools. During the excavation of this site, many scrapers were found, of which 49 would eventually be analyzed for use-wear traces. The goal was to better understand how these tools were damages and which materials the scrapers were used on. This data was used to gain a better understanding of this site. The use-wear traces on these scrapers would show how a variability of hide types were processed at the site of Haren- de Vork, while other traces suggest that some scrapers were hafted. This information has led to the interpretation that the site was used for a relatively long period of time, even though house plans have not been found during excavation. The information of Haren- de Vork is also compared to other Funnel Beaker sites, showing how the remains of these sites are not uniform and can wildly differ. These differences can be contributed to multiple varieties such as the type of landscape but also the function of a site. The dataset from Haren- de Vork was also compared to the Vlaardingen site of Wateringse Binnentuinen. Multiple differences in use-wear traces have been observed, an example of which is the ratio of dry- and fresh hide scrapers. The site of Haren- de Vork has a much larger amount of dry hide scrapers when compared to the VL site of Wateringse Binnentuinen. It can most likely be attributed to the landscape in which people lived and the available game which was predominantly hunted.Show less
