This study investigates the current state of archaeological research performed on the mummified human remains of the Nazca culture in Peru. At the time of writing, there is a lack in the archiving...Show moreThis study investigates the current state of archaeological research performed on the mummified human remains of the Nazca culture in Peru. At the time of writing, there is a lack in the archiving of archaeological research of the Nazca mummified remains as well as the datedness of the used research techniques. To improve the research on mummified human remains in the Nazca region, a bioarcheological comparison of research techniques is carried out between the Nazca region and the arid regions most similar to Nazca, in this case the regions of China and the Nile. A database was created with the research techniques utilized in the Nazca, China and Nile region. After comparing the different research techniques utilized in the different regions, the study concludes that eleven research techniques are not used in the Nazca region. Of these research techniques seven are suitable for future research on site. The findings of this study demonstrate that there is potential for the creation of a database for archiving reports of the mummified human remains and corresponding research techniques, as well as the utilization of newer and more modern research techniques. Both are expected to have a positive impact on the research of mummified human remains in Nazca. This research can be used as a guideline for future archaeological research on the Nazca human mummified remains.Show less
In this study, a selection of articles on trepanation in Pre-Columbian Peru were chosen to represent the four departments of Amazonas, Apurímac, Lima and Cusco. The available data was extracted...Show moreIn this study, a selection of articles on trepanation in Pre-Columbian Peru were chosen to represent the four departments of Amazonas, Apurímac, Lima and Cusco. The available data was extracted from these articles, and combined in order to greater understand the variations between the method, location, biological profiles and frequency of trepanations in Peru before the Spanish conquest. The survival rate for this sample, at 54% (n=136), suggests a lower rate than shown in previous studies. This result is discussed, in relation to surrounding issues within trepanation studies to understand the true implications of the results. The lack of available data, as well as the future improvements imaging technology encourage for further research into the subject of survival and the nature of Peruvian trepanations, hopefully exceeding the problems encountered in the making of this study, as well as previous studies, on trepanation.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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Among the palaeoecological proxies used, palynological analysis is commonly used for the climatic zonation to divide geological time periods. Often, single cores from lacustrine sediments are used...Show moreAmong the palaeoecological proxies used, palynological analysis is commonly used for the climatic zonation to divide geological time periods. Often, single cores from lacustrine sediments are used to create a pollen diagram. Some of these pollen records are directly dated through the use of radiocarbon, other records are in an indirect way dated by correlation to pollen zones with a known date. In the asymmetrically-shaped Preboreal residual channel of Anhamm, in the Niers-Rhine valley in Germany, a zonation based on two cores, located roughly 8 meters apart, shows differences in the two pollen diagrams. The palynological analysis suggest a taphonomic bias on the cores, especially in the deepest core containing the longest record which is often chosen for sampling. The pollen assemblage from the deepest core, located near the outer cut bank of the residual channel, would have been influenced by local vegetation entrapping or blocking dispersed pollen grains. To find out more about the local conditions and possible taphonomic influence on the pollen assemblage, a macrobotanical analysis was conducted in this thesis. The aim was to compare the two cores within each palaeobotanical proxy, and to compare the data and eventual interpretation between the proxies. The thesis was based on two important questions: 1) What could be interpreted regarding palaeo-environmental reconstruction from the macrobotanical remains of the cores Anhamm-A and Anhamm-B, and 2) Comparing the data from the macrobotanical analysis with the palynological analysis, what problems might arise from interpreting the data considering palaeoenvironmental reconstructions? The approach was to get a detailed view of what palynological applications are used for, and which steps are taken from raw data to determine the boundaries for pollen zones. The former research on palaeoenvironmental studies on the Niers-Rhine valley were compared to this case study of Anhamm, and the former palynological analysis on the Anhamm cores was subsequently compared in different levels to the macrobotanical analysis. To conclude, the macrobotanical analysis shows a local vegetation development in a hydroseral succession, and suggests a discrepancy between tree macrofossils and microfossils in the middle part of both cores. The contrast gives an example of different outcome between proxies that affect the interpretation of the pollen-assemblage zonation of Anhamm. AMS-dates could offer more clarity in the different perspectives on the zonation, age and resolution of the residual channel deposits. For asymmetrical residual channel deposits, not only multiple cores should be used, but rather multiple proxies to set a stronger foundation in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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Cribra femora is a porous lesion on the anterior aspect of the femoral neck, which is the same as Allen’s fossa, but different from Poirier’s facet and plaque formation. Currently, this porosity...Show moreCribra femora is a porous lesion on the anterior aspect of the femoral neck, which is the same as Allen’s fossa, but different from Poirier’s facet and plaque formation. Currently, this porosity remains highly debated as to its association with other skeletal lesions, and as to its cause. Therefore, this thesis asks two questions; what is the cause or causes of cribra femora, and to what other porous lesions is cribra femora correlated? To answer these questions, two skeletal collections were studied; the 17th-19th century, Dutch farming community Middenbeemster (n = 210), and the 1960-1975 Dutch medical Dankmeijer collection (n = 68). Both collections were examined for the presence of cribra femora, cribra orbitalia, cribra humeris, porotic hyperostosis, and cribra fibular. Further, lateral vault porosity, rickets, tuberculosis, osteoarthritis of the hip, enamel hypoplasia, growth stunting and adult stature were recorded. Cribra femora was present in 36.2% of Middenbeemster individuals and 10.3% of the Dankmeijer collection. This difference was not statistically significant. Presence and severity of cribra femora significantly increase with age into the juvenile group (7-12 years old) after which they decrease, although adults of all ages are affected. The lesion is correlated with cribra orbitalia and cribra fibular, but not with cribra humeris, providing no support for the existence of a ‘cribrous syndrome’. Cribra femora is not a nonmetric trait, since healing lesions and different degrees of lesion severity were encountered. Also, it is not the result of activity, since it occurs mostly in subadults, and is negatively correlated with osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Cribra femora is not the result of rickets, as the two are not correlated. Cribra femora is not solely the result of growth, since it occurs frequently in adults, including old adults (50+). Healing lesions and lesions of varying severity in adults indicate that lesions still form in this age group. However, cribra femora is related to a younger age, as it occurs more frequently in subadults. This is due to the thinner cortical bone and higher remodelling rates of subadults. Cribra femora is caused by systemic physiological stress, since it is positively correlated with growth stunting and is more common in populations of low socioeconomic status with high rates of infectious disease. This physiological stress resulting in cribra femora is probably anemia, which can have many causes. At Middenbeemster, cribra femora and cribra orbitalia are positively correlated. In the literature, both lesions have the same microscopic appearance. Also, cribra femora and lateral vault porosity are positively correlated, indicating that, cribra femora can form as the result of anemia in scurvy. Lastly, cribra femora is observed at higher percentages in populations experiencing more infectious disease, which may cause anemia. Thus, it can be concluded that cribra femora is caused by anemia, to which children react more severely due to their thinner cortical bone and higher remodelling rates. Still, more research is needed to solidify this conclusion.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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This thesis analysed orthopaedic treatment in three infirmary collections from Late Medieval and Early Modern period, The Netherlands; Delft Old and New Infirmary, Haarlem st. Gangolf Infirmary and...Show moreThis thesis analysed orthopaedic treatment in three infirmary collections from Late Medieval and Early Modern period, The Netherlands; Delft Old and New Infirmary, Haarlem st. Gangolf Infirmary and Breda Vlaszak Infirmary. Macroscopic, radiologic, and handheld x-ray fluorescence (hhXRF) analysis were applied to cases of fractures, dislocations, kyphosis, scoliosis, rickets and poliomyelitis (in total n=88) to understand the nature, access and quality of treatment provided to individuals from a lower segment of society. Treatment was most abundantly detected in the fracture sample (n=25). Stable fracture types appeared well healed consistently throughout the Late Medieval and Early Modern period. More complicated, unstable fractures, carried a poor prognosis. Deformations of the spine and ribs suggested active treatment through orthopaedic corseting for one individual suffering from kyphosis in the Delft infirmary. Metal staining on the affected limb of an individual with poliomyelitis suggested active treatment with a metal artefact, possibly an orthopaedic brace of an individual from the Breda collection. Handheld XRF analysis identified the metal as brass. The distribution of the conditions suggests that the Breda infirmary was perhaps more focussed on the medical component of the infirmary than the Delft and Haarlem infirmary. However, similar relative frequencies of actively treated individuals of the Delft and Breda collection suggest access to care would have been comparable. Analysis of the conditions grouped by period showed that stable fractures, such as the Colles’ and parry fractures, were treated proficiently from the Late Medieval period onwards. In addition, the individual with active kyphosis treatment from the Delft collection predates historical references to orthopaedic corsets. The findings of this study suggest that orthopaedic healthcare was of good quality and, in contrast to historical sources, accessible to individuals of all layers of society. The importance of osteoarchaeology in creating a more holistic narrative on the past is underlined by the detection of complicated forms of treatment predating historical sources.Show less
North-east of the German town Schöningen lies the well-known Middle Pleistocene locality of Schöningen. Since 1983 archaeological research has been conducted at this locality. Most fascinating is...Show moreNorth-east of the German town Schöningen lies the well-known Middle Pleistocene locality of Schöningen. Since 1983 archaeological research has been conducted at this locality. Most fascinating is the discovery of wooden spears, dated to around 300 ka, at Schöningen 13II-4. Schöningen 13II-4 has been the focus of research ever since. However, little is known about the other Schöningen sites and levels. This thesis will focus on the traces of hominin activity in the faunal assemblages of Schöningen 12B, 12C, 13II-1, 13II-2, 13II-3 and 13II-Berme. A small part of the faunal remains from these layers have been determined. This data has been added to the data from previous research that was documented in the database. The data has been used to analyse the faunal compositions of each site. The palaeoecology of each layer has been reconstructed. Next, the influence of hominins on the formation of the bone assemblages has been assessed based on the presence of hominin modification marks. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the large mammal remains has been analysed. The results of these analyses have been compared to the faunal composition of Schöningen 13II-4. It is shown that the faunal remains of Schöningen 12B, 12C, 13II-1, 13II-2, 13II-3 and 13II-Berme clearly show a different pattern concerning hominin activity, than the faunal remains of Schöningen 13II-4. Faunal remains with hominin modification marks are less quantitative and less diverse at the analysed sites. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the faunal remains shows little to no accumulation at the analysed Schöningen sites, whereas a clear accumulation zone can be identified at Schöningen 13II-4. The differences observed between the analysed Schöningen sites and Schöningen 13II-4 might be the result of varying stratigraphic, depositional and excavation factors. However, the differences could also be the result of hominin behaviour. In order to determine this, more research should be conducted.Show less
During the last ice age, the North Sea was a dry land. Following the deglaciation, it became inundated because of the rising sea levels roughly 8 millennia ago. The North Sea region was inhabited...Show moreDuring the last ice age, the North Sea was a dry land. Following the deglaciation, it became inundated because of the rising sea levels roughly 8 millennia ago. The North Sea region was inhabited by humans and animals and provides major archaeological insights. In this thesis, an analysis of the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes of 14C dated skeletal remains from the North Sea is performed. The research question is to evaluate the potential outcome for paleo-ecological reconstructions during the Late Pleistocene and the Early Holocene, and contributions regarding human societies - in particular subsistence. The material consists for the most part of mammal skeletal remains, dating from the maximum of the 14C range (ca. 45,000 BP) to the Early Holocene. An overview of the data generated on the basis of all available measurements is given, focusing on stable isotopes. The data are discussed from various perspectives, such as the composition and biases of the database that is used in this thesis. An interesting observation is the difference in diet between Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene terrestrial mammals. This is caused by differences in the consumption of vegetation and suggests a change of landscape during this timerange. The isotope analysis of the North Sea material does confirm pre-existing hypotheses regarding dietary differences between animals. It also confirms the picture of how the North Sea area looked like many years ago: terrestrial and marine ecosystems dominated the Late Pleistocene landscape, after which it became more wet during the Early Holocene with the emergence of freshwater environments, the expansion of the marine environment and subsequent gradual disappearance of the terrestrial ecosystem. The potential of applying stable isotope research for paleo-ecological reconstructions is therefore clearly shown, even when it is based on a relatively limited sample of animal bones available.Show less
Barnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological...Show moreBarnham, East Anglia, is a well-studied Pleistocene site and contains stratigraphic sequences which contain well-preserved fossils and evidence of hominid presence. Barnham is archaeological relevant while different early industries are situated in the same stratigraphic positions. This thesis is conducted to contribute to the understanding of hominid occupation in Lower Palaeolithic Barnham. This understanding is created by a research of pollen grains. 8 slides with sediment from a profile section of Barnham were analysed. In total 18 pollen grains and four exotic marker spores were identified, including pollen of Alnus sp., Corylus/Myrica sp. and Plantago sp.. This obtained data are not representative (at least 300 pollen grains must be counted for a representative research) and valuable to contribute to the whole understanding of hominid occupation in this area. The data can however contribute to the understanding of degradation, taphonomic processes and the understanding of bias in pollen assemblages. There are many processes that may have influenced the data that are generated in this research, among other things the selective transport of fossils and differential destruction, in which only the more robust specimens survive, must be taken in to account. In the soil, degradation takes place through different factors, e.g. by microbiological activity, by chemical oxidation, by mechanical powers or by changing temperatures. This research contributes to the awareness of the processes that are associated with the maintenance of pollen. Although the data in this research are limited, the pollen grains identified in this research still contribute to the understanding of former vegetation or landscape. Other proxies and different researches fields of past climate must be interlinked with pollen research, to create a better understanding of past vegetation and landscape in this particular area, and the understanding of climatic changes worldwide.Show less
This study focuses on the eighteenth century archaeological fish remains found at an urban site located at the Valkenburgerstraat in Amsterdam. The location of the Valkenburgerstraat 130-146 site...Show moreThis study focuses on the eighteenth century archaeological fish remains found at an urban site located at the Valkenburgerstraat in Amsterdam. The location of the Valkenburgerstraat 130-146 site within the old Amsterdam Jewish quarter, together with the elaborate Jewish history of Amsterdam, cause a Jewish occupation of the site to have been very likely. Because of this presumed Jewish background it is to be expected that the strict Jewish dietary laws (also called kashrut) may be visible within the faunal assemblage found at the site. In addition to the prohibition of consuming non-cloven hoofed ruminants and a number of other mammal and bird species, according to kashrut the consumption of fish without fins and/or scales is also forbidden as these animals are considered to be ‘unclean’ or in Hebrew terms treif. Additionally, a number of supplementary criteria apply for the designation of treif fish. Most important may be the fact that the fish’s scales need to be removable without damaging its skin. An example of treif fish which meets the above mentioned criteria, and which is perhaps one of the most frequently consumed species of fish in the Lows Countries, is European eel. The exclusion of fish like European eel at the Valkenburgerstraat may indicate that it were indeed Jews who occupied the site. Unfortunately, it appeared that similar research on Jewish fish consumption had been done only sporadically. Therefore, in order to compare the Valkenburgerstraat’s fish record with other North-Western European sites, the contents of four cesspits located at the predominantly Jewish Waterlooplein area together with four complexes located within the Medieval Jewish quarter of Cologne which included a Medieval Synagogue’s cesspits, were added to this study. The result of this comparative study indicates that treif fish has been consumed in very low percentages at most of these sites, including the Valkenburgerstraat. Because these percentages are considered to be negligible low and most probably the result of a sporadic unorthodox consumption or misunderstanding, together with the fact that European eel appears to have been consumed in far greater quantities at non-Jewish Amsterdam sites, one can conclude that when relying on the data presented by the fish record the Valkenburgerstraat has likely been occupied by Jews. However, in order to confirm the above statement, the results of the analysis of the remaining faunal assemblage and pottery remains found at the Valkenburgerstraat are awaited carefully.Show less
The rescue-excavation at the open-cast mine in Schöningen started in 1982. Circa 25.000 faunal remains have been excavated since that moment. These remains have been identified as large mammal...Show moreThe rescue-excavation at the open-cast mine in Schöningen started in 1982. Circa 25.000 faunal remains have been excavated since that moment. These remains have been identified as large mammal remains, small mammals, fish, mollusks, amphibians and reptiles. However the category birds is missing. Circa 167 bird bones and several egg shells were present in the layers Schöningen 13 II-2, 13 II-3 and 13 II-4. Besides the identification of the bird remains, the bones are also checked for modification marks made by the hominins who occupied Schöningen. Also the bones are compared to other archaeological sites to compare the data from Schönignen withShow less
Monte Albán Tomb 7 is one of the more enigmatic burial tombs in the valley of Oaxaca. It is still unsure as to why the deposits are so fragmented and what the grave goods might have meant within...Show moreMonte Albán Tomb 7 is one of the more enigmatic burial tombs in the valley of Oaxaca. It is still unsure as to why the deposits are so fragmented and what the grave goods might have meant within the context of this tomb. Many different theories have been carefully devised to explain the circumstances of Tomb 7 and for the purpose of this thesis, two have been chosen to serve as an explanation. The theories as they were put forward by McCafferty et al. (1994), concerning Tomb 7 in relation to the veneration of the cult goddess Lady 9 Grass as well as the theories devised by Middleton et al. (1998) which explained the tomb through the concept of grave reuse, will be applied here to shed light on the situation of Tomb 7. Both will be examined and then related to the concepts of ancestor veneration. Through comparing the theories together and attempting to find common ground they both share within the spectrum of ancestor veneration, it will be attempted to fuse the theories together to form one whole that might serve to explain the burial context of Monte Albán Tomb 7.Show less
