This thesis takes a look at a specific cooking ware vessel found during the survey campaigns of the Colonial Landscape Project; the baking cover. The function of this vessel was to prepare food...Show moreThis thesis takes a look at a specific cooking ware vessel found during the survey campaigns of the Colonial Landscape Project; the baking cover. The function of this vessel was to prepare food underneath. It starts with the framework as given by Cubberley et al. (1988), in which they relate differences in flange sizes to different time periods. Afterwards, it gives a reference collection with samples of baking covers found at different sites located in Central Italy. With these two starting points, it will analyse the baking covers found during the survey campaigns of the Colonial Landscape Project based on typology, sizes and decorations. At the end, a catalogue will be provided in which both collections, from the Central Italian reference collection and from the Colonial Landscape Project, are included which could be used as a reference collection when classifying and dating baking cover fragments and/or vessels.Show less
Roman Provincial Coinage in the Eastern provinces is an interesting phenomenon on which a specific identity is displayed. This will both look back at a (Hellenistic) past and a (Roman) present....Show moreRoman Provincial Coinage in the Eastern provinces is an interesting phenomenon on which a specific identity is displayed. This will both look back at a (Hellenistic) past and a (Roman) present. This thesis will focus on the coinage of 3 Provincial cities (Corinth, Amphipolis and Pergamom) and how this relates to their relationship with Rome.Show less
The Italian Bronze Age is traditionally pictured as a period of cultural uniformity, which abruptly ends during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, when numerous regional groups develop...Show moreThe Italian Bronze Age is traditionally pictured as a period of cultural uniformity, which abruptly ends during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, when numerous regional groups develop distinct material cultures. This traditional view has been questioned and it is proposed that the change from uniformity to diversity developed gradually instead of rapidly. This thesis tests the new model by conducting a comparative analysis on the pottery, exotic goods and metal objects from four Bronze Age settlements in the region that is now known as Molise: Fonte Maggio, Masseria Mammarella, Rocca di Oratino and Monteroduni. Little research has been conducted in this region in the past and could offer fresh insights in the discussion on regionalism versus uniformity. Barker studied two of the selected sites during the 1970s and this thesis uses several of Barker’s theories and methods. However, two central research themes, interconnectivity and social networks, are added to the theoretical framework by discussing Broodbank’s perspective on the Mediterranean Bronze Age. Also, this thesis focuses on differences rather than similarities between the sites, as has been done in previous research on the Italian Bronze Age. The results of the comparative analysis indicate that both pottery assemblages and rare goods at all four sites differ. However, due to methodological problems, these differences are inconclusive to confirm regionalism, as it is known during the later Iron Age. Furthermore, the rare goods at the sites show that all four sites interacted with other regions, which contrasts with Barker’s theories on communication in Molise during the Bronze Age. The differences could indicate local preferences and could be interpreted as an initial phase in a more gradual development of regionalism. This would support the new model to a certain degree and it is evident that uniformity should no longer be the starting point in research on the Italian Bronze Age.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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"The 'lively' streets of Olynthos in the 5th century BCE" is a spatial study of the North Hill of Olynthos in Northern Greece. The aim of the study was to reveal ancient movement flows and areas of...Show more"The 'lively' streets of Olynthos in the 5th century BCE" is a spatial study of the North Hill of Olynthos in Northern Greece. The aim of the study was to reveal ancient movement flows and areas of activity along the streets, while investigating the connection between private and public space. In order to achieve this goal, this study applied methods from space syntax at different scales, ranging from the entire street network of the city’s North Hill to smaller street segments and individual houses. Given the lack of spatial studies focused on ancient Greek urban contexts, the study presented here used methodological advancements previously applied to the Roman cities Pompeii and Ostia. The axial analysis of Olynthos at a macro-scale has revealed valuable information about movement through the city, and the visibility graph analysis and isovist map have suggested a larger underlying principle of ‘equality’ at work in the area’s construction. At the same time, an examination of the positioning of doorways at a micro-scale has provided insights into social control, 'privacy', and the distribution of shops within the settlement. As the material remains of Olynthos were significantly affected by the settlement’s destruction by Philip II in 348 BCE, this spatial study adds complementary information to the study of the material record.Show less
This thesis explores the biography of the Dying Niobid, a fifth century BC Greek statue that was found in Rome. Previous research on Greek sculptural art has mainly focussed on the objects as a...Show moreThis thesis explores the biography of the Dying Niobid, a fifth century BC Greek statue that was found in Rome. Previous research on Greek sculptural art has mainly focussed on the objects as a representation of the Classical Greek period. When looking at the Dying Niobid it becomes clear that this sculpture, one among a great body of Greek sculptures brought to Rome, has functioned in more than one context throughout its life, the ‘Greek’ context being just one of them. Therefore the question to be asked must no longer be what does the object represent, but what does it do in these different contexts? With the object as point of departure, this research will focus on the “active” role of the Dying Niobid in terms of power, influence and agency. To enable this, the main objective for this thesis is to apply a fundamentally different approach and methodology to Greek sculptures in Rome; a “cultural biographical approach” to objects. Through the methodology of the cultural biography, it is possible to take all of the contexts in which the object has functioned in consideration and reconstruct the way in which the agency and power of the object can change and accumulate throughout its existence. Exploring the biography of the Niobid leads us through different functions and appropriations of Greek art. From a fifth century BC Apollo temple in Greece, the story of the Niobid leads to Rome; the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, a Republican temple restored in Augustan times and further on to the Horti Sallustiani, a garden. In the realms of this garden the Niobid was excavated in 1906, followed by a series of events and political dispute concerning the statue. At the present the Dying Niobid still functions in Rome, on display in the Museo Nazionale Romano; Palazzo Massimo. This case-study is placed in a theoretical framework of symmetrical archaeology. Through this framework the aim is to achieve symmetry between not only the importance of the role of things, humans and other entities within each context, but also between the different life phases of the object. This will enable us to say something on the changes of meaning and agency of the object throughout time and space, and add to the wider debate on the role of Greek objects in the Roman world.Show less
The ancient Roman city of Ostia has captured the imagination of visitors and the interest of scholars for centuries. However, despite numerous past and current research projects many aspects of the...Show moreThe ancient Roman city of Ostia has captured the imagination of visitors and the interest of scholars for centuries. However, despite numerous past and current research projects many aspects of the site have remained unexplored. One of these areas concerns the role of mosaic floors found in Ostia’s commercial spaces. Although most have been described and some have been ascribed an advertising function in previous publications, no collective study into their role has been done before. This thesis focussed on exploring the role of mosaic floors in the commercial spaces of Ostia built and used in the first, second and third centuries AD. Thereby looking to identify any general trends which might explain the individual or collective decision taken to use mosaic floors in certain commercial spaces and not in others. But also aiming to bring to light which specific functions the mosaics fulfilled. Data has been collected for this research by performing a survey in Ostia as well as studying literature on Ostian mosaics, especially Becatti’s publication from 1961. Clarke’s ideas on non-elite Roman art (Clarke 2003) and the influence of the composition of black-and-white mosaics on the viewer (Clarke 1979) have been very important to interpret the data. This thesis argues that there are several reasons why mosaics would have been preferred over non-mosaics in several of Ostia’s commercial spaces. All mosaics were probably preferred over cheaper floor types as they gave the spaces a more luxurious look, which would attract (better paying) customers. Furthermore, the alternating periods of economic decline and improvement seen in the city could also have been of influence. In addition, a variety of more specific functions has been detected: advertisement, status display, expression of identity and ownership, pleasing the gods and providing a focal point for auctions. The knowledge gained through this study has given insight in the ways owners of commercial spaces in the Roman period used decorations to influence (potential) customers. But also how owners used these art forms to express personal ideas and values. Which is an interesting addition to our understanding of commerce in the Roman world.Show less
The voices of Roman slaves have been silenced in death, as in life, and it is with difficulty that we try to locate slavery in the archaeological record. It is therefore important to use all extant...Show moreThe voices of Roman slaves have been silenced in death, as in life, and it is with difficulty that we try to locate slavery in the archaeological record. It is therefore important to use all extant material at our disposal, and the figurines of slave characters in Roman comedy represent a rich, untapped resource. One character in particular, the ‘clever slave’, with his tricky schemes and quick wit, captured the imagination of all levels of Roman society in a way that real slaves never could. This clever slave’s popularity is confirmed by the rich archaeological record, which preserved thousands of charming figurines in a variety of styles and materials, spanning different time periods and geographical areas of the Classical world. They are not only fascinating for their iconography, but for the insights they give us into the technicalities of ancient acting. They have been unearthed in homes, sanctuaries and tombs- diverse contexts that hint at their multitudinous purposes. By examining the ancient texts along with a representative sample of the material evidence, I can establish the nature of these unruly slave characters, how they became so popular and why their image was a recognisable and welcome sight around the Roman world for centuries. Through this analysis I will elucidate on the significance of these statuettes in Roman society, positing how this character and these types of artefacts may have been perceived by slaves. The methodology employed in this thesis also aims to demonstrate how archaeology and classics can be used in tandem to reveal something novel and meaningful that can add to the studies of Roman slavery.Show less
Famous as the homeland of Odysseus, Ithaca has been a preferred research area for archaeologists. However, the archaeology of Ithaca has been severely biased by its Homeric focus. As a result, Late...Show moreFamous as the homeland of Odysseus, Ithaca has been a preferred research area for archaeologists. However, the archaeology of Ithaca has been severely biased by its Homeric focus. As a result, Late Archaic and Classical Ithaca remains poorly understood. This biased research agenda combined with the lack of visible remains of monumental public architecture have created the impression that Classical Ithaca was an isolated backwater. This thesis aims to partially redress the balance. At Polis valley, northern Ithaca, relatively rich deposits of Late Archaic and Classical occupation have come to light. Six assemblages of fine ware pottery, Ithacan and imported, provide important insights on the hitherto unknown local pottery production and development, its relations to the Western Greek pottery tradition as well as the influences from the well-known pottery production centres of Athens and Corinth. The contexts of behaviour in which the pottery participated likely represent activities of communal feasting in the open and during daylight, followed by an arranged exposure of the leftovers on the surface. The social significance of the pottery is then investigated and it is argued that the local elite largely regulated pottery production and imports of foreign ceramics as strategies for maintaining the established social hierarchy. Furthermore, the depositional practices of the pottery may reveal a complex negotiation of social behaviours and concepts, such as insularity, acculturation, identity and connectivity. The final conclusion is that the local widely-connected seafaring elite deliberately cultivated a culture of austerity and traditionalism in order to maintain its power over the community, and the manipulation of fine ware pottery played a major role in the success of this strategy.Show less
This paper is a study on the ancient signaling methods used on the frontiers of Britain and Dacia. By approaching the conquest of both provinces from a historical and an archaeological point of...Show moreThis paper is a study on the ancient signaling methods used on the frontiers of Britain and Dacia. By approaching the conquest of both provinces from a historical and an archaeological point of view, the reasons behind the creation of the frontiers will be better understood. With the help of ancient sources such as Plutarch, Suetonius, Plinius the Elder, Cassius Dio and more recent sources such as D.J. Woolliscroft, D. Breeze, C.C. Petolescu and others, I have recreated the historical and ideological context in which the two provinces were conquered and the new frontiers created. The archaeological evidence comes to support the historical arguments and open up new perspectives. By observing the recreation and testing of ancient signaling methods on Hadrian`s Wall in Britain one would determine how to proper apply these methods on other frontiers as well. In this paper I have shown which are the methods used and what results they yielded in Britain and I have applied them on the frontier of Dacia. I have shown that these methods can be used in identifying new elements of the defense network, unknown before, around Dacia.Show less
This thesis presents and discusses the finds and features of seven Cretan caves, with a focus on the Minoan period: the caves of Psychro, Kamares, Skoteino, Arkalochori, Ida, Patso and Amnisos. The...Show moreThis thesis presents and discusses the finds and features of seven Cretan caves, with a focus on the Minoan period: the caves of Psychro, Kamares, Skoteino, Arkalochori, Ida, Patso and Amnisos. The data comes from old reports from the late 19th and early 20th century and later publications. To study the ritual character of the sites a theoretical framework is applied to it that combines analysis of aspects of ritual and symbolism with a comparison of finds and features from other ritual sites. It provides new insights on how to approach the material found in these contexts.Show less
This study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically...Show moreThis study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically analyzing evidence for religious activities on the islands, gleaned from the corpus of published works, in a diachronic perspective and using an explorative approach, the continuity of traditions, sites and possibly beliefs are systematically studied. The result then is a religious biography of the islands, discussing mainly the continuity of phenomena and the development of religious activities. The Maltese archipelago was subjected to many different cultural influences, which is reflected in the development of religious activities. A gradual evolution from the early Neolithic up till the start of the Bronze Age can be witnessed, during which foreign influences can be recognised. After the Bronze Age, which was fundamentally different in religious traditions than its predecessor, the Orientalising influence brought upon by the Phoenicians shaped the religious landscape of the archipelago, laying the fundaments for the succeeding millennium-and-a-half. The rise of several powers in the Mediterranean area (such as the Etruscans, Greeks and the Romans) influenced Malta indirectly. During the Punic and Roman phases the religious activities are affected by Hellenising influences, seen in material culture and the identification of deities. Under Roman Imperial rule the population gradually adopts more Roman religious customs. There is some evidence for some of the Eastern mystery cults of Mithras and Isis, but future research should help to elucidate this. From the fifth century CE onwards there is enough evidence to confirm the presence of a Diaspora Jewish community, as well as infer that a good amount of the population at that time followed the religion of Christianity. The religious developments show how insularity at one hand encouraged local development of traditions, while the high connectivity due to the geographical location of the islands encouraged the introduction of new traditions. As a result a clear line of development can be traced and influencing trends can clearly be distinguished. There are still some areas, such as some of the iconography encountered, which require further exploration to provide a better understanding of the religious developments on the islands.Show less
This essay investigates the archaeological evidence that indicate water management intended for agricultural optimization in Minoan Crete. The geographical, geomorphological, climatic,...Show moreThis essay investigates the archaeological evidence that indicate water management intended for agricultural optimization in Minoan Crete. The geographical, geomorphological, climatic, palaeoenvironmental and chronological contexts of Minoan Crete are examined as an introduction. A brief overview of the water management solutions encountered in settlement environments follows. The main topic is analyzed through the evidence provided by the island of Pseira, the valley of Choiromandres in Zakros, the region of Kavousi, the coastal area of Gournia and the plain of Malia. Parallels from Kythera Island and the Mycenaean Tiryns are used to broaden the image of the Late Bronze Age agricultural life in the Aegean region. The modern-day irrigation techniques found on the island of Crete are discussed in the place of an ethnographic study.Show less
This thesis highlights Baron W.H.J. van Westreenen van Tiellandt (1783-1848) as a collector of antiquities in early nineteenth century Holland. The professionalising of science during the...Show moreThis thesis highlights Baron W.H.J. van Westreenen van Tiellandt (1783-1848) as a collector of antiquities in early nineteenth century Holland. The professionalising of science during the Enlightenment era had a considerable impact on the study of antiquity as well. Take for example Winckelmann’s history of antique art, and the late eighteenth century Altertumswissenschaft incorporating all facets of the classical world (texts, inscriptions and material remains). The latter movement, which also found its way to Holland, strongly contributed to the genesis of the academic archaeological discipline in Leiden in 1818. Moreover, partly due to the Romantic movement in the first half of the nineteenth century and the involvement of institutionalised museums of antiquity, the rather patriotic approach to antiquity gradually took the upper hand over focussing on the splendour of the classical Mediterranean context which had dominated the antiquarian world before. The longstanding humanist tradition of studying classical remains in their native context increasingly gained adherents and was also supported by the first professor of archaeology, C.J.C. Reuvens (1793-1835). But how exactly does Van Westreenen fit as a collector in this fascinating period of shifting receptions of and approaches to antiquity? Although a bibliophile at heart, he was also charmed by classical material culture in general and more specifically, like Reuvens, those unearthed on Dutch soil. In this thesis the involvements of Van Westreenen in the study of the Roman settlement Arentsburg and the Roman fort Brittenburg are treated and compared to Reuvens’, serving as a benchmark of contemporary scientific archaeological research. This study exposes the differences and similarities in their methodology and perception of antiquity and places them in the reshaping political and cultural climate of the early nineteenth century. Finally Van Westreenen’s collecting policy is analysed diachronically, based on his handwritten Catalogue des livres, manuscrits et antiquites. This catalogue describes his acquisitions of 264 Roman antiquities between 1797 and 1835 and allows for a study of Van Westreenen’s underlying rationale of collecting antiquities.Show less
Roman colonization has received a lot of attention in archaeological publications over the last decade, due to new evidence which suggested that the earlier assumptions, based mainly on a much...Show moreRoman colonization has received a lot of attention in archaeological publications over the last decade, due to new evidence which suggested that the earlier assumptions, based mainly on a much later Roman source by Gellius who describes colonies as small copies of Rome, on the subject were outdated and incorrect. While the urban aspect of Roman colonization has been extensively reviewed with this new perspective, the influence Roman colonization had on the rural landscape has been somewhat neglected. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the impact the foundation of the Roman colony of Aesernia in modern Molise had on the surrounding landscape, using survey data and aerial photographs as sources of information. In order to properly analyse the changes around Aesernia, the ancient Samnite settlement of Bovianum has been selected for analysis, providing an example of a rural landscape which due to its history was more likely to retain its “Samnite” character. Despite difficulties with the available data concerning these area, mainly due to the relative underrepresentation of Molise in Italian archaeology, two things have become clear. First of all, based on both the survey data and the analysis of the aerial photographs, the model described by Gellius for Roman colonies does not apply to the rural landscape of Aesernia. There is no clear break detectable in settlement pattern after the foundation of the colony, which is what is claimed by Gellius. Secondly, this study has shown the potential of a combined application of aerial photography and a field survey in a rugged region such as Molise. Not only does it provide a method to quickly analyse a large amount of land with relatively high detail and at a low cost, it also allows further archaeological research to focus its resources on the locations with the greatest archaeological importance identified with these techniques.Show less
Several scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is...Show moreSeveral scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is similar. In this study, the comparison between the two groups is critically examined and the exact differences and similarities are discussed. Investigating second and early third-century Vestal statues from the Atrium Vestae in the Roman Forum, comparing them to statues of matronae from the same periods but different contexts, I demonstrate that the Vestales have been perceived by the Romans as a separate group, clearly distinguishable from matronae. Differences in details such as hairstyle, standing position, facial expression, and the interaction with the viewer show that Vestales and matronae are not the same. Some Vestales are more matrona-like than others, and the expected characteristics of matronae perhaps need to be redefined. Furthermore, the four points of comparison in which the two classes of women differ are precisely those that can be used for display of self-representation. Thus, matronae are proven to be more concerned with this than Vestales. Moreover, it is argued that the scholars that made the comparison between the two female groups have been subjected to gender influence. In conclusion, the comparison an sich is perhaps less useful with respect to the fact that Vestales need to be examined in relation to their religious group, whereas matronae should be regarded as part of a secular social context.Show less
