The Aurignacian technocomplex represents one of the earliest Anatomically Modern Human populations in Europe. This cultural tradition dates from approximately 43,000 to 35,000 years ago. The...Show moreThe Aurignacian technocomplex represents one of the earliest Anatomically Modern Human populations in Europe. This cultural tradition dates from approximately 43,000 to 35,000 years ago. The technological differences observed between the earliest two phases of this tradition indicate distinctly separate cultural phases known as the Protoaurignacian and the Early Aurignacian. Zooarchaeological evidence from southwest European cave sites suggest a larger focus on reindeer for subsistence than other mammal taxa during the Early Aurignacian in comparison to Protoaurignacian sites, but it is not yet clear whether this represents a culture-wide shift from generalized hunting strategy to specialization. This thesis explores the evidence for a shift towards specialization from Proto- to Early Aurignacian by collecting faunal assemblage data from seven Proto and eight Early Aurignacian assemblages from ten different sites found across southwestern Europe, and statistically comparing the taxonomic and body-size diversity between the Protoaurignacian and Early Aurignacian phases. I found a significant average reduction in taxonomic diversity and evenness indices from Protoaurignacian to Early Aurignacian, suggesting a shift from a more “generalized” hunting strategy employed by the Protoaurignacian to a “specialized” hunting strategy by the Early Aurignacian. This appeared driven by a preference for the particular ungulate taxon, Rangifer tarandus (reindeer), and not necessarily a preference for reindeer body size. Although additional considerations warrant further investigations, the evidence gleaned from this study strongly imply a deliberate emphasis on particular animal species for sustenance and/or material resources during the Early Aurignacian phase in the southwestern region of Europe.Show less
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
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
