Migration as a theme has held a prominent position in the (European) museum world since the 1990s. An extensive theoretical debate on its representation has been evolved since then. City museums...Show moreMigration as a theme has held a prominent position in the (European) museum world since the 1990s. An extensive theoretical debate on its representation has been evolved since then. City museums have emerged as important arenas for the exploring of the migration theme. In the development of migration-themed exhibitions, a common practice involves collaborating with local migrant communities to gather narratives previously untold or underrepresented. Whether the collected (hi)stories are presented and stored through tangible or intangible means, often this collected information is “new”. Despite the enduring presence of migration as a phenomenon throughout human history, relatively little attention has been directed towards exploring it within existing historical museum collections. While some scholars recognize the potential of historical collections to contribute to inclusive migration representations, this aspect remains relatively underexplored. This study employed two primary research strategies to address this gap. Firstly, interviews were conducted with six city museum professionals. Secondly, collection research was undertaken at the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, focusing on revisiting its historical collection. The research uncovered that revisiting historical city museum collections can yield valuable insights into migration-related histories. By posing different questions and embracing an interdisciplinary approach, previously overlooked objects can be reinterpreted to narrate migration stories. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated through the case study of the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, where several migration-related objects were identified within the historical collection. These objects, including a curved draw knife, a painting, and a sketch, symbolized various migration stories to Schiedam, such as German, Polish, and Huguenot migrations. The interdisciplinary aspect was found to be essential in enriching the revisiting process. Linking historical or archaeological data to museum collections facilitated a deeper understanding of migration-related narratives. Furthermore, exposing historical museum objects to present-day impulses can offer fresh perspectives. While participative projects have been advocated as a primary method for gathering new migration stories, this research revealed a certain hesitancy, fearing the reduction of migrants' experiences to stereotypical representations. Instead, there was a preference for embedding migration within other themes, allowing for a more nuanced portrayal of individuals' lives beyond their migrant status. Overall, this research revealed that revisiting historical city museum collections can offer valuable insights into migration-related histories. Furthermore, it contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the use of participative strategies in sourcing migration objects, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and thoughtful integration in the European city museum context.Show less
Agricultural open-air museums date back to the late 19th century, as it became fashionable to collect examples of local folklife. They collected historic, relocated buildings, furnished them with...Show moreAgricultural open-air museums date back to the late 19th century, as it became fashionable to collect examples of local folklife. They collected historic, relocated buildings, furnished them with original objects, and often enlivened the museum and building with plants, animals, and costumed interpreters. Archaeological open-air museums(AOAMs) were born out of an interest in reconstructing the archaeological past. The first AOAMs were based on pile dwellings discovered in Swiss and German lakes in the late 19th century. AOAMs are popular cultural destinations, but both AOAMs and agricultural open-air museums have faced the critique of inauthenticity. This study discusses how a concern over ‘authenticity’ could prevent different questions about AOAMs from being asked. For example, how can AOAMs engage with the past in a way that is relevant in the present, and for the future? One way to do this is to participate in climate change communication. Current media messaging is often overwhelming, or it presents climate change as contentious. Museums can be important locations for communicating climate change awareness and action in ways that do not centre fear or helplessness. A survey of the literature around climate change communication in museums shows that AOAMs are uniquely placed within museum archaeology to address many aspects of climate change engagement, using various themes and strategies. As museum spaces, they are friendly places to learn about complex issues. As places of archaeological interpretation, they can demonstrate time depth and tell local, personal stories with an affective component. As outdoor spaces, they offer immersive experiences and can facilitate a sense of connection with nature. They can engage visitors with themes of sustainability, biodiversity, and ancient plants, animals, and crafts, and show how these relate to the present. Through museum interpreters and other visitors, as well as narratives and interpretation, they can foster a sense of connection to other people both in the present and in the past. Using the case studies preHistorisch Dorp Eindhoven, Archäologisches Freilichtmuseum Oerlinghausen, and Pfahlbauten Unteruhldingen, this study discusses to what extent the museums are engaging in these themes and strategies, using an analytical framework that pays close attention to the use of various components of the museum – setting, space and layout, display types, subject and text, activities and educational programmes. The research shows that each museum emphasizes different themes and strategies. PreHistorisch Dorp focuses on creating immersive experiences by creating independent activity areas and telling personal stories of life in the past with fictional characters. Archäologisches Freilichtmuseum Oerlinghausen offers many organised events, activities and programmes, which focus mainly on ancient crafts and the connection between people and their environment. Pfahlbauten Unteruhldingen has the Steinzeitparcours, a park/garden area dedicated to encouraging a connection to nature through learning about the uses for various trees in the past. This research shows that there is room for AOAMs in the broader discussion around archaeological museums and climate change, and that they can bring a unique element of direct connection to the visitor experience.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 aimed to investigate the restricted public access to individual objects in museums, which has not been explored in detail despite previous research on facilitating public access to...Show moreThis study aimed to investigate the restricted public access to individual objects in museums, which has not been explored in detail despite previous research on facilitating public access to museum collections. The study specifically focused on the restricted access to the Venus of Dolní Věstonice and sought to understand why such a significant object is only occasionally accessible to the public. The research utilised qualitative methodology and found varying opinions on the matter. The Moravian Museum deliberately chooses to keep its highlight object away from the public in order to maintain its attractiveness, and some respondents preferred this approach. The study also observed the Venus's agency and its influence on people, including the repetitive actions during transportation and installation. This thesis aims to raise awareness of the issue concerning the public's right to participate in cultural heritage, which is at odds with the Moravian Museum's current approach. Despite the universal human right to have access to cultural heritage, the most famous object of the Moravian Museum remains hidden from sight.Show less
This thesis studies the accessibility of three Dutch museums for people with acquired brain injuries. Findings include several areas of improvement, most notably regarding the navigation within...Show moreThis thesis studies the accessibility of three Dutch museums for people with acquired brain injuries. Findings include several areas of improvement, most notably regarding the navigation within museums and the opportunity of special visitation times that include less sensory input.Show less
This research is an analysis and interpretation of the Gandharan School of Buddhist art, which is popularly also known as Graeco-Buddha art. Commonly, this school of art has been considered as...Show moreThis research is an analysis and interpretation of the Gandharan School of Buddhist art, which is popularly also known as Graeco-Buddha art. Commonly, this school of art has been considered as drawing heavy Hellenistic influence and was considered to be producing the first iconic image of Buddha through sculptures. The thesis revisits the popular conceptions and attempts to deconstruct these ideas to understand the artistic identities and influences surrounding this Buddhist School of Art. The thesis poses a twofold main question– 1: What are the predominant misconceptions concerning the Gandharan School of Art and where did these originate from? 2: The impact of these misconceptions on past and current museum displays and the impact on cultural heritage of the Gandharan School of Art as well as the heritage management of these archaeological artefacts. These questions have been answered by analysing the historiography of early archaeological excavations in the Gandharan region and a brief discussion on the importance of provenance research due to the colonial connotation to the early research done on the Gandharan School of Art. Discussions and critical analysis on the importance of material evidence and its analysis through composition, research on the techniques and materials used in the production of the sculptures and by understanding the importance of smaller, more intra- regional artistic identities of the Buddhist Gandharan art as well as finding more scientifically accurate data. There is also emphasis on Gandhara as a region being subject to many political empires and the exchange of cultures, people and trade which led to its development. Some scholarship, supplemented with Buddhist texts were also used to study the actual iconography and symbolism used in Gandharan art and its own development as a school of art. 83 Two case studies were also used to understand the impact of the misconceptions of Gandharan Art in museums and heritage spaces by analysing the Indian Museum, Kolkata and the Gandharan Gallery at the Indian Museum Kolkata including brief archaeological analysis of objects. There is also a study done on the state of management of the Indian Museum, Kolkata and proposed suggestions to foster better heritage practices and adhere to a high standard of cultural heritage protection and education. The research led to certain conclusions some of them being– the ancient symbolisms and presence of early Buddhist art that precedes Gandharan art which has very similar illustrations as that of the latter. Another importance observation was on the importance of supplementing Pali canons and Buddhist texts such as the Jātakas on which the Gandharan School of Art and every Buddhist art is created as it is ritualistic in function. Data derived from material and technological analysis of the Gandharan objects yielded useful. The extent of Hellenistic influence was also challenged in the research as well. Lastly, the protection and representation of cultural heritage in our case studies of the Indian Museum gave us insight into one of the earliest museums that houses Gandharan objects and a set of propositions to improve heritage management practices.Show less
The World Heritage Site of Aksum represents one of Late Antiquity’s most impressive civilizations. Yet, the archaeological materials representing Africa's impressive ancient civilization are...Show moreThe World Heritage Site of Aksum represents one of Late Antiquity’s most impressive civilizations. Yet, the archaeological materials representing Africa's impressive ancient civilization are scattered across museums worldwide, with inadequate categorization, documentation, and ongoing research. Furthermore, the management of the Aksum World Heritage Site has consistently fallen short, as highlighted by both archaeological and ICOMOS reports. Its issues are fundamental and all-encompassing, ranging from urban encroachment and illicit excavating, to severe flood risks and destabilization of the site's iconic monuments. Additionally, political instability in Ethiopia has further hindered the preservation and recognition of Aksum's archaeological significance. This thesis aims to address these challenges by contributing to the study of Aksumite archaeology and proposing strategies to increase public awareness of the threatened Aksumite heritage. Firstly, this thesis endeavors to create a comprehensive overview of current historical, archaeological knowledge on ancient Aksum and its often overlooked Aksumite material collections, which have been dispersed due to Ethiopia's colonial history. By gathering and organizing this dispersed knowledge, the thesis seeks to shed light on the impressive materiality of ancient Aksum. Building on these findings, the research proposes a strategy to generate public outreach for Aksumite heritage by harnessing innovative digital technologies. By thoroughly researching the use of digital platforms, immersive experiences, and interactive tools, this thesis seeks to bridge the gap between the scattered material collections and the global heritage community, by aiming to make the Aksumite heritage more visible, accessible and interactive. By comprehensively addressing the issues of neglect, mismanagement, and lack of integration into global historical narratives, while simultaneously proposing practically applicable strategies towards effective heritage outreach, this research strives to revitalize the recognition and preservation of the Aksumite heritage. The thesis underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect and showcase the Aksumite heritage before it remains forever hidden from modern science.Show less
This thesis examines the ongoing division between nature and culture in international heritage management. Despite efforts to integrate both aspects, the division persists and is often reinforced...Show moreThis thesis examines the ongoing division between nature and culture in international heritage management. Despite efforts to integrate both aspects, the division persists and is often reinforced by international heritage processes and categorisations, historically established, and promoted by organisations like UNESCO, which contributes to a disconnect between local, national, and international processes, frequently marginalising local communities. Through a multidisciplinary approach this thesis examines the impact of World Heritage listings that incorporate both natural and cultural criteria, using the case study of Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) in the Indian state of Sikkim. Inscribed as India’s first mixed natural and cultural World Heritage Site in 2016, the KNP boasts a remarkable range of environments, resulting in exceptional biodiversity. Additionally, the landscape holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for local communities such as the Lepcha, and international Buddhist communities, who consider it a sacred hidden land. These relationships have established unique customs, worldviews, material culture, and traditional knowledge. In this context, natural and cultural heritage are intricately interconnected, providing an opportunity to explore whether mixed listings can transcend the traditional Western dichotomy of nature versus culture and enable more integrated heritage management.Show less
There is increasing recognition in academia that the colonial legacy can have untold psychological consequences. Yet, the extent of these consequences and their absolute reality has not been fully...Show moreThere is increasing recognition in academia that the colonial legacy can have untold psychological consequences. Yet, the extent of these consequences and their absolute reality has not been fully explored, in the context of Saint Lucian cultural and heritage development and grassroots NGOs. Although cultural trauma theory has set out to remedy this, the full potential of cultural trauma theory has not been realised, both in critical heritage studies and in discerning heritage development in Saint Lucia. This research aims to investigate through utilising a decolonial cultural trauma lens, to determine and understand cultural and heritage development, in relation to Saint Lucians' perception and engagement of it. The research focuses on the Folk Research Centre, a Saint Lucian grassroots NGO and their heritage project of Plas Sesenne. To examine why the Folk Research Centre has not been successful in establishing valorisation and cultural consciousness, among the Saint Lucians and why Saint Lucians do not express interest in such developments. Based on the review of key literature on cultural trauma theory and grassroots NGOs in a global context, an ethnographic methodology was adopted to carry out data collection. Key methods such as immersive participant observation and conversational semi-structured interviews were utilised, as well as having a varied sample group. Detailed analysis of the qualitative data demonstrated that to best understand the research problem, is to see the key factors as part of a larger entanglement, one influencing the other. The key findings can be described as; internal, external and historical. The challenges faced by the Folk Research Centre and the apathy experienced by Saint Lucians, point to a shared experience of the postcolonial condition, shaped by the cultural trauma induced by the colonial legacy. The findings indicate how incorporating a decolonial cultural trauma theory into the postcolonial condition, would allow for better discernment of the issues that exist. In a more practical sense, this would provide insight into how the Folk Research Centre could overcome these challenges, in order to establish valorising heritage projects that resonate with the Saint Lucians on a more fundamental level.Show less
Collections constitute a form of remembrance and manifest a need for belonging – they are created to fulfil the need to maintain what is ostensibly forgotten and lost. They represent an effort to...Show moreCollections constitute a form of remembrance and manifest a need for belonging – they are created to fulfil the need to maintain what is ostensibly forgotten and lost. They represent an effort to sustain life and an opposition to death and mortality. What connects archaeology, psychoanalysis and collecting? How did archaeology and psychoanalysis contribute to the development of Freud’s cultural identity and therefore his collection? How can we understand the inherent function of Freud's collection? Freud’s collection of antiquities composes an ever-prominent desire to remember, to travel, to feel – it is a mere act of sustaining what seems dreamlike. The inevitable and apparent attachment of the collector to his objects is the starting point of this research. What defines the act of collecting? This research seeks to investigate the crucial role of inner thoughts, feelings and experiences in the construction of such assemblages and aspires to prove collections as something more than the mere accumulation of meaningless objects and ambiguous creations. Furthermore, it will seek to prove that collections are the outcome of several networks of relationships and events that took place in particular periods of time and influenced their character. The educational and religious background and social, political, –as well as– historical scene at the time of Freud had a considerable effect on his emotional and cognitive development and it is well reflected in his collection. This study will not merely be a comment on the objects that constitute Freud’s collection, but instead aspires to be an excavation - research that will focus on the onsets and nature of the collecting procedure and the hidden emotional and psychological procedures that led Freud to the acquisition of each of those objects. The Deleuzian notion of desire will provide this research with tools to explore the productive process of collecting.Show less
This study critically explores the role atmospheric experience could have for the livability of modernist architectural environment. Atmospheric experience and the wider domain of experiential...Show moreThis study critically explores the role atmospheric experience could have for the livability of modernist architectural environment. Atmospheric experience and the wider domain of experiential engagement with one’s (architectural) living environment have long been omitted from positivist discourse, heritage, and policymaking, despite its fundamental significance for human existence. Atmospheric experience is defined as the affective and embodied experience of a spatial environment which impacts subjective notions of wellbeing, a sense of belonging and meaning making. In turn, subjective wellbeing is a significant dimension of overall livability. In this study, New Phenomenology as defined by Schmitz (1999) and Sørensen (2015) informs the theoretical discussion and subsequent methodology and analysis. This study therefore seeks to contribute to a re-evaluation of phenomenology as a scientific approach with a significant contribution for understanding holistic experiential phenomena as part of human existence. This informs the conceptualization of a preliminary model of embodied significance of heritage (the affective judgement of embodied experience), which is tested on the empirical case of the modernist village Nagele, the Netherlands. Consequently, this study presents a new conceptual avenue for a more holistic approach of the value and significance of heritage, which considers atmospheric experience on equal footing regarding the dominant cultural-historical and socio-economic values of heritage in current policy and practice. Atmospheric experience is operationalized as neighborhood satisfaction in relation to subjective wellbeing. Insights from interviews, archive material and secondary literature demonstrated that the preliminary model could serve as a critical tool to incorporate and translate subjective, inter-subjective and shared experience in discussions regarding heritage value, wellbeing, and livability. It is argued that atmospheric value creates more sensitivity for the holistic nature and complex lifeworlds of dwellers of modernist heritage sites. A model is necessary to transpose phenomenologically informed findings and discussion to the (positivist) paradigm of policy and practice.Show less
This thesis describes and discusses the different archaeological channels that broadcast archaeological content on YouTube. Archaeological channels on the platform provide opportunities for...Show moreThis thesis describes and discusses the different archaeological channels that broadcast archaeological content on YouTube. Archaeological channels on the platform provide opportunities for practicing archaeological science communication and for interaction between archaeologists and the general public. For instance, the scientific YouTube channels Ant Lab and Archaeoduck are great examples of science communication on YouTube. The channel owners, entomologist Smith and archaeologists Duckworth demonstrate that scientific YouTube channels can make science more interesting for the general public and create a closer (and more personal) connection between the viewer and the scientist. Regardless, archaeological channels can also disseminate inaccurate information or incorrectly represent the archaeological discipline. It is therefore important for the archaeological discipline to understand the archaeological content that is currently available on YouTube. On the basis of former research within the field of archaeology and science communication, a data set of 80 different archaeological channels was produced and analysed in this thesis. The content analysis shows an extremely diverse set of archaeological channels that vary in subscriber size, content type, purpose, level of interaction, target audience, content producer, and reliability. Most archaeological channels from the data set provide accurate scientific information and are targeted towards enthusiasts of archaeology. However, apart from a few significant outliers, these scientific archaeological channels remain relatively small in subscriber count in comparison to the other non-scientific archaeological channels. Archaeological channels on YouTube mostly inform or educate their audiences. Yet, a combination of entertaining aspects and (scientific) information is an effective format for reaching larger audiences. Moreover, the content of archaeological channels is produced by individuals, archaeological organisations/institutions, and larger television/documentary networks. Also the level of interaction between channels and viewers varies significantly per channel and suggest that the three main models of science communication (deficit model, dialogue model, and participation model) are each represented on YouTube independently.Show less
Museums are faced with ever shifting societal norms, challenging what role it should play in discussing and shaping those norms. These challenges are expressed by protests, imploring and even...Show moreMuseums are faced with ever shifting societal norms, challenging what role it should play in discussing and shaping those norms. These challenges are expressed by protests, imploring and even demanding museums to make structural change. Much work has been done in Museum Studies to understand how museums are capable of weathering these demands, and even suggest that museums can lead the way in reform. This thesis is an attempt to better understand the reality of how museums respond to these shifts in order to construct a solid foundation that will allow for future research. To do so, four variables have been identified that are consistently present in incidents were the museum is put to the test: The Object, The Museum, The Activist, and The Public. In order to better understand these variables on a theoretical, an interdisciplinary literature review has been carried out. To see how theory translates into practice, five case studies have been chosen wherein the variables are isolated and assessed: the first case study concerns the Afrika Museum in the Netherlands; the second case study concerns the British Museum in England; the third case study concerns the National Museum in Warsaw in Poland; the fourth case study concerns the Louvre in France; the fifth and final case study concerns the Hermitage Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Furthermore, an online survey was distributed focusing solely on The Public, as information from this variable’s point of view was not easily found in academic literature. These methods allowed not only for understanding the variables when isolated, but also how they interacted with one another. Findings indicate that the role of each variables can only be defined in broad strokes, and that they are not always consistent. It is suggested that more research be done especially in the role of The Object, as this variable was the most difficult to clearly define. Furthermore, there is a lack of engagement with The Public that needs to be addressed; more comprehensive methods need to be utilised to bridge the chasm between museums and the audience they are trying to reach.Show less
