Establishing age-at-death is important to forensic and biological anthropologists for identification and demographic analyses, but some degree of error is unavoidable. In human osteoarchaeology,...Show moreEstablishing age-at-death is important to forensic and biological anthropologists for identification and demographic analyses, but some degree of error is unavoidable. In human osteoarchaeology, there is a general assumption that there is worse preservation with increasing age of adult skeletal remains resulting in inaccuracies in paleodemographic reconstructions. This thesis examines skeletal material from the 17th to 19th-century Middenbeemster cemetery in the Netherlands to understand taphonomic processes that cause age and sex biases in the preservation of the adult pelvic girdle. Skeletal age estimation techniques have focused on the iliac auricular surface and pubic symphysis. However, the morphological features that are considered for age estimation methods of the pubic symphyseal surface, iliac auricular surface, and sacrum get destroyed or damaged to the point where the morphological features are no longer or only partially observable, which, in turn, affects the accuracy of these age estimation methods. The degeneration pattern in human remains from individuals aged 50 years and older becomes too unclear to put into smaller age groups, which is further complicated by taphonomic factors. Differences in bone preservation are caused by several taphonomic processes that affect the pelvic girdle of old adults more than young and middle aged adults. The general results show that the pelvic girdle of old adults is less well-preserved than young and middle adults, and that adult female pelvises are less complete than males. This research supports the view that age biases in preservation are more important than sex biases.Show less
The way that we view data as archaeologists is under constant review, especially in the field of human evolution and our processes of adaptation. An example of this is the concern to not take...Show moreThe way that we view data as archaeologists is under constant review, especially in the field of human evolution and our processes of adaptation. An example of this is the concern to not take absence of evidence as evidence of absence. Further to this we are aware in each archaeological situation there is a chance that we may only ever discover a handful of pieces to the puzzle. It is in this current setting that we are becoming increasingly careful of our interpretations of negative evidence and of how preservation levels affect a record and how it is researched. The merits of investigating sites and landscapes that are yet to produce hominin fossils are being acknowledged. In the spirit of taking advantage of this current state of affairs, it is interesting to ask the question what can ‘non-archaeological’ sites or archaeologically “sterile” landscapes (as in those that are yet to produce signals of hominin presence), or more in general, negative evidence - tell us, if anything, about hominin biogeographic range edges? To investigate this, I ask the question could the north-western edge of the Neandertal biogeographic range as we now think we know it, ever have been extended westwards, into Ireland? There is evidence of a Neandertal presence in Wales, at 230kya, while the first recorded human presence in Ireland is at 12,5kya only. The likelihood of a former Neandertal presence in Ireland is investigated here. The question is approached three fold and focuses on 1) the available pathways to Ireland, 2) the possibilities for a hominin presence in terms of the associated environments and 3) the preservation of Pleistocene deposits which might have encased traces of Pleistocene hominin activities. Britain’s human occupation history is discussed in terms of the location of a source population and possible routes to Ireland via the Irish Sea. Environmental reconstructions relay a climate and environment that is clement at times and one that was capable of supporting a range of mid- to large-sized mammals. Following glacial events some species of flora and fauna were able to recolonize the area. Repeated successful colonization by a variety of mammals has led to suggestions that hominins could have colonized the island too. Severe and repeated glacial action however has removed the majority of Pleistocene deposits from Ireland, leaving the record damaged and extremely limited, and such suggestions difficult to test. At first glance the interpretation of the absence of Neandertal traces in Ireland is not a clear cut issue. There is an available source population, a range of species have colonized and recolonized the area and there is an environment that at times is far from harsh. Leaving Neandertal preference or lack of necessity to one side, the evidence as it stands does not give a definitive reason that their range could not have, even briefly, extended westwards into Ireland. The lack of a Neandertal signal could be put down to an issue of tolerances and preferences or to the lack of preserved sediments and research. This study concludes however that the physical barrier of the Irish Sea appears to be the cause of the absence of a Neandertal presence in Ireland, further palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Irish Sea as well as fieldwork need to be undertaken to test this interpretation in the future. This thesis highlights the difficulties of investigating areas with extremely limited evidence and damaged archaeological records but also gives reasons why we should do it anyway.Show less
There is no easy solution to the volatile political situation on the Korean peninsula, but scholars and politicians have been working on a project that could perhaps set the foundation for a better...Show moreThere is no easy solution to the volatile political situation on the Korean peninsula, but scholars and politicians have been working on a project that could perhaps set the foundation for a better understanding between the DPRK and the ROK: the preservation of the Korean DMZ. While the plan to turn the DMZ into a reserve holds political, ecological and economic potential, the manner in which both countries have tried to put it into action has backfired. A lack of communication, understanding and tact has taken a lauded opportunity for positive change and turned it into a matter of conflict. If anything is to be gained in the DMZ, and if further damage to political relations is to be prevented, it is crucial to re-examine and reconsider the strategies of the DPRK, the ROK, and UNESCO in regards to the preservation of the DMZ.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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Gaining insight into the origins and nature of fire use in the Palaeolithic has important implications for the understanding of various aspects of hominin behaviour and cognition. Major topics...Show moreGaining insight into the origins and nature of fire use in the Palaeolithic has important implications for the understanding of various aspects of hominin behaviour and cognition. Major topics within the field of fire research include: the timing of the first (controlled) use of fire, fuel use (bone vs. wood) and its relation to different tasks and adaptive strategies, pyrotechnology (i.e. fire use as a tool), and cooking. Within the study of fire use in the Palaeolithic there is a strong reliance on patterns of presence and absence of fire indicators. Therefore, understanding the way in which fire traces are affected by taphonomy and being able to correctly identify them in the Palaeolithic record are important prerequisites for valid interpretations of hominin fire-related behaviour and cognition. While most other post-depositional processes are nowadays taken into account, diagenesis (i.e. chemical processes) is often still overlooked. This is unfortunate since a recent study by Braadbaart et al. (2009) indicated that exposure to alkaline conditions (pH values >7) can severely affect the preservation potential and temperature signal of charcoal in the archaeological record. This will affect interpretations based on patterns of fire indicators, as well as interpretations linking temperatures to specific uses of fire. This thesis aims to contribute to the study of fire use in the Palaeolithic by exploring the influence of pH on the preservation potential and temperature signal of charred bone and wood. Bone and wood samples were charred to a range of temperatures (unheated, 190º, 250º, 340º, 600ºC), and exposed to pH solutions representing acidic (pH 3), neutral (pH 7) and alkaline (pH 12) conditions. The samples were incubated for a period of approximately six months. After incubation, the samples were analysed to determine chemical composition (using XRF and TGA), temperature signal (using TGA and reflectance analysis), and mass loss. Results were compared to existing data on unexposed charred bone and wood. This study indicated that charred bone and wood are affected by all pH values, resulting in mass loss, fragmentation, and colour and consistence changes. Temperature inferences for charred bone, based on TGA and/or colour, were deemed unreliable. Temperature inferences for charred wood, based on reflectance analysis, were only affected under alkaline conditions. Based on these results, it is suggested that more attention should be paid to the influence of pH on the preservation potential of fire remains, and that pH should be recognised as a legitimate cause for absence of evidence of fire use.Show less
In human osteoarchaeology there has been discussion if there is a difference in preservation between adults and subadults and what this difference is caused by. To add to this discussion, this...Show moreIn human osteoarchaeology there has been discussion if there is a difference in preservation between adults and subadults and what this difference is caused by. To add to this discussion, this thesis examines material from the 17th to 19th century cemetery Middenbeemster. Individuals with ages from before birth to over 50 years were divided into seven age groups. The skeleton was examined for traces of damage caused by external factors on the bones, their completeness and weathering. The long bones were examined for all these factors as well. The results showed that subadults are less complete than adults. This difference is caused by fetal, perinate, and infant remains, that differ significantly from all other age groups in almost all variables. There is no difference in preservation between old adults, and the other age groups. Further it was found that the shaft of long bones is better preserved than the epiphyses. This effect exists in all age groups, but is much stronger in individuals under two years of age. These differences are caused by the intrinsic properties of the bone of subadults under the age of two and not by excavation damage or other external influences. Intrinsic bone properties that cause the remains of children under two to be less well preserved are the larger surface-to-volume ratio of small bones and their incomplete fusion. Also, the higher porosity and lower percentage of hydroxyapatite play a role. This research supports the view that subadults are not as well preserved as adults, and that especially the remains of children under two years are poorly preserved. Also, it seems that in the long bones of children under two, degradation processes have a stronger effect than in older individuals. However, contrary to previous research old adults were not significantly more poorly preserved than the other age groups. In order to improve the recovery of children under two years old, excavations where such remains can be expected should be conducted more carefully. Where entire skeletons have disappeared, extra use should be made of the archaeological evidence other than bones, that has been preserved.Show less
The purpose of this research is to identify the threats to archaeological monuments on privately owned land in Ireland, i.e. why and how monuments are being damaged or destroyed, and to find...Show moreThe purpose of this research is to identify the threats to archaeological monuments on privately owned land in Ireland, i.e. why and how monuments are being damaged or destroyed, and to find solutions to this problem that will satisfy the needs of both archaeologists and landowners alike. The methods used to address these issues include a remote survey of archaeological monuments in a research area in Co. Clare, qualitative interviews with landowners, IFA representatives and an archaeologist and a review of similar surveys on the preservation of monuments in Ireland, England and Northern Ireland. The results of all of the methods used in this research identified earthwork monuments, and especially ringforts, as the monuments that have been damaged the most on privately owned land in Ireland. To effectively prevent future damage from being caused to monuments on privately owned land, several solutions will need to be implemented so that they can be made to work in cooperation with each other. Updating the information on the levels of preservation of all monuments and continued monitoring of monuments will give a clear picture of what the current situation is today and any changes to the situation in the future. The issue needs to be fully publicised using all media to reach a maximum number of people. Education initiatives also need to be fully publicised to reach a maximum number of landowners. Moreover, solutions need not only to encourage farmers to preserve archaeological monuments, but to also make it worth their while and to respect their position as a major stakeholder in the Irish landscape.Show less
