This research delves into the preservation of wooden furniture excavated from Hercu- laneum, employing experimental archaeol- ogy. The primary goal is to comprehend the sequence of events leading...Show moreThis research delves into the preservation of wooden furniture excavated from Hercu- laneum, employing experimental archaeol- ogy. The primary goal is to comprehend the sequence of events leading to the survival of these artefacts. Central to this study is the research question of how experimen- tal archaeology can elucidate the lifespan and events surrounding archaeological ar- tefacts, particularly the wooden Roman furniture unearthed from Herculaneum. To address this question, the study delves into sub-questions related to the impact of the Vesuvius eruption on Herculaneum, the rep- lication of charring conditions, and the ef- fects of charring on wooden materials. Herculaneum faced pyroclastic surges and flows during the eruption, resulting in a 20-metre layer of ash and debris that pre- served wooden artefacts by rapidly sub- merging and preventing burning through oxygen deprivation. Samples were made in accordance with the wood and toolmarks found on the original artefacts, using ancient woodworking tools and two types of wood, oak and silver fir. Two charring methods, hot-ash and kiln charring, were designed and tested on the samples. Results indicate that hot-ash charring yields less blackening and carbonization com- pared to kiln charring with variations in vol- ume and weight loss between oak and silver fir samples. Notably, the combined process of hot-ash and kiln charring showed com- parable or reduced volume and weight loss compared to the sole kiln process, sug- gesting effective preservation. However, in terms of the traceability of tool marks ap- plied to the samples, no notable differences were found. All tested methods preserved the details of the samples after charring when performed correctly. Emphasising the need for improved meth- ods and tools to refine experiments, the research concludes that, despite challeng- es in method control in hot-ash firing, the combined charring method may result in the best preservation of the artefacts. With minor improvements, this method could be used to produce samples for experimental trials and in extent to gain a better under- standing of the Herculaneum furniture and how Roman carpenters made them.Show less
The thesis discusses the available historical and archaeological evidence regarding the Severan campaigns between 208-211 and its preceding preparations in both England and Scotland.
This thesis is based on the hypothesis that women were present in Roman forts during the time that the Dutch limes was functioning as a border of the Roman Empire. Many castella were built along...Show moreThis thesis is based on the hypothesis that women were present in Roman forts during the time that the Dutch limes was functioning as a border of the Roman Empire. Many castella were built along the limes to help regulate and keep watch over the transport via the Rhine. One of these castella was Albaniana, located at present time Alphen aan den Rijn. This castellum has been well documented through excavations and archaeological material. However, the view of Roman forts and its inhabitants has been aged and is no longer correct. In the past, Roman forts have been thought of as exclusively male, with soldiers and officers of the Roman army occupying them. Nevertheless, in several cases it has been proven through the archaeological record that women were in fact present within these military communities, and not just as visitors. The extent of their presence can be seen within multiple finds categories. To determine whether or not it is possible to state that women were in fact present at castellum Albaniana, the metal finds found by metal detector in the soil that was dug up from the Rhine riverbed were analysed and compared with earlier research completed in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Allison 2006; Furger 1990). First the metal finds from the landfill were analysed by category, separating personal objects from domestic objects. Features such as extensive decoration or female marks were observed closely, to see whether an object could be associated to female dress or adornment. When possible, finds were sorted into tables to compare sizes. Smaller sizes of rings and brooches for example might point to female possession as well. Next, the amount of material associated with female possession in total was analysed and through this information the research questions were answered, showing that women and perhaps even children were present in the fort of Alphen aan den Rijn.Show less
This thesis presents a spatial analysis of insula V ii in Roman Ostia, the principal harbour city of Imperial Rome. The Severan and final phase of occupation of the insula are compared with each...Show moreThis thesis presents a spatial analysis of insula V ii in Roman Ostia, the principal harbour city of Imperial Rome. The Severan and final phase of occupation of the insula are compared with each other to gain a better understanding of the architectural and spatial changes that took place between the Severan phase, and the final occupation of the insula. This thesis seeks to answer the following question: How did the spatial organisation of insula V ii change between the Severan phase and the final phase? In order to answer this question, space syntax methods are used. By comparing the integration (real relative asymmetry) and control values of the units in the buildings between the two phases, an estimate can be given of the amount of privacy and the importance of the rooms. This thesis argues that, between the Severan and the final phase, a shift towards more privacy in the city block occured.Show less
A thesis that looks into the position, the function and the look of private and public nymphaea throughout the ancient Roman city of Ostia. The research presented in this this thesis is primarily...Show moreA thesis that looks into the position, the function and the look of private and public nymphaea throughout the ancient Roman city of Ostia. The research presented in this this thesis is primarily based on a new paradigm in the social sciences called ‘mobilities’ and the method of space syntax.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 hairstyles of the empresses of the Roman Empire, like Julia Domna and Sabina Tranquillina, are distinctive for every empress. Sometimes the changes are subtle but sometimes they are also major....Show moreThe hairstyles of the empresses of the Roman Empire, like Julia Domna and Sabina Tranquillina, are distinctive for every empress. Sometimes the changes are subtle but sometimes they are also major. Empresses were known for these hairstyles and influenced the provinces with them. The coins that were distributed throughout the empire had enough details on them to reproduce these hairstyles. That these hairstyles were actually reproduced is visible on the tombstones from Britain. Not all hairstyles are distinctive on a tombstone, either because of the state of the tombstone or because the hair was styled at the back of the head which is not visible on a tombstone. The hairstyles that are distinctive on tombstones are very well visible and can actually add towards dating the tombstone more precisely. Hairpins were not depicted on either the sculptures of the empresses or on the tombstones but it is known from sources from other regions that they were used abundantly. Hairpins are found in different amounts on every site. Military sites along Hadrian’s Wall do not have as many hairpins as civilian based sites. An exception is South Shields, but this is a military site that was not actually along Hadrian’s Wall. From the civilian based sites we have learned that hairpins were found everywhere. A great place to find hairpins is at baths, this is represented by the finds from Caerleon and Wroxeter. One important conclusion about the hairpins is that the materials vary more among the later dated pins than they do among the earlier dated pins. Other finds that have to do with hairstyles are hair, hairpieces and hairnets, which can also be found but are not as common as hairpins. There has been an amazing find of a bun with hairpins in York but this is an extraordinary find. Other regions have yielded more examples but unfortunately not yet in Britain. There is one find from Britain of an elaborate decorated headband which is also extraordinary. Changes in hairstyles and fashion are visible in the archaeological record through the remains that are left of these hairstyles and depictions.Show less
This thesis investigated the spatial organisation and functional patterning of the rooms of the Oppian pavilion of the Domus Aurea, which was built by Emperor Nero in AD 60-68. The study uses a...Show moreThis thesis investigated the spatial organisation and functional patterning of the rooms of the Oppian pavilion of the Domus Aurea, which was built by Emperor Nero in AD 60-68. The study uses a combination of an analysis of the decorative programme of the Domus as published by Meyboom and Moormann in ‘Le Decorazioni Dipinte e Marmoree Della Domus Aurea di Nerone a Roma’ (2013), and an analysis of the spatial organisation of the building using Space Syntax techniques. The Oppian pavilion has never been subject to a formal spatial analysis prior to this thesis. The new perspective the analyses offer on the pavilion allows to shed new light on an area until now hardly explored. The results achieved by this thesis suggest that the Oppian pavilion was very unlikely to have had residential functions. Concluding from the Visibility Graph Analyses performed, most of the rooms were visually highly integrated, presuming rather a public function. At least two big dining rooms were present: rooms 40 and 128. The spatial and decorative characteristics of these rooms complement and amplify each other. The two rooms, moreover, were included in a pattern of visibility lines, called an ‘enfilade’. The enfilade pattern emerged from room 45a and continued on to the eastern end of corridor 92, from there it continued its way to room 132, and from room 132 it went through the Pentagonal Courtyard garden (no. 80a) and the porticoed gallery (no. 21), to end in room 9. A noticeable fact is that the enfilade pattern is cut off where the ‘Second Pentagonal Court’ is thought to have started. Hence it is very likely that th e ‘Second Court’ had a function that was entirely different from that of the rest of the Oppian pavilion. The spatial analysis in this thesis was applied from the perspective of the entrances of the pavilion only. Future investigations of the Domus which focus on all individual rooms as the root nodes for convex spatial studies could well contribute to gaining even more new insights into the spatial organisation of the pavilion.Show less
In this thesis, 19 strigils found on the Kops-Plateau in Nijmegen will be described and analyzed. A catalogue of the finds and distribution maps are to be found in the file. The strigils are...Show moreIn this thesis, 19 strigils found on the Kops-Plateau in Nijmegen will be described and analyzed. A catalogue of the finds and distribution maps are to be found in the file. The strigils are analized by means of looking at their context, distribution, and physical characteristics. A general introduction into the artefact is given and attention is paid to current research questions and methods in using this group of material.Show less
Een van de klassen aardewerk die veelvuldig bij archeologisch onderzoek in het Middellandse Zeegied wordt aangetroffen is African Red Slip Ware (ARSW). Dit wijdsverspreide Tunesische tafelwaar kan...Show moreEen van de klassen aardewerk die veelvuldig bij archeologisch onderzoek in het Middellandse Zeegied wordt aangetroffen is African Red Slip Ware (ARSW). Dit wijdsverspreide Tunesische tafelwaar kan belangrijke inzichten verschaffen in de lokale(Laat-)Romeinse economie, terwijl juist deze laatste fase van distributie vrijwel niet wordt onderzocht. Deze studie naar de distributie van ARSW in Boeotië laat het potentieel zien van onderzoek naar de verspreiding van dit aardewerk op een lokale en regionale schaal. Naast een indicatie voor status en economische activiteit blijkt het aardewerk ook te kunnen worden gebruikt om het karakter van verschillende sites aan te duiden. De relatief strikte dateringen van verschillende vormen uit Hayes zijn typo-chronologie maken het mogelijk om naast de ruimtelijke distributie ook de chronologische ontwikkeling van de distributie van het aardewerk in verschillende regio's te onderzoeken. Dit resulteert in een aantal parallelle (chronologische/ruimtelijke) ontwikkeling, maar vooral in regionale verschillen die kenmerkend zijn voor de Laat-Romeinse periode in Griekenland.Show less
In deze scriptie staat de volgende hoofdvraag centraal: Wat zijn de overeenkomsten en verschillen tussen het paardentuig dat is aangetroffen op de Romeinse vindplaats te Naaldwijk en de Romeinse...Show moreIn deze scriptie staat de volgende hoofdvraag centraal: Wat zijn de overeenkomsten en verschillen tussen het paardentuig dat is aangetroffen op de Romeinse vindplaats te Naaldwijk en de Romeinse vindplaats aan de Scheveningseweg in Den Haag? In de Romeinse periode was het landschap van West-Nederland dynamisch. Bewoning was in de hooggelegen gebieden gelegen. In de hooggelegen gebieden en de duinen zijn de omstandigheden voor de conservering van het paardentuig niet ideaal. De vindplaats in Naaldwijk was gelegen op een haakwal. Er is in 2004, 2007 en 2008 opgegraven. Er zijn zes bewoningsfasen te onderscheiden. Daaruit blijkt dat het om een ruraal inheemse nederzetting gaat. In de 6e bewoningsfase werd er Romeins materiaal uit de omgeving hergebruikt. De vindplaats aan de Scheveningseweg was gelegen op een strandwal. Er is van 1984 tot 1987 vlakdekkend opgegraven. Er zijn twee bewoningsfasen te onderscheiden. De 1e fase betreft het een boerenerf. In de 2e fase gaat het om een militaire vicus. Romeins paardentuig kan in militaire of civiele context zijn gebruikt. In de typochronologie is het paardentuig op basis van de typochronologie van Nicolay beschreven. Aan de hand van de archeologische context waarin het materiaal is gevonden kan worden bepaald hoe het paardentuig is gebruikt. In Naaldwijk zijn 21 stuks paardentuig aangetroffen, aan de Scheveningseweg dertien stuks paardentuig. Aan de Scheveningseweg is relatief gezien de hoeveelheid paardentuig veel hoger. Ook is de samenstelling is anders dan in Naaldwijk. Het paardentuig uit Naaldwijk is iets breder gedateerd. Deze duidelijke verschillen zijn te verklaren door de militaire context van de Scheveningseweg enerzijds en de civiele context van Naaldwijk.Show less
