In this research, I wanted to personally test whether Rots (2010) extensive experimental research could aid my interpretation of hafting traces on a sample of artefacts from several Vlaardingen...Show moreIn this research, I wanted to personally test whether Rots (2010) extensive experimental research could aid my interpretation of hafting traces on a sample of artefacts from several Vlaardingen Group sites (Leidschendam, Voorschoten and Vlaardingen) (3400-2900 BC). This sample is particularly interesting to study, because it allows me to test the assumption that these small, flint scrapers must have been used hafted, because of their small size. Whilst testing a methodology against a seemingly common-sense assumption, the wider implications of hafting evidence for the interpretation of settlement function have not been forgotten. Unfortunately, certain processes, common in the life of an archaeological scraper, such as post depositional surface modification (PDSM) and resharpening episodes, have obscured the patterns of microwear traces which were more obvious on Rots’ experimental tools. My own experiments with replica hafted tools did, to some extent, elucidate the kinds of hafting traces that might occur on such tools, but for the scrapers from Leidschendam, PDSM often rendered the scrapers uninterpretable. Nevertheless, traces which could be interpreted as hafting traces were observed on some of these small scrapers! Microwear polishes suggesting at least two different haft materials, as well as some hafting-related edge damage and even spots of potential adhesive residues were recorded. This suggested at least 14 out 46 may have been hafted. For a few scrapers, the pattern of microwear traces was even sufficient to suggest a more detailed interpretation of the hafting arrangement. Furthermore, a couple of potential, hafting-related patterns emerged with differences in the incidence of hafting on different sites, and hafted scrapers having a subtly different morphology to non-hafted scrapers. The implications of these insights are then explored in the relation to the debate about the permanency of settlement at certain Vlaardingen sites. Although further hafting wear analysis of material from other Vlaardingen sites would also be useful in this discussion. Ultimately, the methodology proposed by Rots is found to be less applicable to the material studied than I had hoped and extra challenges for interpreting heavily retouched, archaeological tools are outlined.Show less
In this thesis I have applied 2 theoretical frameworks to the Vlaardingen Culture: the material engagement theory and the notion of a Neolithic mind-set. The Vlaardingen Culture is an...Show moreIn this thesis I have applied 2 theoretical frameworks to the Vlaardingen Culture: the material engagement theory and the notion of a Neolithic mind-set. The Vlaardingen Culture is an archaeological culture that takes part in the Neolithisation process of the Netherlands, which can be summarized as the transformation into the Neolithic period. I have chosen to combine the two mentioned theoretical frameworks in order to analyse the different world-views of the Mesolithic and the Neolithic. The Vlaardingen period (3400-2500 BCE) is considered to be an intermediate phase in the Neolithisation period, where people are neither fully Mesolithic or Neolithic. This group is characterized by the fact that their food economy and their degree sedentism share traits of a Mesolithic and a Neolithic way of life.Show less
In this thesis the flint assemblage of the Vlaardingen site Wateringse Binnentuinen is analysed with a special focus on scrapers. Compared to other Vlaardingen sites, a striking amount of scrapers...Show moreIn this thesis the flint assemblage of the Vlaardingen site Wateringse Binnentuinen is analysed with a special focus on scrapers. Compared to other Vlaardingen sites, a striking amount of scrapers was found at WBT. To see if this could have a functional reason the scrapers were divided in multiple typological groups and their use-life was researched. During the technological and use-wear analysis it became clear that the Vlaardingen people at this site were very opportunistic in the production of flint artefacts. However even though the number of scrapers is high at this site, the use-wear analysis shows that almost all scrapers were used for scraping hide. But not all the hide traces were the same; besides the presence of dry and fresh hide four different groups of hide traces were also recognised. Since it was not clear what could have caused the development of these hide wear traces, experiments were designed and conducted to see if the edge angle and the surface where scraping was conducted could explain these differences. Unfortunately the wear traces on the experiments were not developed enough to provide an explanation. When combining the results of the use-life study with the permanent character of the settlement one can likely speak of a site with a very specialised tradeShow less
