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
De vondsten uit Wijchen-Berendonk behoren tot de zogenaamde 'werkvoorraad' van het Odyssee-programma. Deze werkvoorraad bestaat uit inventarisaties van oude (nood) opgravingen die nooit zijn...Show moreDe vondsten uit Wijchen-Berendonk behoren tot de zogenaamde 'werkvoorraad' van het Odyssee-programma. Deze werkvoorraad bestaat uit inventarisaties van oude (nood) opgravingen die nooit zijn uitgewerkt. Men heeft - verspreid over verschillende opgravingscampagnes - voor 4 jaar opgegraven tussen de periode van 1976-1980. Tijdens het aanleggen van enkele proefputten stuitten men al op enkele stukken vuursteen die destijds werden aangemerkt als 'Vlaardingencultuur'. Deze scriptie is met name gericht op het beantwoorden van enkele basale vragen als: waaruit bestaat het vuursteen en over welke cultuurgroepen/perioden spreken we? Uit het onderzoek bleek dat er met name uitgangsmatriaal, productiemateriaal en diverse werktuigen zijn gevonden. Verder bleek met zekerheid dat er Neolitisch materiaal aanwezig is maar er twijfel bestaat of er ook Mesolitisch en/of Bronstijd materiaal aanwezig voorkomt. Duidelijke bewoningspsoren - op basis van het onderzoek naar vuursteen - ontbreken voor zowel het Mesolithicum als het Neolithicum.Show less
