This thesis concerns the importance of replication studies in agent-based modelling, specifically in the field of archaeology. As a case study, the MERCURY model by Brughmans and Poblome is...Show moreThis thesis concerns the importance of replication studies in agent-based modelling, specifically in the field of archaeology. As a case study, the MERCURY model by Brughmans and Poblome is replicated. In the first chapter, a background is given to ABM in general, as well as to replication and its importance and scarcity. Replication allows us to confirm the findings of existing ABM models, or reject them. The second chapter gives an abstract of Brughmans and Poblome’s research. It includes the archaeological background to their research, a precise description of the MERCURY model and a summary of Brughmans and Poblome’s conclusions. In chapter three, the process of replicating MERCURY is explained. Each version of the replication is described in great detail. This final version is statistically compared to the original model. The replication was found to be, for the most part, statistically equivalent to the original. The source of the despondencies between the various versions of the replication and the original model were due to inaccuracies in the description of the model as well as due to my own coding mistakes. Chapter four includes a brief discussion of existing criticism of the MERCURY model, as well as my own critiques. These critiques are mostly concern the details of the model and the way the authors interpreted their data. Additional experiments are performed to complement the experiments in the original study. I conclude that some of the issues I identify could weaken the original authors’ conclusions. The relation of my replication of MERCURY to other replication studies is discussed in chapter five. The final chapter my research questions are answered. I also shortly discuss how my experiences with replication could help future researches who want to publish agent-based models or replication studies.Show less
This thesis assesses the suitability of the video game medium in archaeological public outreach. It does so by examining the blockbuster game Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Ubisoft 2017), gauging its...Show moreThis thesis assesses the suitability of the video game medium in archaeological public outreach. It does so by examining the blockbuster game Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Ubisoft 2017), gauging its accuracy through a comparative archaeological study between the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara and its virtual reconstruction in the game. Further case studies display designer choices and their relation to the representation of archaeology in the game. Other than examining the accuracy of the virtual reconstruction of the complex, the information given about it in the Discovery Tour mode is also analysed. A survey conducted amongst gamers that have played Assassin’s Creed: Origins is meant to give insight in the level of interest in the archaeology of the game and the consumers’ perception of that archaeology. A different survey, conducted amongst academics of the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, evaluates the opinion of the academic community on using the gaming medium in public outreach, along with their view on the accurate representation of archaeology in the game. Additionally, an assessment is made of the ability of an entertainment-based blockbuster game to transfer knowledge. The core aspects of the medium, such as immersion and interaction, are shown to promote effortless learning and absorption of information as a byproduct of having fun playing the game. This thesis therefore deems the medium suitable for the transfer of knowledge to the public. The gamers survey results do not prove that specific information is retained, but it shows that a general image of Ptolemaic Egypt has been gained along with increased interest in its archaeology. The academics survey results display general agreement that the game provides a rather accurate rendition of Ptolemaic Egypt and nearly all participants believe the medium should be used in public outreach. From the comparative study and the analysis of the Discovery Tour, it is deduced that the virtual reconstruction of the Step Pyramid complex is indeed very accurate. The other case studies show that designer choices could disturb historical and archaeological accuracy, but that this does not necessarily interfere with the representation of archaeology. Thus, this thesis advises the archaeological academic community to invest in the gaming medium and approach game developers about incorporating archaeologists in the design process from the very start of the developing process.Show less
Research master thesis | Asian Studies (research) (MA)
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This thesis investigates how the cities Yuan Shangdu, Dadu and Jining compare when looking at their locations, layouts, trading positions, and distribution of material objects that were retrieved...Show moreThis thesis investigates how the cities Yuan Shangdu, Dadu and Jining compare when looking at their locations, layouts, trading positions, and distribution of material objects that were retrieved at archaeological excavations. The three case studies on the three cities portray their significance during the Yuan dynasty, on cultural, economic and political level. The thesis compares two capital cities of the Yuan dynasty and one hinterland city. The case studies structurally compare the layouts, which are all three very different from each other. Material objects that were excavated at the archaeological sites of Shangdu and Jining, imply that Shangdu was not so much a trading city but rather served the Yuan court, whereas Jining was a trading city in the hinterlands of the Yuan where many ceramics and other material objects were excavated. Dadu on the other hand, played an important role on both imperial political as trading levels.Show less
Barrow landscapes appeared in the third and second millennia BC throughout North-Western Europe; these first barrows were constructed by people of the Corded Ware culture and placed in alignments....Show moreBarrow landscapes appeared in the third and second millennia BC throughout North-Western Europe; these first barrows were constructed by people of the Corded Ware culture and placed in alignments. This thesis is an interregional comparative study, to determine whether there is a pattern in the time-depths of the burial alignments of Trehuse-Sjørup-Dollerup in Denmark, Angelso-Emmerhout in The Netherlands and Lilla Beddinge in Sweden. The analysis is conducted by means of a literature study and the application of typochronologies. In recent research, the Corded Ware ‘culture’ is still seen as a widespread, unified social phenomenon that is the result of migration, but more emphasis is placed on the regional variability of this phenomenon. Regional variability is also what we see in the three case-studies; in fact, perhaps one may better speak of ‘local variability’, as each case-study reveals a remarkable variety even within one alignment. Even though there do seem to be interregionally shared traits, these are expressed in local practices. Despite the limitations of establishing a time-depth by means of typochronologies, all three alignments reveal a long use-life; even in the Bronze and Iron Ages, prehistoric people buried their dead here. Temporality seems to have been an important aspect of the ‘Corded Ware’ burial landscape.Show less
Iron Age cremation graveyards are a relatively rare phenomenon in the Netherlands and there is a general lack of understanding of demographic data based on osteological analyses of these graveyards...Show moreIron Age cremation graveyards are a relatively rare phenomenon in the Netherlands and there is a general lack of understanding of demographic data based on osteological analyses of these graveyards. Cremation analysis of these graveyards is not done on a consistent basis and osteological information is generally lacking. In the research, the Middle to Late Iron Age graveyard from Panningen-Loo (Netherlands) has been analysed and compared to other graveyard within the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt (MDS) region in the southern Netherlands. Furthermore, a GIS-analysis has been carried out to analyse locations of graves, grave types and demographics within the graveyard. The osteological analysis was carried out using standard macroscopic methods of analysis for cremated remains. With the help of a literature study and a GIS-analysis, comparisons in and between graveyards have been made. Several statistical calculations were ran to test the significance of weight and fragmentation between demographics and grave types. In total, 31 graves were found which contained 33 individuals. Grave types following the scheme of Hiddink (2003) were proposed: sixteen graves were of type A. Ten were of type B. Seven graves were of type C. The grave types also differed in other terms: weight, fragmentation and location were different for the proposed grave types. The weight of the graves varied between 0,1 to 3241 grams, with an average of 611 grams. The graveyard contained three adult females, three possible females, two indeterminate adults, one possible male, five adult males and six subadults. Fragmentation of the remains was high. Four individuals were found with no or marginal amounts of cranial fragments. In comparison to other graveyards within the MDS area, several graveyards match Panningen-Loo in multiple osteological and archaeological aspects. Panningen Stokx, Weert Laarveld and Weert Molenakkerdreef are all highly matching in most aspects. By carrying out this study, progress had been made in aiding the understanding of Iron Age graveyards and indicating the usefulness of a complete osteological analysis of cremated remains.Show less
The archaeological data set of 106 water facilities recovered in Amersfoort, allows for the reconstruction of the water supply within the town through the centuries. Aside from this available...Show moreThe archaeological data set of 106 water facilities recovered in Amersfoort, allows for the reconstruction of the water supply within the town through the centuries. Aside from this available archaeological data set, any historical information that could be found, has also been used. This historical data includes information about common wells and surface water use in Amersfoort, but also information about the status of water in medieval society and the role of water in medieval medicine. As further background the most studied developments in Europe are also discussed. Amersfoort counts several types of wells (tree lined, peat lined, barrel lined, and brick lined), as well as numerous indications of the use of surface water (water lifting implements along canals, archaeologically recovered water pipes, and the strict regulations on water pollution). Putting all this together we were able to compare the water supply in Amersfoort with the water supply in Haarlem and Zutphen. The very high per capita rate of wells in Amersfoort, but especially Zutphen, compared to Haarlem is striking. Six potential influencing factors were introduced - factors that might have caused this discrepancy. They are: distance to surface water; quality of surface water; ease of exploitation for alternative water sources (ground or rain water); degree of organisation (here: the existence of public or shared facilities); water needs (household or industrial use); personal finances. Based on the results so far, it seems that the distance to surface water and the quality of surface water are the strongest predictors for the amount of water facilities. Haarlem has the most surface water within easy reach, Zutphen the least. Amersfoort has less water within easy reach than Haarlem, but more than Zutphen. This seems to align with the results, Haarlem has the least facilities per capita, while Zutphen has by far the most. On an even wider scale, there appear to be more similarities between the developments in the Netherlands and the rest of Northern Europe than initially assumed. The strong influence of brewers on the water supply, in the form of protection measures meant to protect their trade or even complete mains systems or water barges organised for, and by, the brewers. It seems also that the use of surface water was a very widespread practice, especially large scale water consumers appear to have defaulted towards surface water as their preferred water source. Surface water is not the safest water source, but concerns about pollution where only present when the pollution became a noticeable nuisance. This assumption is based on the way water quality was assessed in the period before the discovery of bacteria. This method of quality assessment is based on the smell, taste, and colour of the water, if these characteristics are found to be in order, the water is viewed as safe.Show less
This thesis studies theatrical elements in museums, particularly exploring the way performances and performative techniques are incorporated in three museum types: anthropological, archaeological...Show moreThis thesis studies theatrical elements in museums, particularly exploring the way performances and performative techniques are incorporated in three museum types: anthropological, archaeological and contemporary art. It aims to disclose the role and function of performative means within them and examine whether and in what ways performative means could foster museum’s social relevance. Could they for instance, assist each of these museum types in meeting the particular demands that arise regarding its current social mission? Subsequently, the differences and similarities between the performances and the perfomative methods used in anthropological, archaeological and contemporary art museums are pointed out and the inter-influences among them are explored. Several publications are reviewed in order to delineate museum’s social role over the years emphasizing its educational mission. Also, a theoretical framework concerning performance’s relationship with society is given and the integration of museum and theatre is outlined focusing on the emergence of museum theatre. An exploration of the official websites, the brochures and public programmes of various museums worldwide provides information about the performative means used and the purposes they tend to serve. In the case of the performative spaces in anthropology museums the emphasis is put on Nuno Porto’s concept of ‘ethnographic installation’. The particular demands regarding the role and mission of each of the three museum types in present-day society are explored in reference to the relevant literature. Moreover, three cases-studies are examined in the context of this thesis: the Mix- Max Brazil exhibition in Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam -where I did my internship-, the staging of the theatrical play ‘Hyllos’ in National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden (RMO) by the group ‘Veenfabriek, and Aernout Mik’s retrospective, ‘Communitas, in Stedelijk in Amsterdam, where I participated as a performer. The special case of Tropenmuseum Junior is explored as an anthropological museum integrating museum and theatre in its programmes and space. Its philosophy and guiding principles are outlined and the way such a concept is organized and set up is explored revealing performative means’ potentials within museums. Additionally, the educational efficacy of its method is examined. In ‘Hyllos’ case particular emphasis is put on the creative way the performance brings antiquity closer to the present using the story of an ancient mythical figure to provocatively comment on the state of democracy today. In ‘Communitas’ the dynamic socio-political aspect of the work is stressed as well as the innovative way Mik has physically and intellectually engaged his viewers. For the purposes of this study the author has pursued the qualitative research of the semi-structured interviews. Several museum and theatre professionals of various ranks and tasks have been interviewed. The outcome of the study indicates that performative means in both anthropological and archaeological museums have, apart from an entertaining, a strong educational-interpretive function. Although contemporary art museums are also interested in their educational mission, they nevertheless present a big number of performative works –such as performance art pieces- which constitute exhibits by themselves. Performative means indeed seem to foster museums’ social relevance having the capability to help them fulfil their role and mission in contemporary world. Moreover, due to the antiquity of their exhibits archaeological museums seem to confront special difficulties in tracing a connection with the present-day visitor. Therefore, performative means can be particularly useful in the context of archaeology museums as a powerful tool able to enliven their long ago lost worlds.Show less
This thesis concerns research into underwater cultural heritage management (hereafter UCHM) in the Caribbean Netherlands after the 10th of October 2010, the day when Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius...Show moreThis thesis concerns research into underwater cultural heritage management (hereafter UCHM) in the Caribbean Netherlands after the 10th of October 2010, the day when Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius became special municipalities of the Netherlands. The research encompasses an overview of the known and unknown (expected) underwater cultural resources, based on the history of the islands, its natural environment, archaeological research, and information dispersed by marine parks and diving organisations. Secondly, a legal framework has been created and shows to what extent national laws and local bylaws provide protection of underwater cultural heritage, and how international treaties (such as the 1992 Valletta Convention and the 2001 UNESCO Convention) herein play part. Third, an overview of stakeholders is presented, including the way in which they are involved with UCHM; it concerns mainly the municipalities, governmental institutions, archaeological institutions, marine parks and diving organisations. This research provides an overview of the above; given that until present not much is known about the processes of UCHM in the Caribbean Netherlands. Despite the fact that underwater research in the past has shown that such heritage has to be protected against different threats (such as looting or infrastructural developments), its measures are not completely examined. Therefore, this research encompasses the measures that have been taken by means of legislation and other management tools, such as spatial planning, policy, collaboration, distribution of knowledge and public support. In addition, the tasks of the government and the contribution of archaeological institutions are examined. This contains the publishing of research, storage of finds and documentation, the use of databases, public outreach and quality standards for archaeology. The research ends with a discussion in which it becomes clear to what extent UCHM in the Caribbean Netherlands has made progress, and in which spheres it can be improved.Show less
This research examines fracture risks in post-Medieval the Netherlands. The challenges of daily life as well as interpersonal violence means humans are always at risk of fractures to the skeleton....Show moreThis research examines fracture risks in post-Medieval the Netherlands. The challenges of daily life as well as interpersonal violence means humans are always at risk of fractures to the skeleton. Given the occurrence of fractures across societies archaeologists have the opportunity to compare the fracture risk between populations and investigate the effects of social and economic standing. Research into long bone fractures in the Netherlands has been done for medieval sites, but not for post medieval sites. This research addresses this gap in fracture research. The main question of this research is: What can the analysis of long bone fractures tell us about life in various places in post-medieval the Netherlands. The first sub question tests the hypothesis that the position, and pattern of fractures was influenced by the socioeconomic status and lifestyle of the inhabitants of Middenbeemster. The second and third sub questions compare the frequency and distribution of long bone fractures (clavicle, humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula) from four post-medieval the Netherlands sites (Eindhoven, Gouda, Middenbeemster and Roosendaal) from different socioeconomic backgrounds (e.g. low and high status) and living environments (e.g. urban and rural). The data from the Middenbeemster sample was collected by the author the other data was drawn from reports and books. There were three main findings in this research. First, it found that the assemblage from Middenbeemster has fractures that are consistent with traditional farming injuries, but differed from those described in other bioarchaeological studies, suggesting that farming in post-medieval the Netherlands might have been different or posted different dangers from those in other places. Second it found that the urban site of Eindhoven had significantly more long bone fractures compared to the rural site of Middenbeemster. There was also a difference in the distribution of fractures between the sites. This suggests that in post-medieval the Netherlands urban living had more risks of long bone fractures than rural living. Third, there was no difference in the long bone fracture rate between the high status site of Gouda and the low status site of Roosendaal. This shows that socioeconomic status did not have a significant effect on fracture risk. This thesis has broadened our understanding of fracture risk in post-medieval the Netherlands by providing some preliminary conclusions about the relationship between environmental and socioeconomic factors and fracture risk. This research, however, still requires more comparative data sets to confirm these preliminary conclusions, and test new hypotheses.Show less
From the site of Oegstgeest Nieuw Rhijngeest-Zuid an archaeobotanical sample taken from an excavated well was researched in this thesis. The sample has been dated to 600 - 750 A.D. which...Show moreFrom the site of Oegstgeest Nieuw Rhijngeest-Zuid an archaeobotanical sample taken from an excavated well was researched in this thesis. The sample has been dated to 600 - 750 A.D. which corresponds to the Merovingian time period. The research questions were based on how the environment would have looked like during the time of deposition, whether human influences on the landscape would be indicated, and if there were signs of salt-water influx traceable in the sample. One sample of 250 ml was analysed. The waterlogged material was well preserved. In total 21 taxa were identified to species or subspecies level, 10 were identified to genus level and 2 were identified to family level. Of the ecological groups as set up by Arnolds & Van der Maarel (1979) six different groups were present in the sample. These ecological groups and represented plant taxa indicate that the environment during the time of deposition was probably quite open, nutrient-rich, and wet. There are clear indications of brackish water in the environment, but no clear indications of cultivated plants were identified. However, the identified species that are nitrogen indicators, and therefore manure or pollution indicators, seem to confirm human influence on their environment.Show less
In modern research of the Central Mexican manuscripts, the Codex Laud has always remained in a position of obscurity. Barely a handful of comprehensive studies of this codex have been published...Show moreIn modern research of the Central Mexican manuscripts, the Codex Laud has always remained in a position of obscurity. Barely a handful of comprehensive studies of this codex have been published over the past century. Mostly, the Codex Laud is only mentioned briefly in studies of other divinatory codices, and simply regarded as one of the Borgia Group codices, often serving as material for comparison with the other codices of this group. As such, a closer look at this codex is warranted. In this thesis, a single page of the Codex Laud takes the centre stage: page 23, the second-to-last page of the codex, which features a complex composition of calendrical and various other elements around a single central figure. This page forms the subject for a detailed analysis using the iconographical method of Panofsky in order to gain insight into the various layers of meaning hidden within its imagery. In this manner, this thesis will attempt to do what the ancient Mexican diviners did – to determine the associations and meaning(s) of the page in all its aspects and contexts.Show less
MA thesis is based on a research done in the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO).The aim of this study was to explore how RMO’s contemporary art exhibition policy fits in the context of...Show moreMA thesis is based on a research done in the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO).The aim of this study was to explore how RMO’s contemporary art exhibition policy fits in the context of contemporary museum practices regarding contemporary art. The author traced the beginnings of displaying and juxtaposing contemporary art together with non- art objects. This approach was firstly used during the Primitivism, an art movement in the early 20th century. Therefore a framework of the most famous Primitivism exhibition "Primitivism" in 20th Century Art: Affinity of the Tribal and the Modern (Museum of Modern Art, New York City, 1984) was chosen to analyze the exhibitions held in RMO. The outcome of the study shows that contemporary artists are engaged with themes that are archaeology- related. However, two of the Primitivism characteristics: aestheticism and juxtaposing contemporary and non- art objects are still present in the current exhibition practices in RMO. Contemporary art displayed in RMO partly fits in the art trend called historiographic turn. However it is mostly a visual inspiration instead of in- depth study of the past which is a main requirement for historiographic turn.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The research presented in this thesis focusses on the architectural remains at Koroneia, recorded during the survey of the site. The research has two main aims: firstly to categorise the finds in a...Show moreThe research presented in this thesis focusses on the architectural remains at Koroneia, recorded during the survey of the site. The research has two main aims: firstly to categorise the finds in a workable manner in order to create a base file from which the analyses of the material are made. The second aim is to analyse the architecture to reconstruct the ancient city in the various periods of time in which it existed. In other words, the architecture encountered at Koroneia is used as an archaeological proxy to investigate an ancient city, but also the methodology of using this type of material to do this type of research is studied. The first aim is achieved by creating an interactive digital map of the site in which all the data are combined and as such a research tool is created. The second aim is achieved by creating a broad frame in which the material is studied. An extensive background study on architecture through time as well as a broad historical overview of Greece and the region in which Koroneia is situated form two sides of the frame that is used. The intensive manner of survey that was applied to the site in regard to architecture is unique and therefore this thesis is also used to evaluate this methodology. The results of the study definitely prove that this type of study provides reliable information with which the development of a city can be researched. This research shows that Koroneia went through various phases of growth and contraction, often contemporary with nearby cities and/or larger regional developments. It will form a vital comparison with the analysis of the spread of ceramics across the site in each phase of its existence, ongoing work. Although the results show that this study was successful, further research into the use of architecture as an archaeological proxy is possible and advisable. It is clear that more can be discerned if a larger scale is applied to the material, as most of the architectural styles and changes are not formed on a city-level, but rather on a regional, or even larger, scale. More elaborate comparisons within the region of Boeotia as well as with other regions like Attica, Thessaly, but also in other Mediterranean regions outside Greece, could greatly enhance our understanding. Furthermore, more detailed studies of the individual styles encountered may also result in more elaborate ideas on the architecture and this will further enhance our understanding of the past.Show less
Summary There are many differences between the Upper-Paleolithic, the period which is often associated with the Anatomically Modern Human, and the Middle-Paleolithic, a period which is often...Show moreSummary There are many differences between the Upper-Paleolithic, the period which is often associated with the Anatomically Modern Human, and the Middle-Paleolithic, a period which is often associated with the Neanderthal. One of those differences is the increased use of standardized bone tools in the Upper-Paleolithic. These standardized bone tools were used for very specific purposes. An example of such a standardized bone tool is the ‘lissoir’ (the smoother). The lissoir is a bone tool that was used to make hides more impermeable and lustrous and tougher. In 2013 Soressi et al. (2013) published an article in which it was stated that four lissoirs from the Middle Paleolithic from two different sites (Abri Peyrony en Pech de l’Aze) were found. Soressi et al. (2013) suggest that there was possibly a cultural diffusion from Neanderthals to Anatomically Modern Humans. To investigate this theory, the Middle Paleolithic lissoirs were compared with the lissoirs from the Aurignacian (a period in the Upper Paleolithic) in this research. This research is based on publicated lissoirs from Southwest France. For this research an extensive database was made, containing parameters which among others concerned; the site, the sizes and the morphology of the lissoirs, the material and the technology that was used to produce the lissoirs and the absence or presence of use-wear, weathering, root etching, gnawing, digestion and decoration. The database contains 52 lissoirs from 16 sites. The results of the research show us that there are multiple similarities and differences between the lissoirs from the Middle Paleolithic and the Aurignacian. However, because of a lack of data, the research question cannot be answered univocal: based on this research it cannot be refuted that the Neanderthals invented the lissoir and the Anatomically Modern Humans imitated the Neanderthals. New research, in which the lissoirs from the Aurignacian are studied, are necessary. The main items that should be studied about the Aurignacian lissoirs are the curvature, the animal species that were used to produce the lissoirs, the shapes of the fractures, the use-wear ont the lissoirs and the technology used to produce the lissoirs. This would make a comparison between the Aurignacian and the Middle Paleolithic lissoirs better.Show less
Starch granules have always been an abundant material. These plant products are transported everywhere, influenced by several pre- and post-depositional processes. By doing research on starch and...Show moreStarch granules have always been an abundant material. These plant products are transported everywhere, influenced by several pre- and post-depositional processes. By doing research on starch and how it is affected by natural or anthropogenic processes it is possible to interpret past activities. This thesis focuses on the trajectory of starch from the plant to human dental calculus. Not all complex processes of the biology and preservation of starch and dental calculus are understood yet. This may cause biases when interpreting the result. These knowledge gaps are acknowledged, in contrast to biases possibly caused by the methods used to extract the information starch and dental calculus. The problem is that several methods exist side-by-side in the young field of study, and that there exists no clear evaluation on their quality. The aims of this research project are to 1) compare three starch extraction methods and 2) to improve the skills and knowledge of the author in applying these methods. The relevance of this work lays in detecting and solving problems 1) observed in the background information and 2) caused by the application or deviation from selected extraction methods. The research focuses besides on 3) a comparison of quantitative results and possible influences. The hypothesis was posed that no quantitative differences could be observed. Three distinct extraction protocols and nine teeth from three individuals are selected. The protocols are chosen based on the involvement of different chemicals. The teeth are derived from the 1984 excavation at the St. John cemetery, ‘s Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. They are selected based on large calculus deposits. Different steps in the methodological process are defined, namely sampling, recovery, recognition and quantification. The protocols are performed and the results evaluated. From the results it appears that the hypothesis can be confirmed, under the defined influences and circumstances. Observed problems after critical assessment on both background information and protocols led to the conclusion that future research focusing on particular problems is necessary in order to increase the reliability of results and their archaeological interpretations.Show less
The aim of this research is to define how oral history can be used as a source of information for archaeological research, and how it can be complementary to an approach in which the local...Show moreThe aim of this research is to define how oral history can be used as a source of information for archaeological research, and how it can be complementary to an approach in which the local community is included. By using the information for practical as well as ethical research engagements through an extensive analysis of the local perspective by looking at historicity and multivocality, it is shown that much more can be achieved with oral history research when the local perspective is thoroughly understood and precisely described. Therefore, Oral history as part of archaeological research is placed in between archaeological ethnography and community archaeology. Analysis of oral history data supports knowledge of the local display of historicization and thus helps to understand the information as deriving from a local perspective, which improves its usefulness for archaeological research. By looking at the presentation of historicity through specific characteristics of oral history storylines, a new framework of reference is presented for further research on combining oral history and archaeology. When the perspective of the local community is understood, information from oral history interviews can be included in the archaeological research as part of a multivocal interpretation of the past. Including voices of the local community and therefore adjusting archaeological research to their perspective and valuation of heritage promotes the active involvement and inclusion of the local community.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
This thesis utilizes geologic methods and techniques (optical mineralogy and electron microprobe analysis) to characterize certain stone ground-edge artifacts from the site of El Cabo. This has...Show moreThis thesis utilizes geologic methods and techniques (optical mineralogy and electron microprobe analysis) to characterize certain stone ground-edge artifacts from the site of El Cabo. This has been done to locate the provenance of these samples and to build a better understand of the materials used by the Amerindians of the Dominican Republic. This research will also delve into possible rituals that existed with lithic procurement in this region and others. The goals of the thesis are to build a better understand of archaeology and geology of the insular-Caribbean as a whole and to zoom in on the Dominican Republic and the site of El Cabo.Show less
Domesticity, its definition and its patterning have continually evolved and changed, to the extent that our modern perception of what constitutes a home, and our perceptions of ‘public’ and ...Show moreDomesticity, its definition and its patterning have continually evolved and changed, to the extent that our modern perception of what constitutes a home, and our perceptions of ‘public’ and ‘private’ are drastically different from what existed in ancient society. This is even more applicable for Ancient Greece and Rome, two civilizations which had a significant impact on the majority of the Old World. Despite this, few studies have undertaken an effective comparison of houses in these two civilizations, and what similarities and contrasts would have existed. This thesis will focus on this issue, specifically targeting two of the best known cities in the Hellenic and Roman periods; namely that of Pompeii and Olynthos. Architecture should, as archaeological research has shown for Greece and Rome retrospectively, reflect the values upheld in society and transmit the ethos of the wider community. For Olynthos, the idea of ‘Isonomia’ should be visible within households, the notion that all members of Greek society were of similar status and of equal importance. Conversely at Pompeii, the concept of ‘Luxuria’ – or rather social status and wealth – was important, thus a stratified system of housing disparity should be witnessed to reflect this. I will target block A vii for Olynthos and Insula of the Menander for Pompeii, two representative and well preserved areas with multiple phases of building history, to carry out this study; in this way a clusters of habitation can be compared. In doing so, this thesis will attempt to investigate the relationship between social contemporary concepts and one specific physical representation of this societies, i.e. domestic architecture.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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Rescue excavations in the Schöningen open-cast mine (Lower Saxony, Germany), carried out since the 1980s, have led to the discovery of multiple Lower Palaeolithic sites. In 1995, the locality...Show moreRescue excavations in the Schöningen open-cast mine (Lower Saxony, Germany), carried out since the 1980s, have led to the discovery of multiple Lower Palaeolithic sites. In 1995, the locality became world-famous for the discovery of Palaeolithic wooden throwing spears from the site Schöningen 13 II-4 (known as the ‘spear horizon’), found in association with lithic artefacts and a bone assemblage largely composed of horses. Aside from its archaeological significance, the Schöningen open-cast mine is well-known for its extensive Quaternary glacial–interglacial sequence, spanning the period from the Elsterian Stage to the present, which has been studied extensively. Still, there is ongoing debate on the position of the Middle Pleistocene deposits exposed at Schöningen, and – as a consequence – on the age estimate of the spear horizon and the other Palaeolithic sites from the open-cast mine. This debate relates to a) the interpretation of the stratigraphic sequence exposed at Schöningen and its organic contents, (b) the debate surrounding the age of the Holsteinian Interglacial and its correlation with the marine isotope record, and (c) the debate on the number of interglacials that could have existed between the Elsterian and the Saalian glaciations. A review of the lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and chronometric evidence from the open-cast mine, presented in this thesis, has led to the development of a chronostratigraphic subdivision of the Middle Pleistocene sequence that is in line with most evidence from other sequences in Europe. Three lithostratigraphic units have been defined. They are correlated with the Holsteinian Interglacial and MIS 11 (Unit I), the Reinsdorf Interglacial and MIS 9 (Unit II), and the Schöningen Interglacial and MIS 7 (Unit III). This chronostratigraphic subdivision allows for an age estimate of around 300ka (thousand years ago) for the spear horizon (Schönigen 13 II-4), and an age estimate of around 400ka for the oldest archaeological site from the open-cast mine (Schöningen 13 I).Show less
Cultural heritage plays an important part in the rehabilitation process in post-war societies because it forms the physical part of an ethnic groups’ identity. In countries of the former Yugoslavia...Show moreCultural heritage plays an important part in the rehabilitation process in post-war societies because it forms the physical part of an ethnic groups’ identity. In countries of the former Yugoslavia, a shared narrative is used for rehabilitation purposes and implemented through the reconstruction of cultural heritage. Because the various ethnic groups living in countries of the former Yugoslavia have their own divergent memories to the war, reconstruction as a form of rehabilitation is difficult and disputed. In this thesis, I will show that the main difficulty of rehabilitation through the reconstruction of cultural heritage lies in the fact that it is used as a forced shared narrative, which does not enhance co-operation between ethnic groups, but effectively cements the already existing ethnic segregation. The archaeological heritage manager plays a key role in resolving this problem. Through his extensive background knowledge and methodology, the archaeological heritage manager forms a link between the local community, the national government and international community. Thus, while the national governments, through the involvement of the international community, saw the reconstruction of cultural heritage as a trigger for regional stabilization, results show that it is better used for the revitalization of the local community. Through this, rehabilitation will follow. This thesis focuses on the rehabilitation through the reconstruction of cultural heritage in countries of the former Yugoslavia and focuses on the difficulties there. However, through recognizing these difficulties and coming up with opportunities, the results will be implementable in comparable situations and will add to the solution on how rehabilitation in post-war countries can best be achieved.Show less
