This research is about the mammal remains that were found during the excavation at the IPSE site in Delft. The aim of this research is to determine the domesticated animals which were slaughtered...Show moreThis research is about the mammal remains that were found during the excavation at the IPSE site in Delft. The aim of this research is to determine the domesticated animals which were slaughtered and consumed in the periods between 1350 and 1800 AD, the age of the animals and the ratio between the species of “De Paardenmarkt” area in Delft. Observations were made to determine the change in animal consumption by the inhabitants through these periods. Not much is known about the poor people in the Dutch Middle Ages, because most historical information is used to focus on the rich or middle class people. The population living on the site is proposed to belong to the lower and middle class of society. But the less wealthy citizens had an important place in society as well. They were a large portion of the class society, which consisted of the clergy at the top, then nobility and lastly farmers and labourers. With this archaeological approach, the research will contribute to the reconstruction of the poorer part of the community of the city of Delft in the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance.Show less
In this thesis there is researched to what extent the period defined as Breda’s Golden Era (the first half of the 16th century) is visible in the development of cesspits and import ceramics. Three...Show moreIn this thesis there is researched to what extent the period defined as Breda’s Golden Era (the first half of the 16th century) is visible in the development of cesspits and import ceramics. Three research questions form the focus point of this thesis. First there is investigated to what extent the demographic development of Breda coincides with the economic development of the city. Second there is researched to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda is reflected in the development of cesspits. And last there is investigated to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda are reflected in the development of import ceramics. The economic development seems to coincide with the demographic development. Four phases are distinguished based on these developments in order to set a base to which the archaeological data will be compared. Phase 1 (1100-1404) includes the start and steady growth of Breda. Phase 2 (1404-1504) includes a stronger economic growth of the city. Phase 3 (1504-1566) marks the period referred to as the Golden Era of the city and phase 4 (1566-1648) marks the decline of Breda. The first working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in number of cesspits, is more or less confirmed as the development in number of cesspits coincides for a large part with the development in density of population. The density of population regarding the number of civilians seems to coincide better with the development of cesspits than the density of population including both civilians and militaries, which resided in the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648). The second working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in import ceramics, is also confirmed as the peak in total number of import ceramics coincides with Breda’s Golden Era and the low in total number of import ceramics with the decline of the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648).Show less
