In the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period...Show moreIn the 1980s, archaeological studies near the village of Valkenburg, South-Holland, unearthed the skeletal remains of individuals buried at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery during the Roman period. Part of multiple Roman fortifications along the Limes dating from 40 A.D. onwards, the cemetery was likely used as a burial ground for inhabitants of the Valkenburg fort or nearby vicus, a civilian settlement. The cemetery comprised at least 250 cremated individuals as well as 47 inhumations, which is a striking find that contradicts the common Roman practice of cremation. Due to these inhumated skeletal remains, the site provides an unique opportunity to employ osteoarchaeological analysis to reconstruct the lives of individuals that lived in the Roman Frontier region. This thesis utilizes cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis to infer activity patterns among individuals at the Valkenburg-Marktveld cemetery, as current research on the differences in bone geometry between different demographic groups within Roman communities in the Lower Rhine area is limited. The study further investigates the factors and potential activity patterns that might influence those variations, such as biological age and sex. To do so, it builds on the initial osteoarchaeological study conducted by Lonnée and Maat (1998), who reported the estimated sex and age-at-death of each individual. Following this, each relevant bone in the upper and lower limbs was measured on various points to generate the indices for each point of measurement, as well as calculate the percentage directional asymmetry (DA%) and absolute asymmetry (AA%). The resulting values were then compared statistically between the biological sexes and age-at-death categories. While statistical significance is limited, the interpretation of data highlights the potential of these analyses in inferring activity patterns. Results from the analysis indicate that males tend to display more robust and symmetric upper and lower limbs than females, which are likely attributable to biological factors or a wider range of activities in males. Age-at-death categories exhibited inconsistencies with patterns described in other study, which is possibly due to natural variation or the limited preservation and availability of the skeletal material. Despite the limited number of individuals that could be examined, this thesis contributes valuable insights into the application of cross-sectional geometry and bilateral asymmetry analysis in osteoarchaeological studies, complementing historical data and broadening our understanding of activities in Roman frontier regions.Show less
In this thesis, it is examined how the period between ca. 150 and 350 AD is represented in the macrobotanical record of the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt area. Furthermore, an attempt is made to shed light...Show moreIn this thesis, it is examined how the period between ca. 150 and 350 AD is represented in the macrobotanical record of the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt area. Furthermore, an attempt is made to shed light on the developments which must have led to the assumed demographic decline during this period. This is done by relating the macrobotanical outcome to four prediction models which were based on four existing explanatory theories on the decline, formulated by Groenman-van Waateringe (1983), Roymans and Gerritsen (2002), Slofstra (1991) and Verwers (1998). These scholars disagreed about the exact start and end date of the decline. Although the macrobotanical record does not show an unambiguous chronological overview for the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt area, most data refer to a gradual start between 150 and 200 AD and an end date around 350 AD. It is revealed that the macrobotanical data lack evidence about essential trends formulated in the prediction models. It was impossible to significantly enhance or weaken either of the four explanatory theories. However, it is clear that the period between 150 and 350 AD was not a fruitful phase for the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt area. More research and a uniform presentation of results in macrobotanical studies were strongly recommended.Show less
