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 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
Százhalombatta-Földvár, located in Central Hungary, is a Bronze Age tell-settlement along the Danube River, at the delta of the Benta river. The Bronze Age in Hungary is the period between 2800...Show moreSzázhalombatta-Földvár, located in Central Hungary, is a Bronze Age tell-settlement along the Danube River, at the delta of the Benta river. The Bronze Age in Hungary is the period between 2800-2700 BC and 800 BC (Kiss 2005), from which Százhalombatta represents 2000-1400 BC (Vicze 2013). This archaeological site has an important role in the Bronze Age research in Hungary – and abroad. Due to its size and geographical position, Százhalombatta-Földvár can be considered the head of the Bronze Age chiefdom in the Benta valley, according to the model proposed by Earle and Kristiansen (2010). However, detailed research of the site itself is challenging this view. Comparisons of the material culture with other site-types show little indications of a difference in social hierarchy within each site. Hence, instead of political differences, they might be economical. The present study aims to give additional information for the interpretation of the site through microwear analysis of sickle inserts. Microwear analysis is not yet an established approach in Hungary, making the present research a pioneer and offering a fully new approach to understanding the site. In the research presented here, a sample of sickle blades has been analysed, coming from the last occupation layer of the tell, the Koszider Phase (1500-1400 BC) (Vicze 2013). Sickle blades are the most common flint tools found on the site, which underlines their importance in the daily life and society. In order to properly introduce this new method into the current research, it was essential to conduct experiments as references, because the archaeological microwear traces have to be compared with traces on experimental tools. As such, harvesting with experimental flint flakes was carried out. The experiments focused on the difference between 148 Abstract harvesting methods and cereal types. Furthermore, the archaeological tools were also compared to literature and the experimental reference collection of the faculty of archaeology. The microwear analysis strengthens the interpretation that the sickle blades had been used to harvest cereals and that they were used for a long time and regularly maintained. Unfortunately, the experiments did not yield the hoped-for differentiating information, while the archaeological tools do show a greater variability. As a result, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the harvesting method or harvested cereal species at this stage of the research. Nevertheless, it was possible to give some interpretation about social organisation. From the microwear analysis it can be suggested that sickles were important tools and that the harvest might have been organised and centralised by Százhalombatta-Földvár in the chiefdom of the Benta valley.Show less
In deze scriptie staan halvemaanvormige vuurstenen ‘sikkels’ uit de Late Bronstijd en Vroege IJzertijd, in West-Friesland, centraal. Dit onderzoek vormt een duidelijk overzicht van de sikkels en...Show moreIn deze scriptie staan halvemaanvormige vuurstenen ‘sikkels’ uit de Late Bronstijd en Vroege IJzertijd, in West-Friesland, centraal. Dit onderzoek vormt een duidelijk overzicht van de sikkels en sikkelfragmenten die zijn aangetroffen in West-Friesland, en heeft bijgedragen aan een beter inzicht in dit object en de verspreiding ervan. Hieruit is gebleken dat het verspreidingspatroon afhankelijk is van twee factoren, namelijk de bewoning die zich in het noordoosten van West-Friesland concentreerde, en de onderzoeksintensiteit. Na onderzoek naar de verschillen en/of overeenkomsten uit het oorsprongsgebied en Denemarken, blijkt dat de interpretatie of betekenis van deze halvemaanvormige werktuigen anders is voor deze gemeenschappen, dan voor de gemeenschappen uit Nederland. Dit verschil in functie is te herleiden tot de verdeling in twee typen (A en B), de verspreiding hiervan en het feit dat ze beide van een andere vuursteensoort zijn vervaardigd. Daarnaast wordt door dit onderzoek bevestigd dat complete vuurstenen sikkels zelden tot nooit in nederzettingen worden aangetroffen; het zijn vaak losse vondsten die in de periferie van nederzettingen worden gevonden. Fragmenten die hergebruikt zijn komen wel veel voor in nederzettingscontext.Show less
