Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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This thesis focuses on the use of experimental archaeology and residues analysis to further our understanding of the plant exploitation possibilities on the Crimean Peninsula during the Late...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the use of experimental archaeology and residues analysis to further our understanding of the plant exploitation possibilities on the Crimean Peninsula during the Late Pleniglacial period (19 -15 cal BP). Crimean plant exploitation during this period is not well understood despite palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and ethnobotanical data being available. The aim was to elicit the types of residues that would have been collected and how these residues could be made useful in archaeological applications. This was done by executing several experiments with stone tools and plants likely to have been on the peninsula during that period. The results showed interesting plant specific correlations with the tools as well as a consistent performance of starch accumulation across all tools. These results are a vital step towards creating a broader and a more inclusive reference collection for wild plants in order to understand the residues and what we need to look for in the field from an archaeological and palaeobotanical perspective.Show less
In this Master Thesis a novel approach is presented to study the extinction of the giant hominid Gigantopithecus blacki from Palaeolithic Southeast Asia, around 300 ka in the Middle Pleistocene,...Show moreIn this Master Thesis a novel approach is presented to study the extinction of the giant hominid Gigantopithecus blacki from Palaeolithic Southeast Asia, around 300 ka in the Middle Pleistocene, while early Homo survived. This novel approach consists of alternative solutions to established methods, based on a multidisciplinary background. It concerns palaeozoloogical questions from an archaeological interest that require to be solved with 3D virtual reality methods, including 3D Photogrammetry and Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis (OFA). After Comparative Morphometric Analyses (CMA’s) on the dentition and mandibles of 4 analogue hominid species (G. gorilla, P. pygmaeus, P. boisei and H. sapiens), 3D Photogrammetry and Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis (OFA) were performed on isolated G. blacki teeth. The mastication of G. blacki, based on dental macrowear and mandibular morphology as proxies, could reveal many inferences on the relationship between mastication and extinction. These inferences included: (1) dental occlusal surface area which facilitated dental wear; (2) the distribution of dental wear facets per wear types; (3) the orientation of wear facets; (4) dental arcade shape; (5) specific morphometric regions used during mastication; (6) specific adaptation to a restricted palaeoenvironment (habitat and niche); and (7) palaeodiet. Surprisingly, in contrast to the hypothesis that mastication in G. blacki would be most similar to P. pygmaeus, it tends to be more similar to a G. gorilla, with a comparable ‘specialization-factor’ to P. boisei. However, the relationship found between mastication and extinction is more complex than it initially seemed. Although there exists a causal relationship, in which mastication determined palaeodiet, which eventually caused extinction of G. blacki, the reality might be more complex than this rather simplified relationship. Therefore, the relationship between mastication and extinction is not one-to-one, but should always be considered in association with other factors. Comparative interpretations between G. blacki and H. erectus (sensu lato) on ‘failure versus success’ from an ‘inferior versus superior’ approach, are false and not justified. However, such a hierarchical comparison does seems justified with H. floresiensis. As it was vulnerable to similar palaeoenvironmental fluctuations as G. blacki. Overall, dental macrowear and mandibular morphology as reliable proxies for mastication and extinction have great potential, but should be interpreted cautiously to avoid over-interpretations. Therefore, this Master Thesis is a pilot-study for future research.Show less
During the last ice age, the North Sea was a dry land. Following the deglaciation, it became inundated because of the rising sea levels roughly 8 millennia ago. The North Sea region was inhabited...Show moreDuring the last ice age, the North Sea was a dry land. Following the deglaciation, it became inundated because of the rising sea levels roughly 8 millennia ago. The North Sea region was inhabited by humans and animals and provides major archaeological insights. In this thesis, an analysis of the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes of 14C dated skeletal remains from the North Sea is performed. The research question is to evaluate the potential outcome for paleo-ecological reconstructions during the Late Pleistocene and the Early Holocene, and contributions regarding human societies - in particular subsistence. The material consists for the most part of mammal skeletal remains, dating from the maximum of the 14C range (ca. 45,000 BP) to the Early Holocene. An overview of the data generated on the basis of all available measurements is given, focusing on stable isotopes. The data are discussed from various perspectives, such as the composition and biases of the database that is used in this thesis. An interesting observation is the difference in diet between Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene terrestrial mammals. This is caused by differences in the consumption of vegetation and suggests a change of landscape during this timerange. The isotope analysis of the North Sea material does confirm pre-existing hypotheses regarding dietary differences between animals. It also confirms the picture of how the North Sea area looked like many years ago: terrestrial and marine ecosystems dominated the Late Pleistocene landscape, after which it became more wet during the Early Holocene with the emergence of freshwater environments, the expansion of the marine environment and subsequent gradual disappearance of the terrestrial ecosystem. The potential of applying stable isotope research for paleo-ecological reconstructions is therefore clearly shown, even when it is based on a relatively limited sample of animal bones available.Show less
The archaeology of the Early Mesolithic period in the North Sea area is relatively still unknown. Human bone material from this area is fished and dredged at different locations in the North Sea,...Show moreThe archaeology of the Early Mesolithic period in the North Sea area is relatively still unknown. Human bone material from this area is fished and dredged at different locations in the North Sea, for instance the Brown Bank and the Eurogeul. This material is researched on the age of the bone, performed with the 14C dating method, for which the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) automatically are measured. These isotopes provides the possibility to reconstruct the palaeodiet of these people. The main question of this thesis is whether or not a diet is seen in the data of these samples, and if so, what the character of this diet was. The results of the majority of the samples show a diet mainly based on freshwater resources, with additions of terrestrial or marine resources. This corresponds with known data from other archaeological sites in Northwest Europe in the Early Mesolithic. These indicate a broad-spectrum economy; an economy mostly based on one specific resource, with additional food supply of other ecosystems. Although this analysis provides more information about the Early Mesolithic of the North Sea area, this dataset is small and there is no context of the material. The absence of faunal remains is in this sense a problem. However, this can be solved by using the stable isotopes of faunal remains from a broader context, such as remains from the North Sea in its entirety, the Netherlands and Denmark. Future research can possibly provide more and detailed information about these people of this area.Show less
