This thesis sought to answer the question: to what extent are documentary viewers consuming an androcentric image of the Palaeolithic? In order to reach a conclusion, it first examined several...Show moreThis thesis sought to answer the question: to what extent are documentary viewers consuming an androcentric image of the Palaeolithic? In order to reach a conclusion, it first examined several prominent models of human evolution and early subsistence, noting the roles of males and females in each, and any bias or stereotyping that arose. Secondly, ethnographic evidence was cautiously evaluated to determine the extent to which anthropological models of early hunter-gatherers accurately reflect modern hunter-gatherer lifestyles. In addition, representations and depictions of Palaeolithic life, and in particular Palaeolithic women and their work, from various popular media sources were examined. Evolutionary theory, ethnographic and archaeological evidence, and common themes in the representation of Palaeolithic women were examined together to devise a definition of ‘androcentrism’ in this context. This definition was then compared to the treatment of women in five documentaries depicting Palaeolithic life, chosen for their perceived scientific authority and influence over the public’s understanding of the Palaeolithic. The results of the analysis of these documentaries showed they firmly adhered to the definition of androcentrism previously devised. Across all documentaries, women were vastly underrepresented compared to men. Where women were represented, they were shown engaging in a much more limited range of activities than men, and these activities perpetuated a modern, Western notion of women’s ‘place’. Women were tied to activities associated with nature such as gathering and childcare, and were excluded from activities related to culture including stone tool use, ritual and art. Activities that were most commonly carried out by females, such as gathering, were also significantly underrepresented in comparison to perceived male activities such as large game hunting. Having established the significant overrepresentation of males and a privileging of their activities across all documentaries examined, this thesis concluded by offering advice for future documentaries to avoid presenting such an overtly androcentric view of the Palaeolithic.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
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
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
Recent discoveries in the Cromer Forest-bed Formation, UK, demonstrated early colonisation of northern Europe. The Mediterranean like environment of Pakefield led to the interpretation that...Show moreRecent discoveries in the Cromer Forest-bed Formation, UK, demonstrated early colonisation of northern Europe. The Mediterranean like environment of Pakefield led to the interpretation that hominins before 500 ka may have been able to colonise northern Europe only under environmental conditions that were familiar to them (Parfitt et al. 2005; Roebroeks 2006). The discovery of archaeological sites at Happisburgh (UK) provided new data that were not in compliance with the ecological signal established above (Parfitt et al. 2010). This thesis presents evidence from Happisburgh Site 1 and Site 3 that indicates early hominin presence in northern Europe before 500 ka in cool and forested environments. Theories that can explain hominin presence in these cooler environments are addressed as well as technological innovations the hominins may have adapted to survive the environment. The coastal perspective theory explains hominin presence in northern Europe due to adaptations to coastal zones which would provide an abundant habitat mix, plenty of resources and a temperate low seasonal climate (Cohen et al. 2012). Technological adaptations to cold winters (below zero) may have been needed, but are not irrefutably reflected in the archaeological record of the Happisburgh sites. The Happisburgh sites have large implications for our understanding of the ecological tolerances and behaviour of early hominins in Europe.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
This thesis discusses the environmental changes in flora and fauna from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen 13 II, Germany. The data in this thesis consists of the ecological data from Schö 13...Show moreThis thesis discusses the environmental changes in flora and fauna from the Middle Pleistocene site Schöningen 13 II, Germany. The data in this thesis consists of the ecological data from Schö 13 II as well as faunal data from Middle Pleistocene archaeological sites and data from present day national parks in Europe. This data is used to get insight in species compositions in various types of environments. The archaeological data, comprising flora and fauna, are analysed as an entity to gain insight into the structure of the environmental changes at this site. The environment in Schöningen changed gradually in the four levels, Schö 13 II-1 to 13 II-4 from interglacial optimum to stadial phase with an onset to a glacial phase. The floral data gave detailed indications of fluctuations in the environment, whereas the faunal data showed a more gradual change in the environment. The elements in Schö 13 II-1 are indicative for an interglacial phase, 13 II-2 contains elements of both interglacial and (inter)stadial phases and levels 13 II-3 and 13 II-4 are indicative for stadial contexts. Characteristic for the patterns in species diversity is that it is variable throughout the levels. Schö 13 II-1 and 13 II-3 both show a relatively low diversity, whereas the diversity in 13 II-2 and 13 II-4 is higher, but still not exceptionally high if compared to other Middle Pleistocene sites. These differences in diversity can be explained by potential deformations by taphonomical processes. The non-analoguous patterns in large mammal compositions of the site can be explained in terms of species behaviour and taphonomical processes.Show less
