This thesis examines a new way of tracing individual life histories in the context of slavery in the Caribbean during the colonial period. The carbon stable isotopes in bioapatite were compared to...Show moreThis thesis examines a new way of tracing individual life histories in the context of slavery in the Caribbean during the colonial period. The carbon stable isotopes in bioapatite were compared to carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in collagen of serial dentine samples in the case study of an enslaved African found on the island of Saba. Five dental elements were found out of anatomical context in a lockbox at Spring Bay Flat plantation. The use of bioapatite and collagen in tandem has been proved to provide extra valuable information in dietary studies and doing so in dentine increments yields an individual and high temporal resolution new to bioarchaeology. The individual studied here forcibly migrated from the African Sahel during the formation of the first molar, suffering from a period of nutritional stress before experiencing a dramatic dietary change. Multi-isotope analysis of both organic and inorganic matrixes in dentine increments is proven to be a valuable and innovative method of reconstructing individual life histories in unprecedented detail. The production of osteobiographies such as this one helps us to understand individual experiences during periods of slavery, captivity, and exploitation on a level that we can empathise with and therefore offers important and profound contributions to discussions on slavery and colonialism in a broader sense.Show less
The origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been...Show moreThe origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been trying to solve the mystery that is the origin of speech. An unambiguous answer however, remains absent. Using the method of comparative morphology and microbiomechanical studies, it can be studied when in our evolutionary history the anatomy fit to support speech production first arose, and thus which species first had the ability to talk. This thesis looks at published data on different hard structures of the vocal tract, in particular the hyoid, hard palate and mandible, of Australopithecus afarensis, Homo erectus, the SH hominins and Homo neanderthalensis to compare them to those of the modern human and non-human great apes vocal tract, in order to discover what we can infer about the origin speech based on the evolution of the vocal tract. This comparison has shown that based on their features, these hominins can be divided into two categories. The first category is that of archaic morphology and is characterized by a hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of the non-human great apes, in particular, chimpanzees. This means they possessed a bullashaped hyoid body, a long and broad hard palate and a long and narrow, chinless mandible. To this group belong the Australopithecus afarensis and Homo erectus. The second category is that of modern morphology and is characterized by the hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of modern humans. This means a bar-like hyoid body, a shorter and more narrow hard palate and a short and broad mandible with a bony protuberance, the chin. To this groups belongs the SH hominins the Homo neanderthalensis. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the anatomical features of the vocal tract fit to support the production of speech were already in place with, at least, Neanderthals. Therefore, Neanderthals could speak. The way forward for future studies into the origin of speech mainly is more data, both in terms of quantity and more species, though this is not something that can be forced. Establishing the origin of speech might open up a new path into studying the origin of language, a related, but not identical topic.Show less
In order to reconstruct the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene pollen samples were studied under a microscope and the information was then turned in...Show moreIn order to reconstruct the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene pollen samples were studied under a microscope and the information was then turned in to pollen diagrams. These pollen diagrams showed two distinct local pollen assemblage zones (LPAZ) throughout the sequence. LPAZ VVP-1 showed a Pinus dominated coniferous forest with high amounts of Corylus that was slowly transitioning into a mixed deciduous forest. The steppe landscape was slowly disappearing and the Rhine or one of its tributaries and possibly a lake were likely nearby. LPAZ VVP-2 showed a now Corylus dominated mixed deciduous forest and the likely complete disappearance of the steppe. Alnus marshes now also played a dominant role. The river was likely still nearby. These results provide a more detailed picture of the vegetation of the Vrouw Vennepolder. In order to add a more precise timescale to the sampled sequence the sediments and the biostratigraphy were compared to the geological events and biostratigraphy of the western Netherlands during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene. This revealed that the sequence started with LPAZ VVP-1 in the Late Pleistocene during the Younger Dryas and possibly continued in to the transition to the Holocene Preboreal. After a hiatus in the Preboreal the sequence continued with LPAZ VVP-2 in the Boreal period which probably ended at the transition to the Atlantic period. The depths of the sediments were also correlated to the sea-level curve of the Rhine-Meuse delta in order to provide further dating information. This method suggested a much younger and shorter sequence in the Atlantic, but given the difficulties of this method it is better to rely on the information provided by the sediments and the biostratigraphy. These results provide a more detailed timescale for the sampled sequence. In order to determine the possibility of Paleolithic and Mesolithic groups visiting the Vrouw Vennepolder the Vrouw Vennepolder was analyzed in regards to the resources and the ecological challenges it could provide. The tough ecological challenges it provides in the vicinity of the corings due to wetness mean that it is unlikely that humans built settlements right there. They could have built them elsewhere in the Vrouw Vennepolder or outside of it and then used the area for hunting and foraging. The Vrouw Vennepolder would however have provided a large amount of resources, Corylus nuts in particular, meaning that nearby humans are likely to have exploited the area. The early and dominant presence of Corylus in the pollen diagrams could be the result of humans interacting with the environment through burning, but it is far from definitive. These results do not provide evidence for human occupation or exploitation of the Vrouw Vennepolder, but exploitation at least seems very likely.Show less
This thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century...Show moreThis thesis analysed the construction dates of early medieval forts in the Dutch Low Countries to determine their accuracy. The ringforts are generally dated to the last quarter of the 9th century and placed in an overarching historical narrative that links them to Viking raids. However, recent archaeological research suggests that earlier dates are also possible. For example, the ringfort of Den Burg was recently dated to the 8th or early 9th century with the upcoming OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) method. I selected the forts of Den Burg, Oost-Souburg, Burgh, Domburg, Deventer, and Zutphen and analysed the construction dates based on excavation reports and subsequent data analysis. I also looked at the general characteristics of the forts like shape and the type of inhabitation to determine their similarity. I found that most of the forts, except for Deventer and Domburg, could be older than the late 9th century because they were dated with a terminus ante quem or the methods used indicated a broad construction date. This is because the construction phase of a ringfort is hard to date for 14C- analysis and dendrochronology are almost never possible. This highlights the importance of OSL research in the research of ringforts. I also found that ringforts in the Dutch Low Countries differ in general characteristics. Both findings challenge the narrative of a structured defence system against Viking raids, and show that ringforts have often been interpreted based on assumptions from the historical narrative. Instead, this thesis suggests that the structures were erected at different times, by different actors, and probably for different reasons. Thus, future archaeological research should apply OSL as a dating method and be wary of assumptions from the historical narrative. This way, we can establish accurate construction dates and get closer to uncovering the complex nature of these early medieval fortifications.Show less
Toward the end of the Late Bronze Age, conflicts, widespread migrations and climate change culminated in the collapse of centers of political power across the Aegean and the Near East. The period...Show moreToward the end of the Late Bronze Age, conflicts, widespread migrations and climate change culminated in the collapse of centers of political power across the Aegean and the Near East. The period that followed, the Early Iron Age, was marked by a decrease in settlement size, population, and interregional contact. These large changes are associated with a change in diet, toward a subsistence strategy of diversification rather than intensification. During the Archaic Period, climate improved, poleis start to form and a period of regeneration begins. By the Hellenistic Period, centralized power in the form of large kingdoms and highly populated urban centers exist, and long distance contact with Egypt and the Near East reaches an unprecedented scale. The question arises therefore if these large societal changes once again are mirrored by a change in diet within Greece. In order to investigate this, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis is done on human skeletal remains from the Early Iron Age sites of Halos in Thessaly, and Makrigialos in Greek Macedonia. From those same locations, skeletal material dating to the Hellenistic Period in the case of Halos and the Classical Period in the case of Makrigialos is also investigated. Using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, assessment and comparison of diet within and between the sites is done. Diet reconstruction based on skeletal isotopic data suggests that diet did indeed change from the Early Iron Age into later periods. All examined groups were agropastoral, with a diet based on C3 plant consumption and terrestrial animal products. At Halos, millet was consumed during the Early Iron Age, but not in the Hellenistic Period. As the climate became wetter, millet was no longer a necessary food source. Instead, there is evidence of marine food intake and increased consumption of processed secondary animal products, and possibly greater consumption of luxury goods. This could indicate import of food, as this would alleviate stress related to food production and allow for effort to go toward a more varied diet with luxury additions. At Makrigialos, millet remained a substantial dietary component from the Early Iron Age into the Classical Period, but animal protein intake increased.Show less
This research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created...Show moreThis research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created previously, consisting of the compiled data on ceramics sherds encountered during three surveys in each respective region. Assessing where these ceramics were produced, and how the different provenances are distributed throughout the landscape, gives insight into how the regions connected to trade routes, and how ceramics imported along these routes were distributed throughout the landscape. To this end, the proportions of ceramic provenances were visualised for each region and subsequently broken down for the Archaic, Republican, Imperial and Late Antique periods. The patterns observed in provenance proportions and sherd distributions across regions suggest that different regions were affected differently by the changes associated with the increased integration of the Roman economy in the Imperial Period. These changes appear to be reflected in the increased consumption of imported African ceramics. This is in contrast to more locally produced Italian sherds, which maintain a more consistent presence. These trends can be observed to a certain degree in all regions, although the changes are particularly pronounced in the Pontine region. These results lead to the following tentative theory: the Pontine region, as a more centrally located destination, was better connected to more distant trade routes, and thus affected more readily by the large-scale societal and political shifts of the Imperial period. Another notable observation is the increased variance in sherds provenances in the Potenza valley as compared to the Pontine region. This could be potentially explained by the theory that the Potenza valley, as a more isolated and decentral region, relied more on more “off the cuff” trade, while the Pontine region relied more on centrally organised, “streamlined” trade networks. Finally, ceramics imported from outside the Italian peninsula tended to be found at or near the coast in all regions, indicating that ceramics traded along more distant routes were exchanged less in intraregional networks extending further inland. Despite multiple weaknesses, which were mainly related to the necessary standardisation of the database and the resulting loss of detail, this research has granted new insight into the discussion around the degree of integration in the Roman economy and paints a more nuanced image that differs from region to region.Show less
Pollen grains and spores have a highly resistant wall than can preserve over thousands of years. Using this characteristic, palynologist research the past environments and human-environment...Show morePollen grains and spores have a highly resistant wall than can preserve over thousands of years. Using this characteristic, palynologist research the past environments and human-environment relations. For archaeology this is crucial information and often a general part of research on a site. As was the case at the Bronze Age burial landscape at Oss-Gewandeweg. At this site, only remains of burial mounds were left due to agricultural levelling. The remaining features, circular ditch fills were sampled for palynological analysis. However, the samples were taken from a sandy depositional context which is unideal for pollen and spore preservation. In this thesis, the reliability of these samples is assessed. If the samples are not reliable they will portray an false vegetational reconstruction. This has scientific and social implications. Palynology is plays a role in the climate change debate and should be used wrongly because of this societal value. Two research questions have been formulated in order to fulfil this goal. The first research question was aimed to study the taphonomy of the palynomorphs and the effect the sandy depositional context had on the preservation. Besides the typical production bias and dispersal bias, the preservation context increases the differential degradation bias. The sand grains provide gaps through which water can leach and oxidize the pollen. The more oxidized the pollen are, the more susceptible to micro-organism attack. Biological degradation is thus also increased. The preservation states of the pollen in the samples also illustrated the poor preservation. The second research question included a comparative analysis between the ecological reconstruction based on the samples form Oss-Gewandeweg and Oss-Mettegeul, just five kilometres apart. The lower taxa diversity, absence of certain taxa and lower proportionality of certain taxa all point to a worse preservation context compared to the samples at Oss-Mettegeul. Recommendations for future research is to sample sediment which is dark-coloured and fine-grained. If samples from the Bronze Age ditch fill are required, phytolith analysis would be a great alternative. Phytoliths are inorganic and preserve better than pollen, spores and macrofossils.Show less
The god Aššur, the main god of the Ancient Assyrians, had two temples dedicated to him, of which the second temple is shrouded in mystery. The first temple was built in the capital city Aššur, and...Show moreThe god Aššur, the main god of the Ancient Assyrians, had two temples dedicated to him, of which the second temple is shrouded in mystery. The first temple was built in the capital city Aššur, and it was used for centuries, rebuilt and kept up by generations of kings. The second temple was built in a new capital, Kār-Tukulti-Ninurta, it was used for a couple of decades, and it was abandoned after the king who built it died. While much is known about this particular king, Tukulti-Ninurta I, not much is known about the function of his Aššur temple, nor why it was abandoned so quickly. To fill in this gap of knowledge, this thesis compares the two Aššur temples side-by-side based on their architecture, their recorded rationale, and their usage. Here I show how different the two temples are in their structure and what that meant for their usage, by drawing from the broader context of the Assyrian religion, the nature of the god Aššur, and his relationship with the Assyrian kings. The primary difference is their size, while further differences are seen in their style and lay-out, which likely correspond to differences in usage. I argue that its main purposes were threefold: it served as a (secondary) temple to Aššur, it was mainly used for processions, and the king felt a need to include the god Aššur in his new capital city due to the god’s importance in the capital city Aššur. Moreover, I argue that the second temple was abandoned because the god was too connected to the first temple to be moved, the main ceremonies and rituals could not be hosted due to its size so it became obsolete, and subsequent kings were not interested in using it. This is a relevant starng point for a deeper understanding of the god Aššur, why no further temples were dedicated to him, and in which ways the two temples dedicated to him are structurally different from other Assyrian temples.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to study the prevalence of tobacco pipe smoking habits among individuals from post-medieval North-Western European societies. This was researched by comparing the...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to study the prevalence of tobacco pipe smoking habits among individuals from post-medieval North-Western European societies. This was researched by comparing the prevalence of pipe notches among the post-medieval populations of Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The results of the osteological analysis of human remains excavated from eight cemeteries are used: for Great Britain, the cemetery used by a low-status population of London buried in the cemetery of St. Mary and St. Michael Church, and the cemetery used by the high and low socioeconomic status population in Birmingham; for Ireland, a cemetery of Kilkenny Union Workhouse used by people from middle and low socioeconomic groups and cemetery on Spike Island used for people from low socioeconomic strata; for the Netherlands, the cemetery of the Grote Kerk in Alkmaar used by citizens with high socioeconomic status and cemetery of the Grote Kerk in Den Haag used by low socioeconomic status citizens; for Belgium, the cemetery of St. Rombout Churchyard in Mechelen used by people with high and low socioeconomic backgrounds and the cemetery in Kruishoutem used by representatives of middle and low socioeconomic groups. The collection of representatives of different socioeconomic groups from various cultural communities is compared to each other for the estimation of the cultural, demographic, and socioeconomic trends in the habit of tobacco pipe smoking in post-medieval North-Western Europe. These populations were divided into two age groups and three sex groups for the statistical analysis. The results demonstrate that pipe smoking was most common among low-status male individuals from three North-Western European regions: Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium. In the Netherlands, a high prevalence of pipe notches is recorded among adult male representatives of high socioeconomic strata. Moreover, a significantly higher prevalence of pipe notches and, thus, the expected regular practice of pipe smoking is recorded in post-medieval Ireland. The estimated rates from Great Britain and the Netherlands are lower but also substantially higher than the prevalence recorded for post-medieval Belgium. These differences can be explained by the historical and cultural specificities of the regions. Therefore, these results further support the theory that social, economic, and cultural factors had a major influence on the Cross-European spread and subsequent integration of the tobacco pipe smoking tradition into North-Western European countries.Show less
In 2004, an excavation of a tumulus in Rembeç, Albania, uncovered several small metal finds. The finds mainly consist of earrings, rings, buckles, beads and knives, which are generally dated...Show moreIn 2004, an excavation of a tumulus in Rembeç, Albania, uncovered several small metal finds. The finds mainly consist of earrings, rings, buckles, beads and knives, which are generally dated between the 7th and 9th century based on the ceramic goods from the same archaeological context. By comparing these metal items to other similar finds from the southern Balkan and Greece, I have determined that the finds likely hold a Slavic connection. The earrings are similar to earrings found in Croatia, Bulgaria and along the Pindus mountains, reaching into southern Albania and Greece. One ring type found at Rembeç is similar to a set of rings from a female grave from the Slavic cemetery in Argolis, Greece, but the ring type was also found in Central European female Slavic graves. What makes the locations of the items similar to Rembeç’s metal finds so interesting, is that they all in some manner relate to the movement of Slavic groups. The Slavs had close connections with the Avars who moved into Croatia, and the Bulgars. These connections may have led to the development of a similar jewellery style which the Slavs then spread during their migration into Albania and Greece. Specifically the finds along the Pinuds mountains and in Argolis illustrate how Slavic groups may have moved along the mountain range, reaching locations like Rembeç, Rehova and Përmet in Albania, but also Evrytania, Phtiotis and Argolis in Greece. Here, they may have either settled, or traded the Slavic earrings with local populations. My research concerns itself with the concept of “identity creation”, which can be illustrated by the spread of these finds. Slavic influence at Rembeç is highly likely, but this does not have to include a permanent Slavic presence. It can also illustrate how those who used these items placed a certain value on these items, using them to communicate their sense of “self” to those around them. These people buried at Rembeç used these “Slavic” items to construct their identity, and in doing so they became an intrinsic part of their outward presentation that they were included as grave goods after their deaths.Show less
Decorated ceramics in Chontales, Nicaragua, have long stood within a research framework that centered their existence. However, up until the 1990s the biased approach to decorated ceramics...Show moreDecorated ceramics in Chontales, Nicaragua, have long stood within a research framework that centered their existence. However, up until the 1990s the biased approach to decorated ceramics emphasized macro-regional interaction without establishing a framework for local dynamics in Chontales. Without a local historical understanding, the ceramics solely became a part of a trend in narratives of cultural belonging and ethnic movement in Nicaraguan archaeology at large. As more recent approaches center on local human-environment interaction in the valley of Juigalpa, I have taken a similar approach in this thesis to reframe white slipped polychrome ceramics as a proxy for the regional exchange of ideas and finished goods. Here, I confirm the existence of (inter-)regional trade in finished goods in the form of white slipped polychrome ceramic vessels. Through a macroscopical and petrographic compositional approach, I analyze, and group 274 white slipped polychrome ceramics from the sites of Sabana Grande, Roberto Amador I and La Pachona. All three sites are in the valley of Juigalpa and have been dated to the period between 900 - 125o CE. Further interpretation through the criterion of abundance, communities and constellations of practice, and comparison to previous studies, allowed me to establish the presence of a local community of potters that produced white slipped polychrome ceramics in the valley of Juigalpa. This community is likely located within the Sabana Grande site cluster, and produced ceramics that make up about half of the white slipped polychrome ceramics recorded in the region. The ceramics are stylistically and compositionally most like the Pacific Nicaraguan Papagayo style. Non-local communities produced Vallejo, Pataky and Rivas-Ometepe complex polychrome styles that were traded into the valley of Juigalpa, inspiring the local potters and tying them into polychrome producing constellations.Show less
The evolutionary, dietary mismatch theory argues that our ancient, genetically controlled biology does not match with our current dietary intake. Two boundaries are drawn which presumably caused...Show moreThe evolutionary, dietary mismatch theory argues that our ancient, genetically controlled biology does not match with our current dietary intake. Two boundaries are drawn which presumably caused this. First, the adaptation of agriculture and second the industrialization of it. In order to conclude anything regarding the link between our current mental- and physical health and the modern-day diet, a better understanding of these past changes is needed. Since, there is no ‘one agricultural diet’, the diets of three agricultural sites were reconstructed and compared: the Neolithic site of Schipluiden (ca. 3630 to 3380 BC), the Medieval site of Leiden Aalsmarkt (ca. 1125-1862) and the modern diet based upon the 2012-2016 RIVM food survey. These were reconstructed using the concrete data of botanical- and zooarchaeological evidence, and stable isotope analyses. Secondly, the abstract factors that influences our daily food choices were considered. These factors are complex, interconnected, personal and situational and can be subdivided into the macro-, physical-, and social surroundings, and individual choices. The three researched diets showed differences. First, the reduction of food sources used, arguably caused by our biological neophilia, while being neophobic. Second the source of animal protein, with a decrease of fish, and increase of bird consumption. Furthermore, the average Dutch person only consumes the recommended amount of dairy. While for the past diets much remains inconclusive, more requirements seemed to have been met. Because many unhealthy food items, of which current consumptions need to be limited, did not exist in the past. The second showed that the factors that influence our food choices have not changed much, but what they entail, and their level of importance has. This can create mismatches, such as the creation of an obesity promoting environment, due to our biological need to search for high energy dense foods and the current availability of many cheap, unhealthy but energy rich foods. It furthermore shows that an accurate reconstruction of resources used, still will not show the entire diet. The many options in food choices and cuisine, is an indispensable aspect of the human diet in the past, and present.Show less
Roman Italy was the core of the Roman Empire during the Imperial period. Many Roman Italian cities were politically and socioeconomically influenced by the Roman rule that radiated from its capitol...Show moreRoman Italy was the core of the Roman Empire during the Imperial period. Many Roman Italian cities were politically and socioeconomically influenced by the Roman rule that radiated from its capitol. The outdated concept of ‘Romanization’ caused historians to believe the Roman rule came with a pure Roman culture that was imposed on conquered territories. However, more recently it has been suggested that this ‘Roman culture’ was not as uniform, but was an ongoing interaction between the cultures of indigenous peoples and Roman influences. One important aspect of culture is diet: the foods that people ate on a day to day basis. The diets of individual Roman Italian cities have been researched in the past. It is however unclear whether the diets in these cities were uniform, or more dependent on regional factors. This thesis aims to study the diet in three Imperial Roman Italian cities and compare them to each other. The inhabitants’ diets can be studied by looking at the ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes extracted from bone from human burials. Stable carbon isotopes can give insight in the types of plants that were eaten, while stable nitrogen isotopes can show the amount of animal products and seafood that was consumed. The isotopic data from the three cities was retrieved from the IsoArch database. Statistical analyses were performed to see if any differences within and between the cities were present. These analyses showed that in the Pompeii sample, there was a significant difference in marine food consumption between the sexes, possibly caused by a difference in gender roles. Between the cities, there were differences in the types of plants that were consumed, showing that perhaps Roman suburban citizens more often dealt with food shortages. In addition to that, the Ostia sample showed a significantly higher seafood consumption than the other two cities, which can be attributed to its location at the coast and the large trading harbour nearby. These results make us believe that the diet in Roman Italian cities was not as uniform, and not necessarily ruled by influences from the Roman rule.Show less
The study of molluscs in Spain has mainly been isolated to prehistory. The faunal assemblage of Tabacalera includes marine molluscs from the Roman, medieval and postmedieval layers. This thesis...Show moreThe study of molluscs in Spain has mainly been isolated to prehistory. The faunal assemblage of Tabacalera includes marine molluscs from the Roman, medieval and postmedieval layers. This thesis focuses on the analysis of the medieval and post-medieval period, as there is little research done in the wider region of Asturias regarding molluscs from these historical periods This site differs from other sites in neighbouring provinces (Galicia and Léon), where common species, like mussels and oysters are not part of the archaeological record. However, the assemblage mainly presents continuity throughout the different phases of the site, where most of shells were used for consumption, and with limpets as the most abundant species. The diet at Tabacalera does not heavily rely on molluscs but a more complete overview of the subsistence strategy can be derived from this analysis. This study also adds to the overall malacological research of Spain, especially with the identification of limpets to species level. This is done as a start of creating a more indepth archaeomalacological record, in which the differences between close-related species can be investigated.Show less
Remote sensing is widely applied within archaeological prospection. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the potential of remote sensing techniques in discovering archaeological remains....Show moreRemote sensing is widely applied within archaeological prospection. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the potential of remote sensing techniques in discovering archaeological remains. However, remote sensing data is influenced by external factors, such as climate, vegetation and moisture content. Not every remote sensing application is sensitive to each variable and detected anomalies can vary significantly between datasets. The latest trend involves the integration of remote sensing data to limit the possibility that archaeological features remain uncovered. An assessment of these external factors can be used to apply more targeted research at potential archaeological sites. Current prospection methods occasionally deliver poor results and a better understanding of external factors could lead to a significant decrease in time and money. This research aims at constructing a consolidated overview of two aerial imagery and four geophysical prospection techniques, their applicability in archaeological prospection and the ideal conditions to collect their respective datasets. The different techniques, namely thermography, multi-spectral imagery, ground-penetrating radar, geomagnetic survey, electromagnetic induction survey and earth resistance survey, are subjected to a comparative approach executed in the opensource application QGIS. A large number of anomalies were discovered and the best results were obtained with groundpenetrating radar, geomagnetic survey and earth resistance survey. The aerial imagery did not produce many results, which can be attributed to environmental and vegetation circumstances. The results essentially correspond with the findings of previous fieldwalking surveys. Nevertheless, the remote sensing techniques provided interesting insights into feature distribution patterns and the location of structural remains. This thesis provides a framework to assess the possibilities and limitations of remote sensing within archaeological prospection and shows the potential of using an integrative approach. However, this assessment also illustrates the research gap between the theoretical and practical application of remote sensing techniques within the archaeological field.Show less
