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
Neanderthals, once depicted as brutish and underdeveloped, have gained recognition and a more nuanced understanding in contemporary research. Recent advancements in archaeological tools and...Show moreNeanderthals, once depicted as brutish and underdeveloped, have gained recognition and a more nuanced understanding in contemporary research. Recent advancements in archaeological tools and methodologies, such as ancient DNA sequencing, fossil track analysis, and the study of cut marks and butchering practices, have shed light on the intelligence and social complexity of Neanderthals. However, these findings have not been synthesized into a cohesive framework, hindering a comprehensive up-to-date understanding of Neanderthal society. This thesis aims to address this gap by conducting a literature review of modern case studies that employ innovative methodologies, such as the ones previously mentioned. Drawing upon a primatological framework, which acknowledges the shared fundamental behavioural characteristics among both archaic and modern humans as primates, the study examines the social organization, social structure, and mating system of Neanderthals, which are terminology that can succinctly be used to describe any primate social system. Through the analysis of diverse case studies, it is estimated that Neanderthals lived in groups of fewer than 50 members, with some females migrating between groups for mating, while others staying in their natal group, leading to instances of incest. Genetic studies indicate that certain Neanderthal groups were isolated, suggesting a broad spatial cohesion among the groups with significant geographical separation, which likely resulted in close relatives mating with each other. However, this appears to be the case for Neanderthals living during a period of drastic climate changes, potentially bearing greater implications for their extinction. Regarding agonistic behavior, males exhibit lower intragroup aggression, while females display a dispersal-egalitarian pattern. Neanderthals demonstrated social integration capabilities with other hominid species, while the precise age and sexual composition of their groups remain a matter of future research. This study underscores the importance of current methodologies in uncovering the intricacies of Neanderthal society, providing valuable insights into their social organization and behaviour.Show less
This paper examines the factors that may potentially influence a specific selection of animal in the slate plaquettes of the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in the German Rhineland. Georges Sauvet...Show moreThis paper examines the factors that may potentially influence a specific selection of animal in the slate plaquettes of the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in the German Rhineland. Georges Sauvet identifies the dominance of the horse in Magdalenian parietal art within the Franco-Cantabrian region, and the associated animistic implications. The goal of my research was to observe if the same dominance was observable outside this region. The characteristics Sauvet defined as making a representation ‘prominent’ were modified for Gönnersdorf for the purpose of making a comparison. Prominent plaquettes were reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It was found that the Gönnersdorf assemblage did not bear close similarities to Sauvet’s conclusions, nor did they align with a specific animistic ontology. It is suggested that the prominence of the horse at Gönnersdorf is most visible in terms of the frequency of depiction, and the formal exemplarity of individual representations. The results indicated two potential alternate functions for the plaquettes: their use as a storytelling medium, and as a communicative aid for culturally separate hunter-gatherer groups aggregating at the site. It was stressed that these two functions may not only be related, but serve a dual purpose.Show less
Las Monedas is een grot in het noorden van Spanje. In de grot zijn in het Laat-Paleolithicum schilderingen aangebracht. Hiermee is het één van de 49 vindplaatsen uit het Laat-Magdalénien. Over de...Show moreLas Monedas is een grot in het noorden van Spanje. In de grot zijn in het Laat-Paleolithicum schilderingen aangebracht. Hiermee is het één van de 49 vindplaatsen uit het Laat-Magdalénien. Over de betekenis van grotkunst bestaan diverse theorieën. Er worden vijf theorieën besproken, en in de schilderingen van Las Monedas gezocht of deze eenduidig te verklaren zijn door één van de theorieën. In de eerste plaats wordt gekeken naar art for art’s sake. Volgens deze theorie zijn de schilderingen gemaakt omdat de makers het mooi vonden. In Las Monedas zijn duidelijke aanwijzingen dat dit niet het geval is; veel figuren zijn onafgemaakt of op weinig zichtbare plekken aangebracht. Ten tweede is er de theorie van de jachtmagie. Er zijn aanwijzingen voor jachtscènes in Las Monedas, maar de geschilderde figuren komen niet overeen met de gejaagde figuren. Als derde theorie word het structuralisme besproken. In Las Monedas komen dieren in paren voor, maar ze zijn niet op de verwachtte plekken aangebracht. Als vierde theorie wordt het shamanisme besproken. Hiervoor zijn in Las Monedas weinig aanwijzingen, aangezien er weinig relatie is gevonden tussen de schilderingen en de rotswand waarop ze zijn aangebracht. Tenslotte word ook de biologische interpretatie besproken. De afgebeelde figuren hebben een ‘graffiti-achtige’ uitstraling, maar zijn wel aangebracht op voor kinderen onbereikbare plaatsen.Show less
In this thesis a reduction model on the retouched blades of layer US04 (sup.) of Les Cottés was proposed. Reduction is the resharpening of an artefact to maintain a sharp, usable edge. It has been...Show moreIn this thesis a reduction model on the retouched blades of layer US04 (sup.) of Les Cottés was proposed. Reduction is the resharpening of an artefact to maintain a sharp, usable edge. It has been widely observed both in ethnographic studies as in archaeological cases. It served an argument in the Bordes-Binford debate on what caused the variability in Middle-Palaeolithic assemblages. Reduction is nowadays used to gain information on site functions, such as the use-life of tools, mobility, duration of occupation and raw material availability. In this thesis a model, based on typology, with different parameters was proposed. This model consists of three types of blades that are part of a continuum of lateral retouch. The site where the material originates from is Les Cottés, Vienne, France. This is a cave site with an excellent sequence covering both the Middle-Palaeolithic and the Upper- Palaeolithic. The layer where the material originates from is US04 (sup.), which dates to the Aurignacian. Results have been obtained through measuring and classifying artefacts. Measurements were taken with a calliper and a protractor. The results were rather unexpected. Most of the parameters did not follow their hypothesis. A reduction model on the retouched blades could not be confirmed. Several arguments were given on what might have been the cause. Those were 1. methodological aspects, 2. wrong defining of the parameters (and blank selection beforehand), and 3. the abundant raw material in proximity of the site. The level of reduction was generally low and pieces had a short use-life. This would suggest a high mobility and a short occupation span, but the proximity of abundant raw material should be considered. Suggestions for an adjustment to the model and suggestions for further research were given. A reduction model could, at least in this study, not be validated, however it was shown that the gained knowledge from these models is contributing to solving important archaeological issues regarding site functions.Show less
This study deals with the animal remains from the Carolingian monastery in Susteren. The animal remains were excavated from waste pits. Of the animals found, pigs are the most common, followed by...Show moreThis study deals with the animal remains from the Carolingian monastery in Susteren. The animal remains were excavated from waste pits. Of the animals found, pigs are the most common, followed by cattle and sheep/goat. Remains of wild animals and birds were also found. Almost all of these animals are used for consumption. Various elements are missing in the assemblage. Among these are the vertebrae and feet of cattle, pig and sheep/goat and the skulls of sheep/goat. There are also various elements which are found relatively often, among them are the mandibles of cattle, pig and sheep/goat and the tibias of sheep/goat and roe deer. The composition of the remains is extremely similar to that of the remains found inside a channel at the same site and were previously studied. There are also similarities in composition with material from the sites the Zutphense gravenhof and the English Flixborough. The presence or absence of certain elements can be caused by taphonomic processes. This does not work for all elements however. Food distribution seems therefore to play a part. This is emphasized by the similarities in element distribution at Flixborough. Here the same type of food distribution seems to have been present.Show less
Summary There are many differences between the Upper-Paleolithic, the period which is often associated with the Anatomically Modern Human, and the Middle-Paleolithic, a period which is often...Show moreSummary There are many differences between the Upper-Paleolithic, the period which is often associated with the Anatomically Modern Human, and the Middle-Paleolithic, a period which is often associated with the Neanderthal. One of those differences is the increased use of standardized bone tools in the Upper-Paleolithic. These standardized bone tools were used for very specific purposes. An example of such a standardized bone tool is the ‘lissoir’ (the smoother). The lissoir is a bone tool that was used to make hides more impermeable and lustrous and tougher. In 2013 Soressi et al. (2013) published an article in which it was stated that four lissoirs from the Middle Paleolithic from two different sites (Abri Peyrony en Pech de l’Aze) were found. Soressi et al. (2013) suggest that there was possibly a cultural diffusion from Neanderthals to Anatomically Modern Humans. To investigate this theory, the Middle Paleolithic lissoirs were compared with the lissoirs from the Aurignacian (a period in the Upper Paleolithic) in this research. This research is based on publicated lissoirs from Southwest France. For this research an extensive database was made, containing parameters which among others concerned; the site, the sizes and the morphology of the lissoirs, the material and the technology that was used to produce the lissoirs and the absence or presence of use-wear, weathering, root etching, gnawing, digestion and decoration. The database contains 52 lissoirs from 16 sites. The results of the research show us that there are multiple similarities and differences between the lissoirs from the Middle Paleolithic and the Aurignacian. However, because of a lack of data, the research question cannot be answered univocal: based on this research it cannot be refuted that the Neanderthals invented the lissoir and the Anatomically Modern Humans imitated the Neanderthals. New research, in which the lissoirs from the Aurignacian are studied, are necessary. The main items that should be studied about the Aurignacian lissoirs are the curvature, the animal species that were used to produce the lissoirs, the shapes of the fractures, the use-wear ont the lissoirs and the technology used to produce the lissoirs. This would make a comparison between the Aurignacian and the Middle Paleolithic lissoirs better.Show less
In 1976 is er te Wijchen – De Berendonck, gemeente Wijchen, begonnen met de opgravingswerkzaamheden die werden uitgevoerd in de aanloop naar de aanleg van een recreatiegebied. Onder de grondsporen...Show moreIn 1976 is er te Wijchen – De Berendonck, gemeente Wijchen, begonnen met de opgravingswerkzaamheden die werden uitgevoerd in de aanloop naar de aanleg van een recreatiegebied. Onder de grondsporen die in de eerste twee in dat jaar aangelegde werkputten zijn aangetroffen, bevonden zich een aantal paalsporenclusters. Hierin zijn vier mogelijke spiekers herkend, te weten twee vierpalige, één vijfpalige en één negenpalig exemplaar. Door middel van het dateren van het in een aantal paalgaten aangetroffen aardewerk, is getracht is deze spiekers van een datering te voorzien. Dit had ondermeer tot doel inzicht te verschaffen in de bewoningsgeschiedenis van dit deel van de site, alsmede een bijdrage te leveren aan het onderzoek van spiekers in het oostelijk rivierengebied van Nederland. Daarnaast zijn, ter ondersteuning van de bevindingen voor wat betreft de spiekers, aardewerkfragmenten uit omliggende paalsporen in de werkputten I en II onderzocht. De resultaten van dit onderzoek zijn vergeleken met die van andere delen van de opgraving, waar ook spiekers zijn aangetroffen en met de spiekers op enkele andere sites in de omgeving van Wijchen. Hierbij is gebleken dat de spiekerplattegronden in werkput I/II niet van een meer precieze datering voorzien konden worden dan dat zij vermoedelijk stammen uit de Late-Bronstijd tot Vroege-/Midden-IJzertijd. Dit vanwege het feit dat er tussen het onderzochte vondstmateriaal geen diagnostische aardewerkfragmenten zijn aangetroffen. Deze datering komt grotendeels overeen met de datering die is vastgesteld voor andere delen van deze opgraving, waarvan het vondstmateriaal in het verleden onderwerp van diverse scripties is geweest.Show less
Samenvatting In deze scriptie wordt onderzocht of de neolithische veenwegen in Noord-Nederland en Noordwest- Duitsland een rituele functie hebben gehad. Daartoe werd onderzocht welke neolithische...Show moreSamenvatting In deze scriptie wordt onderzocht of de neolithische veenwegen in Noord-Nederland en Noordwest- Duitsland een rituele functie hebben gehad. Daartoe werd onderzocht welke neolithische veenwegen in het gebied voorkomen, en welke vondsten met deze wegen in verband staan. Ook werd onderzocht of er aanwijzingen waren voor selectieve depositie. De in Noord-Nederland gelegen veenweg van Nieuw-Dordrecht wordt uitgebreid besproken. Deze weg lijkt blind te eindigen in het veen. Hier werden drie voorwerpen aangetroffen, die als depositie mogen worden geduid. Een schijfwiel, een object gelijkend op een hockeystick, en een bijlsteel. In het Lengeler Moor in Niedersachsen ligt veenweg XV (Le). Deze werd reeds in de jaren tachtig van de vorige eeuw opgegraven. Hier werden twee antropomorfe palen gevonden. Bij het Duitse Campemoor zijn de afgelopen twintig jaar zes neolithische veenwegen opgegraven. Van deze zes wegen zijn bij weg 32 Pr vondsten gedaan die wijzen op depositie. Hier werden twee runderhoorns gevonden. Ook werden scherven van aardewerk gevonden onder het wegdek. De verdeling van deze scherven wijst op bewuste depositie. Weg 31 Pr valt op door zijn hoge ouderdom, rond 4600 BC, en door de voor die periode zeer complexe constructie. Een belangrijk kenmerk van veengebieden is de overgang van land naar water. Hier wordt ook een symbolische betekenis aan toegekend, namelijk de overgang van het aardse leven naar het hiernamaals. In verband hiermee wordt aan deposities in veengebieden een rituele betekenis toegeschreven. Diverse van bij de veenwegen gevonden categorieën voorwerpen zijn reeds bekend van veenopgravingen, zoals runderhoorns en schijfwielen. Gezien deze gevonden voorwerpen bij de onderzochte neolithische veenwegen mag aan deze veenwegen een rituele betekenis worden toegekend. Daarnaast kunnen de wegen ook zijn gebruikt als platform voor rituele en sacrale activiteiten.Show less
Numerous recent studies have been focused on the last glacial period and its impact on human adaptation. The results turned out to be legitimately sufficient due to the relatively broad preserved...Show moreNumerous recent studies have been focused on the last glacial period and its impact on human adaptation. The results turned out to be legitimately sufficient due to the relatively broad preserved archaeological record (Gamble et al. 2004, 244-247). Nevertheless not all parts of the Palaeolithic Europe have been well investigated like Germany, France and the Iberian Peninsula. This BA thesis gives an insight in the Upper Palaeolithic hunter and gatherer societies of the Northwestern part of the Balkan, including Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), dating from 26.5ka to approximately 19ka calendar years ago. The primary research will discuss the hypothesis whether the latter named regions were a possible refugium for hunter and gatherer communities from north and central Europe. An inventory of Upper Palaeolithic sites located in the Northwestern Balkan region, provived a set of data including the faunal remains, the lithic industries and the stratigraphical sequences. The outcome resulted in a divided conclusion, on the one hand stating that all 7 sites included in the inventory yielded traces of hominid occupation corresponding with a frequently occupated Balkan region during the entire Last Glacial Maximum. The inventory data on the other hand, did not prove the presence or origin from Central European hominids. Whereas the traces of occupation could have also been from indigenous localities. More specialistic research focused on genetic DNA shall reveal these ambiguities in the future.Show less
De vondsten uit Wijchen-Berendonk behoren tot de zogenaamde 'werkvoorraad' van het Odyssee-programma. Deze werkvoorraad bestaat uit inventarisaties van oude (nood) opgravingen die nooit zijn...Show moreDe vondsten uit Wijchen-Berendonk behoren tot de zogenaamde 'werkvoorraad' van het Odyssee-programma. Deze werkvoorraad bestaat uit inventarisaties van oude (nood) opgravingen die nooit zijn uitgewerkt. Men heeft - verspreid over verschillende opgravingscampagnes - voor 4 jaar opgegraven tussen de periode van 1976-1980. Tijdens het aanleggen van enkele proefputten stuitten men al op enkele stukken vuursteen die destijds werden aangemerkt als 'Vlaardingencultuur'. Deze scriptie is met name gericht op het beantwoorden van enkele basale vragen als: waaruit bestaat het vuursteen en over welke cultuurgroepen/perioden spreken we? Uit het onderzoek bleek dat er met name uitgangsmatriaal, productiemateriaal en diverse werktuigen zijn gevonden. Verder bleek met zekerheid dat er Neolitisch materiaal aanwezig is maar er twijfel bestaat of er ook Mesolitisch en/of Bronstijd materiaal aanwezig voorkomt. Duidelijke bewoningspsoren - op basis van het onderzoek naar vuursteen - ontbreken voor zowel het Mesolithicum als het Neolithicum.Show less
Nowadays Great Brittain is separated from the European Continent by the North Sea. This, however, hasn’t always been the case. Due to sea-level changes as a result of climatic changes and the...Show moreNowadays Great Brittain is separated from the European Continent by the North Sea. This, however, hasn’t always been the case. Due to sea-level changes as a result of climatic changes and the cyclical repetition of glacials and interglacials the North Sea Basin has repeatedly been exposed to the open-air during the Pleistocene. Numerous finds, recovered by fishermen and dredgers while executing their work, indicate that this glacial plane was inhabited by a wide variety of animal species. It is beginning to become clear, due to the recovery of worked flint material, that early human must have been part of the inhabitants. The importance of the North Sea Basin for archaeological research has repeatedly been stressed. The archaeology in the seabed is threatened by several activities that affect the North Sea bottom. The trawling of fish boats, the construction of oil rigs and offshore windmill parks and the marine aggregate industry all have a huge effect on the seabed, possibly destroying archaeological remains while executed. The actual implementation of archaeological fieldwork as part of these bottom stirring activities is minimal and mainly focused on maritime archaeology. The goal of this thesis is to explore the possibilities for palaeolithic research in the North Sea Basin. It does so by analyzing archaeological research on-land and it’s possibilities for offshore archaeology and by evaluating different projects that have been set up over the last year to improve Paleolithic archaeological research on the North Sea bed over the border. In this way the strengths and weaknesses of the research as it is executed this days can be reviewed. The outcome should lead to new insights and a best-practice for setting up a solid archaeological research strategy before the execution of bottom disturbing activities. Crucial to this research strategy is a multidisciplinary approach in which the potential of all executed steps is explored. Recent research methods can be improved by changing the current focus on the object to a focus on the context of archaeological remains. Paleolithic material is useless without knowledge about the landscape and environment in which it has been used and deposited.Show less
In 1976, there were plans for a big golf resort in Wijchen-Berendonck. It was known that this piece of land was full with archaeology. A big excavation followed. In April 1976 a lined well was...Show moreIn 1976, there were plans for a big golf resort in Wijchen-Berendonck. It was known that this piece of land was full with archaeology. A big excavation followed. In April 1976 a lined well was found. The well was filled with hundreds of finds. These finds were stored in boxes in the faculty for archaeology in Leiden for 36 years! The journals of the excavation say that the well was lined with wattle work. Most of the finds are ceramics. The other finds were either too small or too fragile to be used as a dating marker. The dating of the well, which is solely based on the ceramic finds, must be around phase F of the Iron Age in the Netherlands. This date is the secondary use of the well as a refuse pit. The real date of the well, as a provider of drinking water, must have been before this.Show less
Doel van deze scriptie is de relatie tussen rock art en het landschap in de bronstijd te onderzoeken. Rock art is een geschikt medium voor een bredere studie naar de prehistorische samenleving en...Show moreDoel van deze scriptie is de relatie tussen rock art en het landschap in de bronstijd te onderzoeken. Rock art is een geschikt medium voor een bredere studie naar de prehistorische samenleving en de bewoning en het gebruik van het landschap. De regio Bohuslän in Zweden is als onderzoeksgebied gekozen daar er zich een grote concentratie rock art bevindt en er zeer gedetailleerde, recente onderzoeken beschikbaar zijn. Het rock art onderzoek in Bohuslän is van oudsher, maar zelfs tot op de dag van vandaag, geregeerd door het aardse paradigma. De laatste jaren is er een begin gemaakt met het vestigen van een nieuw maritiem kader. De meest voorkomende figuratieve motieven in Bohuslän zijn petrogliefen van boten. Het lijkt er op dat die op een betekenisvolle locatie aan de kust liggen. Ze wijken sterk af van de rock art uit de omgeving. De grootste rock art sites met de meeste afbeeldingen van boten zijn in de nabijheid van de kust gelokaliseerd, terwijl rock art sites met afbeeldingen van grote mensfiguren zich op de hoger gelegen gebieden bevinden. Zou het om een locatie kunnen gaan waar de lokale elite zijn reizen begon? De onderzoekers zijn het er over eens dat de samenleving in de bronstijd de vorm van een “chiefdom” heeft. Er zijn echter vele verschillende vormen van een “chiefdom”, van sterk hiërarchisch tot meer egalitair. De rock art kan ons een aanwijzing geven over de mate van hiërarchie binnen de “chiefdoms” en daarmee de sociale structuur van de samenleving in Bohuslän.Show less
In 1975 plans were made for a recreational park east of Wijchen. During the research of the area, it became clear that this place was of great archaeological interest. So it was decided that...Show moreIn 1975 plans were made for a recreational park east of Wijchen. During the research of the area, it became clear that this place was of great archaeological interest. So it was decided that excavation was necessary. The excavation commenced in spring 1976 and took several years. During the excavation two house plans were identified and great quantities of pottery collected. Unfortunately, there has been no documentation in the thirty years since the excavation with exception of site plans. Therefore there is a great shortage of information. In the past years some students did some thesis-research on the subject of Wijchen-Berendonck and they discovered that this site contained mainly Iron Age material. The houses have been dated to Early and Middle Iron Age as well. In this thesis a small part in the northwest of the site is studied. At this part of the site only two structures are evident: two small barns. The focus of this thesis is on the pottery found in four large pits. The results of this research indicate that the material is from the Iron Age also and so it is suspected that the collection also contains Early and Middle period. However this is not clear enough, which is due to the lack of information and documentation. To achieve more clearance in this project we need to wait for the research results of masterstudent Marloes Luijten, who is studying the rest of the site at the moment.Show less
