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
