In the post-medieval Netherlands (c. 1650 to 1850 CE), large socioeconomic differences within urban centres existed, which appear to correlate with the diet each socioeconomic group had access to....Show moreIn the post-medieval Netherlands (c. 1650 to 1850 CE), large socioeconomic differences within urban centres existed, which appear to correlate with the diet each socioeconomic group had access to. While low socioeconomic status (SES) often evokes the association of low body mass as a result of having little access to food, modern-day studies show that people living in poverty actually have a higher body mass than contemporaries of higher socioeconomic status. This thesis aims to study to what extend the relationship between body mass and socioeconomic status existed in the post-medieval Netherlands, with a focus on the role of diet and lifestyle. This was done by studying two post-medieval urban populations: one with a low SES from the Eusebiuskerk in Arnhem and one with a high SES from the Broerenkerk in Zwolle. Body mass was estimated by applying body mass estimation equations developed by Ruff et al. (2012) to measurements of the femoral head breadth. Statistical analyses were applied to compare the mean body mass between the high- and low SES samples. The males and females were compared separately. The results showed a positive relation between body mass and low SES. However, this relation was only statistically significant between the male samples. As males had more access to food because of their role in the household, the calorie-dense diet of low SES males could have allowed them to consume more calories than their high SES male counterparts who had access to a more varied diet with overall less calories. Low SES males furthermore performed more physically intense labour than the high SES males, increasing their muscle mass. Both female groups likely had less access to food in general, thus it is plausible that bottom line they consumed similar amount of calories. Also, both female groups would have mostly performed similar household tasks leading to no difference in muscle mass. Lastly, the femoral head is less responsive to changes in body mass in females which could attribute to these results. It can thus be concluded that that body mass can change as a result of status-differences in diet and labour. Based on the sites of Zwolle and Arnhem there seems to be a positive relation between low socioeconomic status and body mass in the post-medieval Netherlands.Show less
Estimation of stature is important because it can indicate health trends, diet, and evolution. Pablos et al. (2013) devised a new method using talar bones but has yet to be compared to the well...Show moreEstimation of stature is important because it can indicate health trends, diet, and evolution. Pablos et al. (2013) devised a new method using talar bones but has yet to be compared to the well-used method of Trotter and Gleser or the Fully method. This thesis compares these three methods using a Wilcoxon-signed rank test and descriptive analysis. The comparison shows that the Fully method statistically compares to the Trotter and Gleser method for the female sex, while not for the male sex. When comparing the Pablos et al. (2013) method test shows that the method does not compare statistically to the Trotter and Gleser method or the Fully method. When looking at the standard error range for both sexes the Trotter and Gleser method overlaps with both the Fully method and the Pablos et al. (2013). But the Pablos et al. (2013) method and the Fully method do not overlap.Show less
The many ceremonial and prestigious paraphernalia in both completed and semimanufactured states encountered at Tingi Holo have led researchers to conclude that the inhabitants were heavily involved...Show moreThe many ceremonial and prestigious paraphernalia in both completed and semimanufactured states encountered at Tingi Holo have led researchers to conclude that the inhabitants were heavily involved in crafting (Versteeg 2003). To research if this can also be observed in the part of the skeletal population of Tingi Holo that was excavated in 1963 by Geijskes, entheseal development, osteoarthritis and spondylosis have been studied in this thesis. A selection of studied skeletal elements has been made based on observations done by Becker (2016) on a female craftswomen from the Ch’iji Jawita Site in Tiwanaku, Bolivia. Following Sofaer (2006), the theoretical framework employed in this research is that of ‘the body as material culture’. This theory bridges the Cartesian divide by considering the bones of the human body as a material with a specific characteristic, which is it’s plasticity. This plasticity allows the bones to react to both natural influences, such as age, sex and disease, as well as social influences such as food consumption and activity. It is particularly applicable to this research for it acknowledges the unique way in which humans both shape and are shaped by the creation of their own material culture. To conceptualize the range of crafting activities and the divide of labour between men and women and old and young people, ethnographic and historic sources have been employed. Among the studied communities are the Maroni River Caribs of Suriname, the Barama River Caribs of British Guiana, the Wayana of French Guiana, the Waiwai of northern Brazil and British Guyana and the Xingū of central Brazil. Through their habits regarding crafting, some general trends have been inferred. Although men and women alike craft with all available materials, there is a distinction in the type of objects both are allowed to make. This becomes particularly clear when looking at ceremonial and prestige artefacts, which almost are always done by men. Old age was not observed to increase the status of craftspersons within the studied societies. Combining the results of the ethnographic and osteological data allowed for a meaningful conclusion about the activities of the Tingi Holo population. In accordance with the ethnography, men showed indications of being more involvedShow less
In this study, a selection of articles on trepanation in Pre-Columbian Peru were chosen to represent the four departments of Amazonas, Apurímac, Lima and Cusco. The available data was extracted...Show moreIn this study, a selection of articles on trepanation in Pre-Columbian Peru were chosen to represent the four departments of Amazonas, Apurímac, Lima and Cusco. The available data was extracted from these articles, and combined in order to greater understand the variations between the method, location, biological profiles and frequency of trepanations in Peru before the Spanish conquest. The survival rate for this sample, at 54% (n=136), suggests a lower rate than shown in previous studies. This result is discussed, in relation to surrounding issues within trepanation studies to understand the true implications of the results. The lack of available data, as well as the future improvements imaging technology encourage for further research into the subject of survival and the nature of Peruvian trepanations, hopefully exceeding the problems encountered in the making of this study, as well as previous studies, on trepanation.Show less
An inclusive model of community-based Indigenous physical anthropological research projects has been conducted by constructing dialogues between researchers and Indigenous descendant communities in...Show moreAn inclusive model of community-based Indigenous physical anthropological research projects has been conducted by constructing dialogues between researchers and Indigenous descendant communities in a global context. Acknowledging the ownership of Indigenous communities over the ancestral human remains, physical anthropologists often support repatriation by closely working with community members. However, in Japan, the repatriation of human remains of the Indigenous Ainu people has not successfully collaborated with physical anthropologists. The relationship between physical anthropologists and Ainu people who are being critical of the use of “stolen”, unethically excavated ancestral human remains on scientific research is in much tension and they are far from an inclusive model. This thesis addresses the issues surrounding the attempts of communication between these parties. By understanding the social and historical background of the situation, as well as comparing occasional dialogues and opinions of stakeholders with successful cases of an inclusive model in global context, I was able to identify the issues. Despite the acknowledgement of the rights of the Ainu over their heritage in the code of ethics, the attempts of making communication are insufficient in terms of the recognition of Ainu kotan (community) with their ownership over the ancestral remains, and there are misconceptions and ignorance between each other. In order to move forward towards an inclusive model, physical anthropologists should approach to the Ainu sincerely to construct dialogue by charanke, a discussion in Ainu manner. Understanding the specific demands and feelings of Ainu kotan and being aware the socio-political impacts of their research outcomes are also essential. Through these efforts, an inclusive model may be achieved in the future, working with the Ainu as sisamu, good neighbour.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
2017-12-31T00:00:00Z
This research focuses on understanding the influences of taphonomic processes on the interpretations of human-animal relations through the analysis of taphonomic markers on osteological remains...Show moreThis research focuses on understanding the influences of taphonomic processes on the interpretations of human-animal relations through the analysis of taphonomic markers on osteological remains from two Middle Bronze Age sites. The results of the archaeological, osteological and taphonomic aspects of this dataset are integrated and discussed. Four main research questions are proposed: 1) What types of Bronze Age features are present at the Andijk sites and how are these connected in their relative chronological framework? 2) Are there zones in the settlements signalling a heightened level of human-animal related practices and how can these be characterised? 3) What kind of activities are shown via the taphonomic markers on the osteological remains? 4) In what way(s) can the improved knowledge on taphonomic processes benefit the interpretations of Bronze Age subsistence and other human-animal related activities? Answering these different types of research questions will not only profoundly improve our current understanding of past human-animal related activities and the cultural mechanics behind these activities within Bronze Age settlements. Furthermore, the data contributes to comprehend to what extent taphonomic processes induced by various agents might alter the archaeological record.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to determine where individual CM 72B, buried at El Chorro de Maíta, Cuba, originates from. Characteristics as intentional cranial and dental modification, isotopic levels,...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to determine where individual CM 72B, buried at El Chorro de Maíta, Cuba, originates from. Characteristics as intentional cranial and dental modification, isotopic levels, and burial position indicate a non-local origin. This thesis focuses on cultural characteristics of the osteological remains and the burial of CM 72B. These cultural characteristics are part of the identity of an individual. Thus based on these markers it is possible to find a certain group of people that share these characteristics with CM 72B, and therefore share the same group-identity as this individual. The cranial modification of CM 72B (fronto-occipital parallel modification) occurs on a large scale in Mesoamerica, mainly the Maya lowland region. The dental modification of CM 72B is consistent with types A4 and C2 or C3 of a modification chart made by Romero Molina, that categorizes Mesoamerican dental modification into a standard typology. This type of modification mainly occurs in the coastal areas of the Yucatán peninsula and in Post-Classic Lamanai. The oxygen, carbon, and strontium isotopic values of individual CM 72B fall outside the local range of El Chorro de Maíta. This indicates a non-locale origin. CM 72B is buried prone with flexed legs to the back. This type of burial occurs on a large scale in Lamanai and Ambergris Caye (Both in Belize). By combining the areas where these characteristics occur altogether the possible origin of CM 72B could be Lamanai or on Ambergris Caye. CM 72B was probably taken during Spanish slave raids that occurred along the Belizean coast. The site San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) is the only known place along the Belizean coast where the prone burial practice still occurred during the contact period. San Pedro is located on the Caribbean sea side of Ambergris Caye it would have been an easy target for the Spanish Slave raiders. Therefore it could be that CM 72B was taken from San Pedro by the Spaniards and then taken to Cuba and forced to be part of the encomienda system.Show less
Skeletal and dental growth and development is investigated in 39 perinate and infant skeletons aged between 32 weeks gestation to 42 weeks after birth in order to determine the accuracy of three...Show moreSkeletal and dental growth and development is investigated in 39 perinate and infant skeletons aged between 32 weeks gestation to 42 weeks after birth in order to determine the accuracy of three ageing methods and to assess possible periods of increased stress in the sample. The skeletal remains belong to a recently excavated, partly documented cemetery, from Middenbeemster, a rural village in the Netherlands, dating mainly to the nineteenth century. Three ageing methods were chosen to be evaluated, the accuracy of which had not been systematically investigated: 1) the deciduous Demirjian stages by Liversidge and Molleson (2004); 2) the dental height regression equations by Liversidge and colleagues (1993), and; 3) skeletal age estimation using 26 measurements form 18 different bones utilising six different standards (Black and Scheuer 1996; Fazekas and Kósa 1978; Maresh 1955; Molleson and Cox 1993; Saunders et al. 1993; Scheuer and McLaughlin-Black 1994). Accuracy of the methods is tested on a subsample of ten individuals for whom age at death is known from the Beemster district archives, and the results are further evaluated using the entire sample. Results from individuals of known age indicate high levels of accuracy for skeletal age and dental height with mean difference to chronological age of only -0.4 and +0.6 weeks, respectively. The deciduous developmental stages significantly overestimate chronological age by +5.5 weeks. These observed trends are confirmed in the entire sample were age was compared to the sample mean. In neonatal remains, skeletal age is most accurate regardless the standards used, but for post-neonates only the Maresh (1955) standard provides accurate results (+1.9 weeks). Dental developmental stages are more accurate in individuals less than two months (+2.4 weeks), increasing in older individuals to +5.2 weeks. Dental height gave an outstanding performance with consistent high levels of accuracy in neonatal (+1.6 weeks) and post-neonatal remains (+0.15 weeks), making it the preferred method for age estimation in the infant category. The mortality pattern followed a normal declining curve with the greatest percentage of individuals dying during the neonatal period. Skeletal development lagged behind dental development by about one month in almost 70% of the individuals, showing a trend of an increasing amount of delay with age. But differences in age between skeletal and dental development were not unambiguously pointing to a stress induced delay and more research is needed to clarify the observed trends. This thesis provides new information on the accuracy of dental and skeletal ageing methods of infant remains and should guide our application of these methods in future research of north-west European skeletal samples.Show less
Determining the sex of subadults is seen as important for osteology and social studies. Within osteology several methods exist to determine the sex of subadults, but all these methods are under...Show moreDetermining the sex of subadults is seen as important for osteology and social studies. Within osteology several methods exist to determine the sex of subadults, but all these methods are under discussion. Often, the researchers who created the methods had high accuracies, but when it was later on retested by other researchers, the accuracy rates dropped. Within this research twelve non-metric methods were tested on known-sex subadults from Middenbeemster (n = 43). The twelve non-metric methods of this research are the elevation of the auricular surface, the greater sciatic notch angle, the greater sciatic notch depth, the arch criterion, the iliac crest, the protrusion of the chin, the anterior dental arcade, the eversion of the gonion region, the complete mandible, the mentum, the mandibular angle and the orbital morphology. The accuracy rates for each method were calculated and in addition separate accuracy rates were obtained for the pelvis, the skull and the overall skeleton. All the obtained accuracy rates were low. In addition, the statistical analyses indicate that the methods cannot be used to determine the sex of subadults. These low accuracy rates might be explained through with several factors. A population difference between the Middenbeemster sample and the sample of the other researchers might explain the low accuracy rate. In addition, some researchers have proved that there is less sexual dimorphism in Dutch populations than in other populations. Disease and malnutrition can also cause low accuracy rates. And inter- and intraobserver error can also cause low accuracy rates. In addition, this research was limited by a small sample and a overrepresentation of females within the sample. A division in five age groups made clear that there might be several methods that are age-related and not sex-related. It seems that the twelve non-metric method cannot be used to determine the sex of subadults, but more research is needed to get a better understanding of these methods.Show less
Body mass increases when nutritional status increases and decreases when there is a lack of essential nutrients. Bone is a dynamic organ that continuously undergoes a process involving bone...Show moreBody mass increases when nutritional status increases and decreases when there is a lack of essential nutrients. Bone is a dynamic organ that continuously undergoes a process involving bone absorption and formation. Previous research has focused on average body mass estimations or pathological responses to body mass extremes. However, limited research has been done towards body mass estimation accuracy when body mass falls under an extreme. In the summer of 2011, the laboratory for human osteoarchaeology and the Dutch archaeological company Hollandia excavated a cemetery in Middenbeemster, The Netherlands. This skeletal population is unique since the cemetery could be linked to detailed historical information, including age, sex, and cause of death. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of body mass extremes in the 19th century skeletal population. Furthermore, it has been studied whether the age related features experience influence from body mass and whether pathological lesions known to be associated with body mass have a correlation with body mass in the Middenbeemster skeletal population as well. Body mass estimations have been made with both the femoral head diameter and stature-bi-iliac breadth (STBIB). The age estimations, to assess the influence of body mass on age related features, have been made with both pubic symphyseal morphology and auricular surface morphology. The age estimations were compared to the true age at death, which were available from historical data. Special care has been taken in interpreting the results, because confounding factors may have caused bias. It appeared that the skeletal population of Middenbeemster was composed of primarily normal and overweight individuals, with a significant difference among males and females. Furthermore, there has not been a significant influence of body mass on age related features in this skeletal sample. The correlation of pathological lesions known to be associated with body mass was not significantly correlated with body mass in this skeletal sample. Together with other research, this study will be part of the enormously detailed historical framework of the population of 19th century Middenbeemster.Show less
It is generally known that the Dutch are tall. However, this has not always been the case. In 2005 Maat published an article tracing back trends in average Dutch male stature. In this article data...Show moreIt is generally known that the Dutch are tall. However, this has not always been the case. In 2005 Maat published an article tracing back trends in average Dutch male stature. In this article data from 21 different samples were included, of which only one came from a rural population. This study introduces a second rural population into the mix. The stature of both the males and females of Klaaskinderkerke is assessed and compared to the available material. In addition the different stature estimation methods are compared to each other. The material consists of 37 individuals excavated in 1959 at the site of the cemetery of the former village Klaaskinderkerke. The cemetery roughly dates to 1100 to 1600 and was hit repeatedly by floods. Sex was estimated, as well as age and stature. There were more males than females (27 males, 9 females, 1 indeterminate), which is difficult to explain. Probably the damage caused by the floods and the excavation technique affected the male-female distribution. The stature estimation method published by Breitinger (1937) yielded significantly different results from the method published by Ousley (1995). Breitinger (1937) differed significantly from all methods where the higher statures were concerned. In the female methods, no significant different results were found. The average stature from the males from Klaaskinderkerke was slightly higher than the average statures from the other sites, except for the site of Maastricht and Scheemde, which both delivered exceptionally tall men. This can be explained by the social background of both populations. When the statures of Klaaskinderkerke were separated based on burial location (inside versus outside church), it was found that these two groups differed significantly in average stature. The average stature from the men within the church compared well to the men from Maastricht and Scheemda, while the average stature from the men outside the church compared well to the men from the only other rural site, Hellevoetsluis.Show less
