Concrete, inherent to modernist architecture, possesses agency. Its ambivalent properties have diverse material effects on the spectator. Drawing on Ingold’s ‘anthropology of materials’, the... Show moreConcrete, inherent to modernist architecture, possesses agency. Its ambivalent properties have diverse material effects on the spectator. Drawing on Ingold’s ‘anthropology of materials’, the framework of the social life of materials allows to interpret sociocultural implications of material manifestation. Within the underdeveloped domain of autocratic modernist architecture, this discussion of the case of the Shayad/ Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran aims to illustrate how the material properties of concrete produce ambiguous experiences which are reflected in the design-strategies of the monument. The materiality of the Shahyad monument emits experiences of modernity and ancientness at the same time, which aligns with the design-strategy and ideology of the Pahlavi regime. Evoking imperial continuity, the Shah rooted his modern vision of Iran’s future national identity in the permanence of Persian civilization. Yet, the highly malleable properties and agency of concrete have made the monument an active locus of power which continues to shape Iranian society after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Show less
Thousands of concrete bunkers, built during the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, are scattered all over Albania. Previously, they have mostly been examined on the basis of their symbolic... Show moreThousands of concrete bunkers, built during the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, are scattered all over Albania. Previously, they have mostly been examined on the basis of their symbolic meanings, but not on their materiality. This essay investigates this materiality by exploring the concept of material agency and examining concrete, the bunkers’ defining material. During the ‘bunkerisation’ of Albania, concrete’s agency was somewhat limited. The communist dictatorship could use the material at their will. It was after the dictatorship however, that concrete’s agency became apparent. As a result of concrete’s properties the bunkers are now involuntary monuments to the past. Show less
Ceramica argentata stands out in Etruscan ceramic production, particularly for its dialectical blending of two worlds into a finished product, metallurgy and ceramic production. Modern research on... Show moreCeramica argentata stands out in Etruscan ceramic production, particularly for its dialectical blending of two worlds into a finished product, metallurgy and ceramic production. Modern research on the topic primarily focuses on explaining the production sites and the step-by-step process of the production method. Recent developments in new materialist thought offer a new perspective on past analyses of ceramica argentata; the focus of this article is to demonstrate the applicability of material engagement theory (MET) on ceramica argentata to shed new light on the relationship between maker and material. This article combines past research on physicality, production and production sites with MET and the notion of prehension to break down previous delineations between mind and material, and frame new conversations around ceramica argentata. In doing so, this contribution aims to foster further conversations regarding agency and how it is produced, highlighting the role of sense-scapes and the mind as having no a priori location. Show less
By adopting a perspective inclusive of material agency, this article explores the ways in which the affordances of wood influenced its use in the crafting of North Island Māori waka taua hulls in... Show moreBy adopting a perspective inclusive of material agency, this article explores the ways in which the affordances of wood influenced its use in the crafting of North Island Māori waka taua hulls in the eighteenth century. In a practical sense, the wood itself was much more involved in the crafting of these vessels than has previously been considered in archaeological analyses, which have typically focused on the symbolic meanings of materials as opposed to the effects of their physical properties. A chaîne opératoire framework is used to outline the major steps the Māori of the North Island followed to craft waka taua hulls, incorporating the agency of wood expressed as affordances in order to complement and expand upon the previously human-centric scope of this methodology. The inclusion of material agency within the methodology makes it possible to map the ways in which both the material and the Māori carvers shaped the production of the material culture. Show less
It has been assumed that during the late fourteenth and into the fifteenth century, beer replaced wine as the preferred beverage in the areas around the Low Countries and Germany. Authors like... Show moreIt has been assumed that during the late fourteenth and into the fifteenth century, beer replaced wine as the preferred beverage in the areas around the Low Countries and Germany. Authors like Raymond van Uytven, Susan Rose, Max Nelson and Richard Yntema have all demonstrated how this change is reflected in the historical records. The focus of this article is to study how this change from wine to beer consumption may be reflected in the material record. To study this, research has been conducted on the most common material from the fourteenth to seventeenth century: stoneware. A use-function approach was used to gather information about characteristics of drinking vessels, with further information gathered from historical illustrations. Once gathered, these characteristics work as guidelines to apply the specific use-function of either wine or beer consumption to individual vessels. This catalogue of characteristics can then be applied to datasets of stonewares. These characteristics were applied to a dataset of stoneware assemblages from Nijmegen, Dordrecht and Deventer reported in Cities in Sherds (Bartels 1997). These assemblages were classified based upon use. The results from this data indicate an increase in wine vessels after the fourteenth century, contrary to what the historical record has indicated. Future studies in the field could focus on developing more accurate methods to identify vessels. This research could potentially be used as a starting point for future enquiries into the nuances of beverage preferences in the late medieval period. Show less
By employing a tailored methodology of predictive modelling, this paper uncovers factors influencing Roman farmers’ decisions on where to settle in the Somme (modern department in northern France).... Show moreBy employing a tailored methodology of predictive modelling, this paper uncovers factors influencing Roman farmers’ decisions on where to settle in the Somme (modern department in northern France). Few studies have devoted efforts towards this goal, as the Somme displays a relatively smooth topography, giving the impression that its site location patterns were homogeneous. The results of this study indicate that the physical landscape did influence site location: rural settlements were more often located in flat areas or gentle valley slopes near rivers. Socio-economic factors, such as the accessibility of local markets, however, seem to hold even more influence over site location than the physical landscape, since the preference for well-connected areas appears for all types of farms. If all areas could be settled by Roman farmers, well-connected areas were therefore viewed as more suitable than others. Show less
During the last decades, a large amount of research has been carried out concerning Neo-Assyrian palaces. The most well-known features of these palaces are the wall reliefs that adorned the palace... Show moreDuring the last decades, a large amount of research has been carried out concerning Neo-Assyrian palaces. The most well-known features of these palaces are the wall reliefs that adorned the palace walls, which have been extensively studied as well. These wall reliefs are mainly studied in isolation, often focussing on the iconography of the images and their meaning, without looking at their spatial context. The aim of this study is to investigate the purpose of the wall reliefs in the Northwest Palace of Nimrud, combining both the images depicted on the wall reliefs and their spatial context. Since the wall reliefs are often associated with ideologies and propaganda, this study will investigate other possible functions of the wall reliefs as well. First, the wall reliefs and the suites in which they are located will be considered, in order to see if a connection can be detected between them. Second, the wall reliefs will be examined in connection to the rooms that had the same function. Show less
Welcome to the 2017 issue of INTER-SECTION: Innovative approaches by Junior Archaeological Researchers. In this issue, we present a total of five papers written by archaeology students in close... Show moreWelcome to the 2017 issue of INTER-SECTION: Innovative approaches by Junior Archaeological Researchers. In this issue, we present a total of five papers written by archaeology students in close collaboration with their academic referees, reflecting the wide range of both research and teaching at Leiden's Faculty of Archaeology from the the BA to the MA level. Show less
Heritage is a dynamic concept. The significance of heritage and the values attributed to it differ from person to person. This has influence on how we deal with heritage and the decisions we make... Show moreHeritage is a dynamic concept. The significance of heritage and the values attributed to it differ from person to person. This has influence on how we deal with heritage and the decisions we make in heritage preservation. In the heritage sector, values assessments have gained attention in academic research on international level. However, a better understanding of the values attributed to archaeological heritage by different groups of stakeholders is needed to better respond to the various perspectives on heritage values in heritage preservation and public archaeology projects. More knowledge about stakeholders’ values and interest will also contribute to effective stakeholder engagement practices. This study contributes to this by means of a values assessment and stakeholder analysis of two case study projects, Archaeological Park Matilo in Leiden and Castellum Hoge Woerd in Utrecht. Show less
The period of the Industrial Revolution brought major changes in nutrition, lifestyle, and living conditions in London. These changes are conducive to the development of osteoporosis in the... Show moreThe period of the Industrial Revolution brought major changes in nutrition, lifestyle, and living conditions in London. These changes are conducive to the development of osteoporosis in the population. Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease, which is characterised by increased bone porosity, and may result in more fragile bones and fractures. The World Health Organisation has identified osteoporosis as one of the most prevalent diseases in the modern world, however archaeological sources remain mainly silent on the subject. Data from London provided by the Museum of Archaeology London (MOLA) is compared to observe whether there is a change in prevalence of osteoporosis between the Medieval and post-Medieval period. This research shows that if advanced techniques, such as radiography, are incorporated within the osteological analysis more osteoporosis cases are found within the archaeological record. Structural incorporation of modern techniques will provide new insights in past populations. Show less
The endurance running hypothesis proposes that the anatomical features observed in the genus Homo evolved to increase long distance running capabilities. Proponents of this theory argue that the... Show moreThe endurance running hypothesis proposes that the anatomical features observed in the genus Homo evolved to increase long distance running capabilities. Proponents of this theory argue that the need for nutrient-dense high quality food packages to sustain a larger brain and body size would require Homo to a suite of anatomical features that would allow running over sustained periods of time. This paper investigates the skeletal indicators associated with endurance running within the fossil hominin archaeological record. Data on the character of these skeletal indicators in Plio-Pleistocene hominins was analysed from the literature. A complete suite of anatomical features related to endurance running is not seen until Homo ergaster at 1.8 million years ago. However, a mosaic of these features is present in earlier Australopiths. This, combined with the lack of evidence for long range projectile weapons in the Pleistocene, indicates notion that anatomical changes observed in early Homo evolved to increase running capabilities. Show less
The Zapotec Cocijo effigy vessels excavated from Monte Albán, Mexico are great in number and yet very little is known about the purpose and meaning of these objects. A lack of available data on the... Show moreThe Zapotec Cocijo effigy vessels excavated from Monte Albán, Mexico are great in number and yet very little is known about the purpose and meaning of these objects. A lack of available data on the provenance of the Cocijo effigy vessels causes difficulty for any sort of research that is conducted on them. Regardless, in this paper an attempt is made to formulate a different methodology through which these effigy vessels may be interpreted. Data on three effigy vessels originating from the same tomb on Monte Albán will be analysed in light of the Zapotec worldview during the Classic period (200CE -- 800CE) and the meanings that were ascribed to the primary directions within this worldview. The three vessels which are examined in this study are aligned with each other within the tomb and all are oriented with their face to the east, the realm of life, and their backs to the west, the realm of death. Therefore it is suggested that there exists a connection between the position and orientation of the in situ Cocijo effigy vessels and the worldview of the Zapotec people. Show less
In Western Europe many Roman finds have been retrieved from wet locations. A possible explanation for why these finds, often still useable, ended up there is the association of wet places with... Show moreIn Western Europe many Roman finds have been retrieved from wet locations. A possible explanation for why these finds, often still useable, ended up there is the association of wet places with liminality. In this article, the concept of liminality will first be elaborated with a focus on places that are in-between (cosmological) worlds, and that are both natural and artificial. In this regard, an example of the former is the river Rhine, which formed a part of the Limes frontier (between the Roman world and everything else), while the Corbulo channel may be seen as an example of the latter. In contrast to the majority of Roman helmets found along the Lower Rhine Limes the Matilo mask was discovered during an excavation, which allows a thorough analysis of its depositional context. Such finds, and the Matilo mask itself, have frequently been interpreted as depositions by soldiers after their military service to thank the Gods for their protection. This paper however, attempts to show that the interpretation of these ritual practices in terms of liminality is also possible. As a consequence, interpretations of mask finds and contexts that are similar to that of the Matilo mask might need to take liminality into consideration as well. Show less
It is with great pleasure that we present to you the second volume of INTER-SECTION: Innovative Approaches by Junior Archaeological Researchers. This journal emanates from the observation that... Show moreIt is with great pleasure that we present to you the second volume of INTER-SECTION: Innovative Approaches by Junior Archaeological Researchers. This journal emanates from the observation that student research, which is carried out conforming to high theoretical and methodological standards, is generally only read by a handful of people. Our aim is to make student research performed at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, available to a broader public by stimulating these junior archaeologists to channelize their ‘fresh’ and innovative ideas and practice into short, focused articles. Reviews conducted by renowned external scholars further aid in the improvement of these papers and provide invaluable experience for a future academic career. The product of another cycle of writing, reviewing, rewriting and editing lies here in front of you. We wish you a happy and interesting read with our present volume! Show less
Archaeologists encounter cultural deposits on a daily basis. One possible method for demonstrating formation processes, and potential contextual re-positioning of particular deposits is by looking... Show moreArchaeologists encounter cultural deposits on a daily basis. One possible method for demonstrating formation processes, and potential contextual re-positioning of particular deposits is by looking at arthropod remains. Many members of this phylum are likely to be preserved in the archaeological record due to their sturdy chitinous exoskeletons. They are highly abundant in practically any habitat, which makes them very suitable for formational reconstructions. This article proposes a conceptual model to link arthropod assemblages to cultural formation processes. By defining the systemic contexts as domestic, peridomestic and natural, and the archaeological context as an urban archaeological pit containing waste, the movement of deposits can be traced through the ecological implications of the present arthropod remains. The distance between the original systemic context and the archaeological context defines four different sub-assemblages. These are then further divided into groups that show the relationship with human activities to separate the natural from the cultural formation process and indicate the type of deposit based on synanthropicity. Furthermore, a number of niche groups are distinguished to indicate the material contents and characteristics of a deposit. Reconstructing the origins and characteristics of these deposits allow for a better understanding of site formations and the functions of pits. Especially when there is no visible stratigraphic succession at the time of excavation, high resolution ecological information can shed light on the stratigraphy of a pit. Show less
Cemeteries from the Central and Late Middle Ages have not yet been studied extensively, even though cemeteries can provide interesting information about societies. This study assesses patterns in... Show moreCemeteries from the Central and Late Middle Ages have not yet been studied extensively, even though cemeteries can provide interesting information about societies. This study assesses patterns in the ways that individuals were buried at the central medieval cemetery of Reusel (the Netherlands). It was examined whether patterns in grave morphologies and distribution were different from burial practices in other medieval cemeteries. In order to do this, the distribution of different grave morphologies and their orientation were examined. Different grave morphologies appeared all over the cemetery, apart from the ladder gravetype, which was restricted to the eastern part of the churchyard. Differentiation was also apparent in the orientation of graves. One woman was buried in a priest-like position. Such patterns suggest that social differences between individuals were expressed by burial in different parts of the cemetery, and by burial in different types of graves and orientations. Furthermore, this study confirms the existence of local variation in burial practices in this period. Show less
During the last decades growing attention has been paid to the way ‘space’ is organised in both houses and settlements and the way that this organisation influences human life. The study of ‘space’... Show moreDuring the last decades growing attention has been paid to the way ‘space’ is organised in both houses and settlements and the way that this organisation influences human life. The study of ‘space’ as an important force in the shaping of social processes, identities and other aspects of life has become as important for understanding past societies as the study of their artefacts and architectural remains (Blake 2004, 234). Spatial studies have revealed patterns of social interaction and deeper insights into the functioning of settlements, neighbourhoods and houses (e.g. Stöger 2011; 2014). The article presented here builds on pioneering studies by applying similar methods in a thus far unexplored area as it seeks to shed light on various aspects of Olynthian society in Northern Greece through a spatial examination of its built and non-built environment. Especially since the siege and subsequent destruction of the city by Philip II’s army had important consequences for the state of the material record, the employment of spatial analyses offers an additional perspective on Olynthos’ urban life, and more precisely on movement, social activity areas and matters of social control and privacy in the city’s streetscape. Show less
Using case studies from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, this article discusses the collection of molluscs and the production of salt in the Gulf of Fonseca in the Late Classic and Early... Show moreUsing case studies from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, this article discusses the collection of molluscs and the production of salt in the Gulf of Fonseca in the Late Classic and Early Postclassic. Based on the case studies, different models of procurement and redistribution are presented: specialized in-settlement production, centralized production and redistribution, and, finally, procurement and redistribution through seasonal mobility. These models are used to discuss the technical traditions associated with the foraging of resources, and furthermore used to present hypotheses on how the challenge was met in different localities. In this perspective, I explore the advantages of the Gulf region for economic activities. I also discuss the role of the environment for foraging techniques and distribution practices. This article relates directly to other ethnoarchaeological and archaeological salt studies from neighbouring areas. Moreover, it aims to present compiled information from three countries to give a regional overview as a first step towards the documentation of the Gulf of Fonseca as an entity. Show less
