Oratie uitgesproken door Prof.dr. L.W.S.W. Amkreutz bij de aanvaarding van het ambt van bijzonder hoogleraar Public Archaeology vanwege Rijksmuseum van Oudheden aan de Universiteit Leiden op... Show moreOratie uitgesproken door Prof.dr. L.W.S.W. Amkreutz bij de aanvaarding van het ambt van bijzonder hoogleraar Public Archaeology vanwege Rijksmuseum van Oudheden aan de Universiteit Leiden op vrijdag 1 maart 2024 Show less
Hurk, S. van den; Sikström, F.; Amkreutz, L.W.S.W.; Bleasdale, M.; Borvon, A.; Ephrem, B.; ... ; Barrett, J.H. 2023
Taxonomic identification of whale bones found during archaeological excavations is problematic dueto their typically fragmented state. This difficulty limits understanding of both the past spatio... Show moreTaxonomic identification of whale bones found during archaeological excavations is problematic dueto their typically fragmented state. This difficulty limits understanding of both the past spatio-temporal distributions of whale populations and of possible early whaling activities. To overcomethis challenge, we performed zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry on an unprecedented 719archaeological and palaeontological specimens of probable whale bone from Atlantic Europeancontexts, predominantly dating fromca3500 BCE to the eighteenth century CE. The results showhigh numbers of Balaenidae (many probably North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)) andgrey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) specimens, two taxa no longer present in the eastern NorthAtlantic. This discovery matches expectations regarding the past utilization of North Atlantic rightwhales, but was unanticipated for grey whales, which have hitherto rarely been identified in theEuropean zooarchaeological record. Many of these specimens derive from contexts associated withmediaeval cultures frequently linked to whaling: the Basques, northern Spaniards, Normans,Flemish, Frisians, Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians. This association raises the likelihood that earlywhaling impacted these taxa, contributing to their extirpation and extinction. Much lower numbersof other large cetacean taxa were identified, suggesting that what are now the most depletedwhales were once those most frequently used. Show less
Neolithic societies in the Dutch wetlands are characterised as “extended broad-spectrum hunter-gatherers”. They adopted agricultural elements only gradually and wild resources continue to play an... Show moreNeolithic societies in the Dutch wetlands are characterised as “extended broad-spectrum hunter-gatherers”. They adopted agricultural elements only gradually and wild resources continue to play an important role in subsistence. However, the exact duration of the process of neolithisation in the Dutch wetlands is debated. We analyse the taxonomic diversity of faunal assemblages from the late Mesolithic and Neolithic in the Netherlands. We demonstrate that the diversity of exploited faunal resources remains remarkably constant throughout the Neolithic. We interpret this to show that the reliance on an extended broad-spectrum economy was not a transitional phase, but was a viable economic system in its own right. Show less
Niekus, M.J.L.T.; Kozowyk, P.R.B.; Langejans, G.H.J.; Ngan-Tillard, D.; Van Keulen, H.; Van der Plicht, J.; ... ; Dusseldorp, G.L. 2019
Wij zijn recente migranten in een jong land. Voor onze voorouders hierheen kwamen, leefden hier neanderthalers. Uitgerekend de eerste Nederlandse neanderthaler werd niet óp het land, maar in zee... Show moreWij zijn recente migranten in een jong land. Voor onze voorouders hierheen kwamen, leefden hier neanderthalers. Uitgerekend de eerste Nederlandse neanderthaler werd niet óp het land, maar in zee aangetroffen. De grijze Noordzee verhult namelijk een van de rijkste prehistorische landschappen van Europa. Show less
Amkreutz, L.W.S.W.; Verpoorte, A.; Waters, A.L.; Niekus, M.; Heekeren, V. van; Merwe, A. van der; ... ; Johansen, L. 2018
Recent studies emphasise the mosaic character of the process of neolithisation in north-western Europe. However, some overarching motives influencing the uptake of farming can be identified across... Show moreRecent studies emphasise the mosaic character of the process of neolithisation in north-western Europe. However, some overarching motives influencing the uptake of farming can be identified across regions. We model the importance of evolutionary processes underlying neolithisation. We focus on the southern part of the Low Countries, where the uptake of agriculture follows distinct trajectories in different biomes. We analyse the transition in terms of fitness benefits that foraging and agriculture bestow on the actors involved. We suggest that different substrates offer different fitness benefits with regard to the uptake of farming and that these benefits differed between the sexes, leading to differing “optimal” strategies for males and females regarding whether and how to adopt Neolithic innovations. Show less
The adoption of agriculture is one of the major developments in human history. Archaeological studies have demonstrated that the trajectories of Neolithisation in Northwest Europe were diverse.... Show moreThe adoption of agriculture is one of the major developments in human history. Archaeological studies have demonstrated that the trajectories of Neolithisation in Northwest Europe were diverse. This book presents a study into the archaeology of the indigenous communities involved in the process of Neolithisation in the Lower Rhine Area (5500-2500 cal BC). It elucidates the role played by these in relation to their environmental context. This work brings together a comprehensive array of excavated archaeological sites in the Lower Rhine Area and indicates that the successive Late Mesolithic, Swifterbant culture, Hazendonk group and Vlaardingen culture societies represent a continuous long-term tradition of inhabitation of the wetlands and their margins. After demonstrating the existence of a diverse Mesolithic background to Neolithisation, the subsequent developments are studied by foregrounding the relationship between local communities and the dynamic wetland landscape. This points to long-term flexible behaviour and pragmatic choices in livelihood, food economy and mobility. For the interpretation of Neolithisation this study emphasises the persistent traditions of the communities involved. New elements are shown to be attuned to existing hunter-gatherer practices. By documenting indications of the mentalité of the wetland inhabitants, it is demonstrated that their mindset remains essentially ‘Mesolithic' for millennia. Show less