Please note: This course description is provisional and still subject to changes.
Admission requirements
The course will be taught in Dutch
None
Description
The south-west of the Netherlands is well-known for its occupation from the Roman period onwards, evidenced by the ample historical sites (Roman temples, ring-walled fortresses and submerged settlements). It was long assumed that habitation during late prehistory was limited or even absent. However, more and more evidence revealed that this region was more important than previously assumed. Find complexes, settlements and cemeteries, well preserved in the wetland setting, show an abundance of material culture, including a large ritual deposition, unparalleled in north-western Europe.
In this course, the Iron Age occupation of the province of Zeeland and beyond will be discussed in relation to the nearby sandy soils of Brabant, the wider region of north-western Europe, the dynamic environment in which people lived and its relationship to subsequent occupation in the Roman period. How did farmers survive in such a sometimes harsh landscape? What was their role in trade networks such as the salt trade? Was this region, comparable to the Roman Period, an important trading hub in the Iron Age? And how did the large ritual deposition fit into this, was it necessary for survival?
The course starts with two Introductory lecturers, after which you will work in groups on a region in Zeeland. Together, you will conduct desk-based research following the guidelines of the professional archaeology field. After this archaeological assessment, your group will develop a research proposal, including a budget, that aims to provide more insight into the theme and present it both orally and in a written report. We will conduct this in Dutch to practice the Dutch terminology.
Please note that this course will be taught in Dutch, as most of the literature and databases are in Dutch
Course objectives
Knowledge of the chronology, sites, material and cultures of the Iron Age in Zeeland and beyond, in the context of the occupation history of north-western Europe;
Knowledge of the changes in the landscape of the Dutch coastal zone and its impact on settling;
Understanding of site formation processes in a wetland setting;
Insight in the Dutch archaeological commercial practice;
Insight of the main challenges related to the prospection archaeology of Zeeland and beyond;
Ability to work in a team;
Ability to present and defend your results in class and in a written report.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.
Mode of instruction
Introductory lecture(s);
Practicals, in which we will look into the material culture and the Archis database;
Workgroups: groups will work under supervision in teams on a research area;
Based on (feedback to) the report all groups will compile a research proposal;
The research proposal will then be presented and finalized as a written group report.
Attendance to the workgroups is compulsory, because it involves group work, which only works when you are present. You are allowed to miss 1 workgroup, provided that you have notified the lecturers before the start.
Assessment method
30% Desk-based research
20% Presentation of the research proposal
50% Written research proposal
Reading list
The introductory sources are listed on Brightspace; the remainder must be added on your own.
Registration
Registration start dates for the BA2 seminars differ from the registration dates of the regular courses.
Registration will take place with the use of forms. These will be e-mailed by the Administration Office to all BA2 students at the beginning of October.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. R. (Richard) Jansen or dr. J.A. (Joanne) Mol.
Remarks
This seminar is also a preparation to the field project that will take place in January 2026