Admission requirements
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? And how did the large ritual deposition fit into this, was it necessary for survival?
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 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), after which we will discuss weekly themes, based on readings or assignments
Practical work (tutorials), in which we will look into the material culture and geological maps
Presentations, in which groups will present their research results
Assessment method
Group essay (50%)
Assignments during the practicals, including (group) presentations (50%)
Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.
Reading list
To be announced in Brightspace.
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 study advisers 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. Mol.
Remarks
We will try to include an excursion to the study area.
This seminar is also a preparation to the field project that will take place in January 2025.