- VU University Amsterdam
Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands - +31 20 598 72 91
Lisette Kootker
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, Department Member
- Bioarchaeology, Archaeological Science, Stable Isotope Analysis, Human Osteology, Faunal Analysis, Zooarchaeology, Isotopes and Migration, and 9 moreStrontium Isotope Analysis, Stable oxygen isotopes in bioapatite, Palaeodiet, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotopes, Physical Anthropology, Osteoarchaeology, Paleodiet, and Human Osteoarchaeologyedit
Strontium isotope analysis has been successfully applied to archaeological questions of residential mobility and animal husbandry for over three decades. To obtain a full understanding of variations in archaeological samples, spatial... more
Strontium isotope analysis has been successfully applied to archaeological questions of residential mobility and animal husbandry for over three decades. To obtain a full understanding of variations in archaeological samples, spatial variations in bioavailable strontium should be accurately mapped or inferred. This paper presents the first archaeological bioavailable strontium map of The Netherlands. The map is compiled solely from archaeological enamel samples of rodents and selected mammals as they are considered to provide the best proxy of bioavailable Sr. The diversity of the Dutch geological subsurface is directly reflected in the spatial distribution of 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Six isoscapes are defined: A) Lower terrace of the river Meuse (0.7074–0.7091, n = 2); B) Marine and river Rhine sediments (0.7088–0.7092; n = 85); C) Holland peat area, Kempen and northern sand areas (0.7091–0.7095, n = 14); D) Rur Graben (0.7095–0.7105, n = 11); E) Push moraines (0.7095–0.7110, n = 7) and F) Northern and southern loess areas (0.7104–0.7113, n = 15). Although individual isoscapes may show some overlap, the mean of each isoscape is statistically significant different, except for zones D and E. Five other geological environments yielded no archaeological data, mainly due to poor preservation in acidic soils. To fill this data gap, additional biosphere samples will be collected and analysed. This approach, however, will require validation of the extent to which specific floral are offset compared to the average archaeological bioavailable strontium. The base map presented here now allows such a detailed assessment of potential offsets in the 87Sr/86Sr recorded by different proxies at the regional scale.
Research Interests:
During the last couple of decades, excavations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have uncovered many artefacts from post-medieval contexts made of elephant ivory. Historical and archaeological sources show the import of great quantities of... more
During the last couple of decades, excavations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have uncovered many artefacts from post-medieval contexts made of elephant ivory. Historical and archaeological sources show the import of great quantities of elephant ivory by the Dutch West India Company to the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These sources, however, mention only the West African coast, and the Gold Coast in particular, as the source of this ivory and do not shed any light upon the exact locations from which the ivory originated. In order to try to better determine the geographical origins of post-medieval ivory found in Amsterdam, multi-isotope analyses were conducted on twenty-one samples from objects excavated by the Office for Monuments & Archaeology. The results are the first of their kind for West Africa and suggest that ivory was derived from elephants that inhabited different parts of coastal and interior West Africa.
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Excavation in and around a Medieval church in Gammertingen, Germany, revealed the skeletal remains of eight individuals dating to the 10th and 11th century AD. Archaeologists hypothesized that the individuals were the first members of a... more
Excavation in and around a Medieval church in Gammertingen, Germany, revealed the skeletal remains of eight individuals dating to the 10th and 11th century AD. Archaeologists hypothesized that the individuals were the first members of a family later known as the Counts of Gammertingen, a medieval high nobility family. In an interdisciplinary approach, Strontium isotope and ancient DNA techniques were performed in order to test the hypothesis that the church was used as a family burial site and to investigate the provenance of family members. Seven of the eight individuals can be placed in a three-generation genealogy. The isotope analyses establish that the eighth individual had a different birthplace and possibly became a member of the Counts of Gammertingen through marriage. Further, genetic data revealed that distant relatives of the paternal lineage are still present in this area today. Thus, the combined results lead to a very detailed knowledge about a 1000-year old noble family.
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In the second century AD in Borgharen near Maastricht (Netherlands) a Roman villa rustica was situated on a gravel bed in the flood plan of the river Meuse. After the villa was abandoned and most of the building material was cleared away,... more
In the second century AD in Borgharen near Maastricht (Netherlands) a Roman villa rustica was situated on a gravel bed in the flood plan of the river Meuse. After the villa was abandoned and most of the building material was cleared away, in the 6th and 7th century the same spot was used as a cemetery.
The very meticulous way of excavating combined with several specialisms (for example: physical anthropology, ancient DNA and stable isotopes research, archaeozoology) has given information not only about the villa, the graveyard and the burial ritual itself, but also about the formation processes, relationship and provenance of the buried peopl. Careful study of two horse skeletons made clear that these were ritually killed by a fatal stab in the heart; et cetera.
- 2015b: R. Lauwerier, J.-W. de Kort, E. Altena, L. Kootker, R. Panhuysen & I. van der Jagt : Merovingians at Borgharen : Digging into a listed monument near Maastricht (Netherlands), in: A. Willemsen & H. Kik (eds.), Golden Middle Ages in Europe: New Research into Early-Medieval Communities and Identities, Proceedings of the Second ‘Dorestad Congress’ held at the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands, 2-5 July, 2014, Turnhout: Brepols Publishers.
The very meticulous way of excavating combined with several specialisms (for example: physical anthropology, ancient DNA and stable isotopes research, archaeozoology) has given information not only about the villa, the graveyard and the burial ritual itself, but also about the formation processes, relationship and provenance of the buried peopl. Careful study of two horse skeletons made clear that these were ritually killed by a fatal stab in the heart; et cetera.
- 2015b: R. Lauwerier, J.-W. de Kort, E. Altena, L. Kootker, R. Panhuysen & I. van der Jagt : Merovingians at Borgharen : Digging into a listed monument near Maastricht (Netherlands), in: A. Willemsen & H. Kik (eds.), Golden Middle Ages in Europe: New Research into Early-Medieval Communities and Identities, Proceedings of the Second ‘Dorestad Congress’ held at the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands, 2-5 July, 2014, Turnhout: Brepols Publishers.
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Stable isotope analysis has been applied to cattle remains recovered from a Neolithic causewayed enclosure in western France.
[In Dutch] Discussion and conclusion concerning the Merovingian cemeteray at Borgharen near Maastricht (Netherlands).
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"""Rachel Schats1, Lisette M. Kootker2, Gareth R. Davies3 and Menno L.P. Hoogland1 1 Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology, Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology,Reuvensplaats 3, 2311 BE Leiden, The Netherlands 2 VU University... more
"""Rachel Schats1, Lisette M. Kootker2, Gareth R. Davies3 and Menno L.P. Hoogland1
1 Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology, Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology,Reuvensplaats 3, 2311 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
2 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 VU University Amsterdam, Department of Earth Science, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The cemetery of the Franciscan monastery in the Dutch city of Alkmaar, dating from 1448 to 1572, was excavated by Leiden University in 2010. Unexpectedly, two mass graves, containing 22 and 9 individuals respectively, were uncovered. It is proposed that these are related to the siege of Alkmaar by Spanish forces in 1573 during the Dutch Revolt. Physical anthropological analysis shows that the individuals in the larger mass grave were all male, of a relatively young age, and had a high percentage of pre-existing trauma. Osteological and DNA analysis (in the case of two subadults and one ambiguous adult) show that the smaller mass grave contains both males and females of various ages. In addition, the osteological analysis showed evidence of gunshot trauma in four individuals. Based on these results, it is proposed that the individuals in the larger mass grave are fallen soldiers, possibly from outside Alkmaar, while the individuals in the smaller mass grave are likely to be local civilian victims. Strontium isotope analysis was performed to gain more information about the provenance of the individuals. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of two individuals in the larger mass grave and three individuals from the smaller mass grave were incompatible with the local bioavailable strontium signal. This paper will present the osteological and isotopic results in detail and discusses the implications for the interpretation of the human demographics involved in an important violent historical event in Dutch Medieval history."""
1 Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology, Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology,Reuvensplaats 3, 2311 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
2 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 VU University Amsterdam, Department of Earth Science, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The cemetery of the Franciscan monastery in the Dutch city of Alkmaar, dating from 1448 to 1572, was excavated by Leiden University in 2010. Unexpectedly, two mass graves, containing 22 and 9 individuals respectively, were uncovered. It is proposed that these are related to the siege of Alkmaar by Spanish forces in 1573 during the Dutch Revolt. Physical anthropological analysis shows that the individuals in the larger mass grave were all male, of a relatively young age, and had a high percentage of pre-existing trauma. Osteological and DNA analysis (in the case of two subadults and one ambiguous adult) show that the smaller mass grave contains both males and females of various ages. In addition, the osteological analysis showed evidence of gunshot trauma in four individuals. Based on these results, it is proposed that the individuals in the larger mass grave are fallen soldiers, possibly from outside Alkmaar, while the individuals in the smaller mass grave are likely to be local civilian victims. Strontium isotope analysis was performed to gain more information about the provenance of the individuals. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of two individuals in the larger mass grave and three individuals from the smaller mass grave were incompatible with the local bioavailable strontium signal. This paper will present the osteological and isotopic results in detail and discusses the implications for the interpretation of the human demographics involved in an important violent historical event in Dutch Medieval history."""
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Linda Mbeki1, Lisette M. Kootker1,2, Allan G. Morris3, Henk Kars1 & Gareth R. Davies2 1 Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands 2 Deep Earth Cluster, VU... more
Linda Mbeki1, Lisette M. Kootker1,2, Allan G. Morris3, Henk Kars1 & Gareth R. Davies2
1 Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2 Deep Earth Cluster, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3 Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Observatory 7935, Cape Town, South Africa
1 Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2 Deep Earth Cluster, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3 Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Observatory 7935, Cape Town, South Africa
Research Interests:
Lisette M. Kootker1,2, Raphaël G.A.M. Panhuysen3, Eveline Altena4, Roel C.G.M. Lauwerier5 & Gareth R. Davies2 1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;... more
Lisette M. Kootker1,2, Raphaël G.A.M. Panhuysen3, Eveline Altena4, Roel C.G.M. Lauwerier5 & Gareth R. Davies2
1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; lisette.kootker@vu.nl
2 VU University Amsterdam, Deep Earth Cluster, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Archaeological Centre, Turfdraagsterpad 9, 1012 XT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4 Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
5 Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Cultural Heritage Agency, PO Box 1600, 3800 BP Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Little factual information is available on the history of the European population during the transition from the Late Roman to the Merovingian period. Nineteenth-century historiography created an image of large scale migrations of ethnic groups during this period. Recent archaeological studies have provided evidence that this image needs to be moderated. Multidisciplinary studies of burial sites from this period provide the opportunity to study the mechanisms by which sites become inhabited, what was the provenance of the individuals and how they were related.
On the floodplain of the River Meuse close to Maastricht two burial sites have been excavated. The Borgharen-Daalderveld burial site consists of 11 graves dating from the late 4th and the 5th century AD. Nearby the Borgharen-Pasestraat cemetery was situated on top of the remains of a Roman villa. Twenty-three graves of this cemetery have been excavated and they date from the second half of the 6th and the 7th century AD.
Dental enamel of 15 individuals was sampled for Sr isotope analysis, aDNA samples of five individuals were analysed. Isotope analyses reveal large isotopic differences between the buried populations of both investigated burial sites. Preliminary results show direct child-parent relationships in at least two burials. Moreover, strontium isotope analyses point to different geographical birthplaces for a father versus daughter. In addition, isotope analyses also reveal large isotopic differences between the buried populations of both investigated burial sites, indicating a possible shift in population composition between the 5th and 6th century AD.
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1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; lisette.kootker@vu.nl
2 VU University Amsterdam, Deep Earth Cluster, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Archaeological Centre, Turfdraagsterpad 9, 1012 XT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4 Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
5 Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Cultural Heritage Agency, PO Box 1600, 3800 BP Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Little factual information is available on the history of the European population during the transition from the Late Roman to the Merovingian period. Nineteenth-century historiography created an image of large scale migrations of ethnic groups during this period. Recent archaeological studies have provided evidence that this image needs to be moderated. Multidisciplinary studies of burial sites from this period provide the opportunity to study the mechanisms by which sites become inhabited, what was the provenance of the individuals and how they were related.
On the floodplain of the River Meuse close to Maastricht two burial sites have been excavated. The Borgharen-Daalderveld burial site consists of 11 graves dating from the late 4th and the 5th century AD. Nearby the Borgharen-Pasestraat cemetery was situated on top of the remains of a Roman villa. Twenty-three graves of this cemetery have been excavated and they date from the second half of the 6th and the 7th century AD.
Dental enamel of 15 individuals was sampled for Sr isotope analysis, aDNA samples of five individuals were analysed. Isotope analyses reveal large isotopic differences between the buried populations of both investigated burial sites. Preliminary results show direct child-parent relationships in at least two burials. Moreover, strontium isotope analyses point to different geographical birthplaces for a father versus daughter. In addition, isotope analyses also reveal large isotopic differences between the buried populations of both investigated burial sites, indicating a possible shift in population composition between the 5th and 6th century AD.
"
Research Interests:
Lisette M. Kootker1, Gareth Davies2 & Henk Kars1 1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 VU University Amsterdam, department of petrology, De Boelelaan... more
Lisette M. Kootker1, Gareth Davies2 & Henk Kars1
1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2 VU University Amsterdam, department of petrology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author email address: lisette.kootker@ vu.nl
Migration has been subject to research and debate for many decades and has become a key component of archaeological thinking. The original concepts of waves of migration in archaeology were based upon the dispersal of cultural artefacts. This approach led to an active debate about the extent to which the archaeological record represents the actual movement of people or the diffusion of ideas. A new perspective on this debate is provided by the discipline of archaeological science. In addition to aDNA studies, the application of isotope ratios, in particular those of strontium, of mineralized tissue (bone, dentine (ivory) and enamel) is used to study migration, specifically at the individual level. Isotope research in archaeology has matured over the last three decades, proved its potential in numerous studies, and is nowadays one of the most innovative research fields in archaeological science.
Despite its international success and proven potential, isotope research has rarely been applied in Dutch archaeology. The major contributing cause is the absence of a bioavailable strontium isotope distribution map of The Netherlands, which is a fundamental component for data interpretation. This PhD project therefore focuses on the collection of data to create this isotope distribution map. Based on this map, the spatial variation in bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr in The Netherlands will be evaluated and the applicability of isotope geochemistry as a proxy for interregional mobility will be assessed. The data and the bioavailable strontium distribution map ultimately will lead to more insight into the cultural diversity of ancient populations throughout The Netherlands.
1 VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2 VU University Amsterdam, department of petrology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author email address: lisette.kootker@ vu.nl
Migration has been subject to research and debate for many decades and has become a key component of archaeological thinking. The original concepts of waves of migration in archaeology were based upon the dispersal of cultural artefacts. This approach led to an active debate about the extent to which the archaeological record represents the actual movement of people or the diffusion of ideas. A new perspective on this debate is provided by the discipline of archaeological science. In addition to aDNA studies, the application of isotope ratios, in particular those of strontium, of mineralized tissue (bone, dentine (ivory) and enamel) is used to study migration, specifically at the individual level. Isotope research in archaeology has matured over the last three decades, proved its potential in numerous studies, and is nowadays one of the most innovative research fields in archaeological science.
Despite its international success and proven potential, isotope research has rarely been applied in Dutch archaeology. The major contributing cause is the absence of a bioavailable strontium isotope distribution map of The Netherlands, which is a fundamental component for data interpretation. This PhD project therefore focuses on the collection of data to create this isotope distribution map. Based on this map, the spatial variation in bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr in The Netherlands will be evaluated and the applicability of isotope geochemistry as a proxy for interregional mobility will be assessed. The data and the bioavailable strontium distribution map ultimately will lead to more insight into the cultural diversity of ancient populations throughout The Netherlands.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Sinds de vondst in 1931 van een door mensen gemaakt artefact door de Engelse zeillogger “Colinda”, is het bekend dat er ooit mensen op de Noordzeebodem “ronddwaalden”. In de jaren daarna zijn, met name door Nederlandse sleepnetvissers... more
Sinds de vondst in 1931 van een door mensen gemaakt artefact door de Engelse zeillogger “Colinda”, is het bekend dat er ooit mensen op de Noordzeebodem “ronddwaalden”. In de jaren daarna zijn, met name door Nederlandse sleepnetvissers gedurende de laatste decennia van de vorige eeuw, enkele tientallen menselijke fossielen en een honderdtal door mensen vervaardigde artefacten aan wal gebracht. De Noordzeebodem werd dus niet alleen bevolkt door mammoeten, neushoorns, hyena’s, etc. maar ook door mensen. Maar welke mensen waren dat en wanneer leefden ze?
Research Interests:
During June-July 2011, the cemetery of the Franciscan monastery in the Dutch city of Alkmaar was excavated. Unexpectedly, this late medieval graveyard dating between 1448 and 1572 revealed the presence of two mass graves, containing 22... more
During June-July 2011, the cemetery of the Franciscan monastery in the Dutch city of Alkmaar was excavated. Unexpectedly, this late medieval graveyard dating between 1448 and 1572 revealed the presence of two mass graves, containing 22 and 9 individuals respectively. Upon discovery, it was hypothesised these were related to the siege of Alkmaar by the Spanish forces in 1573 during the Dutch Revolt. During this period, the city was protected by foreign soldiers known as Beggars. Historic accounts confirm deaths amongst the citizens of Alkmaar as well as amongst the soldiers. The physical anthropological analysis conducted at Leiden University showed some interesting preliminary results. All but one of the individuals were of the male sex and of a relatively young age, ranging from 14 to 30 years old. Moreover, most skeletons, including the single female, were very robust with heavy muscle attachments. In addition, several of the individuals displayed traumatic injuries such as gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, both healed and peri-mortem. Furthermore, the vertebral columns of the majority of the skeletal remains showed signs of strain on the lower back. Based on these preliminary findings, the mass graves are most likely comprised of the remains of soldiers or people with military background. Whether the individuals are indeed the foreign Beggars that defended the city will be further researched by the means of strontium isotope analysis.