In M. Kars, F. Theuws & M. de Haas, The Merovingian cemeteries of Sittard-Kemperkoul, Obbicht-Oude Molen and Stein-Groote Bongerd, Merovingian Archaeology in the Low Countries 3 (Bonn) 10-25., 2016
In this chapter the spatial context of three Merovingian cemeteries in the south of the Netherlan... more In this chapter the spatial context of three Merovingian cemeteries in the south of the Netherlands is introduced. The cemeteries of Sittard-Kemperkoul (excavated by the ROB in the 1980s) and Obbicht-Oude Molen and Stein-Groote Bongerd (both excavated by Beckers & Beckers in the 1930s) are situated in the tallest part of the province of Limburg. For each of the cemeteries, the relation with the landscape and the surrounding Roman and Merovingian roads, settlements, cult places and cemeteries is explored.
The reduction of the length of chronological phases is still a major issue in the current chronol... more The reduction of the length of chronological phases is still a major issue in the current chronological debate in early medieval archaeology on the continent. Short phases imply a rapid and steady change of grave goods assemblages and are thought to support the assumption that the dead were buried with their inalienable personal possessions. This article explores the premises that relate to short phases and the chronological method of seriation, which excludes social variables as essential components of the dating process. Various modes of object exchange and transmission are therefore the next discussion in this article. It is suggested that the wide variety of movables from graves were more often subject to prolonged circulation than generally assumed. The discussion of exchange and transmission shows that the chronological debate can be extended with a theoretical component that reflects on the role of the pre-burial life of objects which contributes to the understanding of chronological results.
In M. Kars, F. Theuws & M. de Haas, The Merovingian cemeteries of Sittard-Kemperkoul, Obbicht-Oude Molen and Stein-Groote Bongerd, Merovingian Archaeology in the Low Countries 3 (Bonn) 10-25., 2016
In this chapter the spatial context of three Merovingian cemeteries in the south of the Netherlan... more In this chapter the spatial context of three Merovingian cemeteries in the south of the Netherlands is introduced. The cemeteries of Sittard-Kemperkoul (excavated by the ROB in the 1980s) and Obbicht-Oude Molen and Stein-Groote Bongerd (both excavated by Beckers & Beckers in the 1930s) are situated in the tallest part of the province of Limburg. For each of the cemeteries, the relation with the landscape and the surrounding Roman and Merovingian roads, settlements, cult places and cemeteries is explored.
The reduction of the length of chronological phases is still a major issue in the current chronol... more The reduction of the length of chronological phases is still a major issue in the current chronological debate in early medieval archaeology on the continent. Short phases imply a rapid and steady change of grave goods assemblages and are thought to support the assumption that the dead were buried with their inalienable personal possessions. This article explores the premises that relate to short phases and the chronological method of seriation, which excludes social variables as essential components of the dating process. Various modes of object exchange and transmission are therefore the next discussion in this article. It is suggested that the wide variety of movables from graves were more often subject to prolonged circulation than generally assumed. The discussion of exchange and transmission shows that the chronological debate can be extended with a theoretical component that reflects on the role of the pre-burial life of objects which contributes to the understanding of chronological results.
[In Dutch] Discussion and conclusion concerning the Merovingian cemeteray at Borgharen near Maast... more [In Dutch] Discussion and conclusion concerning the Merovingian cemeteray at Borgharen near Maastricht (Netherlands).
This book is a celebration of the work of prof. Dr. Frans Theuws and was published in conjunction... more This book is a celebration of the work of prof. Dr. Frans Theuws and was published in conjunction with the symposium held at the University of Leiden, June 29, 2018. It comprises of 38 archaeological papers from over 50 authors. They range from the Roman period, early medieval, early medieval in the near east, late medieval and modern archaeology. A great many reflect on the life and past achievements of Prof. Theuws.
In the second century AD in Borgharen near Maastricht (Netherlands) a Roman villa rustica was sit... 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 report presents the results of the 2008 and 2009 excavation campaigns and the following research.
The very meticulous way of excavating combined with the work of several specialist has given information not only about the villa, the graveyard and the burial ritual itself, but also about the formation processes. All kinds of methods are used, for instance Rontgen spectrometry to study the pigments in Roman plaster and Merovingian beads, physical anthropological research and study of DNA gave information about relationship of the buried people; study of (C14-dated) intrusive anaimals was very informative about formation processes.
The research was carried out by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) in cooperation with experts of the municipality of Maastricht, the University of Amsterdam, University of Leiden, and other institutes.
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The report presents the results of the 2008 and 2009 excavation campaigns and the following research.
The very meticulous way of excavating combined with the work of several specialist has given information not only about the villa, the graveyard and the burial ritual itself, but also about the formation processes. All kinds of methods are used, for instance Rontgen spectrometry to study the pigments in Roman plaster and Merovingian beads, physical anthropological research and study of DNA gave information about relationship of the buried people; study of (C14-dated) intrusive anaimals was very informative about formation processes.
The research was carried out by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) in cooperation with experts of the municipality of Maastricht, the University of Amsterdam, University of Leiden, and other institutes.