How did people live in the Iron Age, long before the Romans left their mark on our landscape? Earth scientist Lisette Kootker is investigating this with the help of her Vidi grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
Although archaeologists have conducted extensive research on the Romans and their networks in recent years through projects like Constructing the Limes (C-Limes), the period before that remains largely a mystery. "With this new research project, we hope to change that. Using advanced isotope analyses of human and animal remains and metal artifacts, I want to map the migration and trade routes from the Iron Age. This will help us better understand how people, goods, and ideas spread from the Bronze Age to the Roman period," says Kootker.
Rewriting our history
For the first time, insights into the networks used by people in the Iron Age are being gained from multiple perspectives. "This is entirely new data that makes a valuable contribution to rewriting our history. Combining osmium isotope research with network analysis is a first, offering a new way to understand the complexity of human connections in prehistory," explains Kootker. The project utilises the latest analytical techniques made possible by the NWO financed NIGeL (The Netherlands State-of-the-Art Isotope GEochemistry Laboratory) facility at the Earth Science department. The researchers have access to a state-of-the-art laboratory with four new mass spectrometers. Two of these will be used to measure strontium, lead, and osmium isotopes in bone material and bronze objects.
Mapping the prehistoric world
"In addition, a rare portable laser ablation system, of which only a few exist in the world, is being used, allowing for minimally invasive sampling of museum-quality objects. The data obtained will be processed in a network analysis in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (Dr. Verhagen) at VU Amsterdam and the Faculty of Archaeology (Dr. Bourgeois) at Leiden University, an innovative approach that literally maps our prehistoric world."
Science for everyone
The project will not be confined to the laboratory walls. In collaboration with The Overdressed Archeologist, progress, methods, and discoveries will be actively shared via social media, allowing a wide audience to share in the discoveries. Citizen science events will also be organised, where metal detectorists can have their finds documented and sampled. Finally, a special exhibition will be presented at Museum Het Valkhof, bringing the story of the Iron Age and the latest research findings to life in an accessible way.
NWO Talent Program
The NWO Talent Program gives researchers the freedom to conduct their own research based on creativity and passion, encouraging innovation and curiosity. Researchers receive a maximum of €850,000.