My current research (funded by a Cultuurfondsbeurs by the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, NL, 2020) concerns the architecture of the temple of Dionysos from Thorikos (Attica, Greece). As such, I am currently part of the Thorikos Archaeological Research Project (TARP) and affiliated to Ghent University, where I work together with Prof. Roald F. Docter. The objectives of this study are to gain a better understanding of the architecture and dating of the temple, which is located next to Greece's oldest stone theater, by studying the decorated architectural terracottas that have been excavated in 1886 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and in 1963 and 1965 by the Committee for Belgian excavations in Greece. By exploring the dating of the temple, I will also attempt to contribute to the discussion currently existing on the development of the theater district. The 3D modelling of both the terracottas and the temple as a whole will serve as a research tool.
I have a background in History (BA, Groningen University, 2017) and Archaeology (BA, Groningen University, 2017). Recently, I have obtained my Master's degree (Research Master Archaeology, Groningen University, 2020, cum laude). During my RMA and under the tutelage of Prof. Sofia Voutsaki and dr. Corien Wiersma, I have explored (early) Mycenaean archaeology from the Greek mainland, focusing particularly on funerary and settlement architecture. This has resulted in several research projects and publications on the funerary architecture of North Cemetery of the palatial settlement of Ayios Vasileios (Laconia), amongst which a paper that focuses on labour investment and social change, and several others (in press/in prep) about the VR-reconstruction of one of the excavated tombs. This reconstruction of 'Tomb 21' is currently on display as part of the DIG IT ALL-exhibition at the University Museum in Groningen.
Next to Mycenaean archaeology another interest lies with archaeological open-air museums, experimental archaeology, and in particular, the reconstructions of Mesolithic huts. I have organised with the Prehistorische Nederzetting Swifterkamp (2017) and with fellow students from the Werkgroep Experimentele Archeologie (WEAG, Groningen, 2018) two campaigns in which we attempted to reconstruct Mesolithic huts from the Netherlands. This prompted a research into the evolution of our perception of these huts - based on what data have they so far been reconstructed and how valid are these? For our efforts at Swifterkamp we have been awarded the Letteren Impact Award from the University of Groningen. Currently an exhibition is being prepared at Swifterkamp about Mesolithic huts in the Netherlands and their reception over the years.
I have participated in fieldwork projects in Greece (Ayios Vasileios: settlement excavation, palace excavation, field survey, with the University of Groningen; Thorikos, with the Universities of Ghent, Uppsala, Göttingen and Groningen), in Italy (Crustumerium: with the University of Groningen), in Israël (Hippos-Sussita: with the University of Haifa), in the Netherlands (Dalfsen, Dwingeloo: with the University of Groningen) and Germany (Bliesbrück-Reinheim).
Title Research Master thesis, graded 9/10: Towards Monumentality: Emerging Elite Architectural Complexes on the Middle Helladic and Late Helladic Greek Mainland
