Energy Landscapes in the Rhine Meuse delta

Abstract

Through all periods of history, humankind has always had a dependency on energy. Because of technological innovations in energy use and land use, the relationship between humans and landscape has developed extensively over time. Throughout history, several transitions in energy use can be identified; a shift from one primary energy source to another. This research attempts to determine whether coring research can contribute to archaeological research regarding energy regime transitions. The study area for this thesis will be the central part of the Rhine Meuse delta, situated in the Netherlands, also known as the Dutch river area, focused on the Late-Holocene history. Results show that the concept of energy landscape and the behavioral drive energy management provides within society is an excellent framework to study the past, as one of the most important elements in human history is society’s relation with the surrounding landscape