Saddha Cuijpers

Telephone +31 20 59 87295
E-mail saddha.cuijpers@falw.vu.nl 

Expertise

Saddha Cuijpers specialises in cremated human remains, especially histological methods. Her key interests are in:
- histological species differentiation between human and animal bone fragments
- histological age determination of human bone fragments.
- possibilities of histology in archeozoology

Saddha Cuijpers has worked on various projects involving fragmentated human and animal remains. She has published in International Journal of  Osteoarchaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Anatomischer Anzeiger and Helinium.

Recent projects

• Differences between human and animal diaphyseal bone structure: In addition to the
  PhD study, the diaphyseal bone structure in three animal species, deer, bear and dog, will
  be investigated and compared with human bone structure. Aim is to extent the use of
  the developed histological identification method on unburnt and burnt diaphyseal
  bone fragments.
• Exploring the possibilities of species distinction in skull and rib bones: This study will
  explore the possibilites of histological species identification when dealing with rib and
  skull bone fragments. Aim is to extent the use of histology as an identifcation when
  dealing with unburnt and burnt bone fragments.
• Identification of oxen metapodial bone structure:  In the PhD study a difference was
  observed in a small series of oxen metapodia. This study will enlarge the reference
  series of oxen metapodia to look further into the possibilities of
  histology as an identification method for the use of cattle as draught animals.
• Quality assessment of cremated remains, determining their potential for
  further analysis, and physical anthropological determination of cremated
  remains from different time periods.

Selected Publications

• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M. (2010) Differentiating between horses and cattle bone fragments: a histological identification method for archaeology, GBS 12.
• D.J. Huisman, R.C.G.M. Lauwerier, M.M.E. Jans, A.G.F.M. Cuijpers & F.J. Laarman (in prep.)Degradatie en bescherming van archeologisch bot, Praktijkboek Instandhouding Monumenten.
• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M. (2006) Histological identifaction of bone fragments in archaeology: telling humans apart from horses and cattle. Int. Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
• Fontijn, D./ A.G.F.M. Cuijpers (2002) Revisiting barrows, a Middle Bronze Age burial group at the Kops Plateau, Nijmegen, BROB 45, 155-187.
• Beuker, J.R./ A.G.F.M. Cuijpers/ E. Drenth/ A.E. Lanting/ G.J.R. Maat (2001) Nogmaals de grafheuvel ‘de Ketenberg’ te Eext: over de dodenhouding in graven van de klokbekercultuur in Nederland, Nieuwe Drentse Volksalmanak 118, 109-118.
• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M./ C.M. Haverkort/ J.M. Pasveer/ W. Prummel (1999) The human burials, in J.C. Besteman/ J.M. Bos/ D.A. Gerrets/ H.A. Heidinga/ J. De Koning (eds.), The Excavations at Wijnaldum, 305-321.
• Fontijn, D.R./A.G.F.M. Cuijpers (1998-1999) Prehistoric stone cirkels, stone platforms and a ritual enclosure from Nijmegen, BROB 43, 33-67.
• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M. (1997a) Archeologie met de microscoop, Natuur & Techniek 6, 22-29.
• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M. (1997b) Possibilities of histological research on diaphyseal fragments in cremated remains, in E. Smits/ E. Iregren/ A.G. Drusini (eds.), Cremation Studies in Archeology, Saonara, 73-85.
• Cuijpers, A.G.F.M./ H. Schutkowski (1993) Histological age determination of the cremated human bones from the urnfields of Deventer-'t Bramelt and Markelo Friezenberg, Helinium 33, 99-107.