Dr. Melissa Samaes

Melissa has been a practice assistant in the Department of History, Archaeology, Arts, Philosophy, and Ethics since 2012. In 2024, she completed her PhD, which integrates pottery studies with postmodern archaeological theory, contributing to innovative approaches in the interpretation of material culture.

In the context of my PhD study, the challenges of interpreting archaeological findings, particularly prehistoric imagery, in the absence of direct evidence or textual sources are explored. The conventional analysis of such imagery, which relies heavily on static material objects from the past, is frequently influenced by historical, cultural and subjective biases. In order to address the aforementioned challenges, my study adopts an innovative approach, namely the theories of assemblage and entanglement. The overarching objective of the proposed theory is to facilitate a comprehensive interpretation by considering all components of the archaeological record. The objective of this approach is to transcend the limitations of a static, object-based paradigm, thereby challenging the conventional notion of bounded entities.   In my PhD dissertation, I investigate the potential of assemblage and entanglement theories to enrich archaeological interpretation. The thesis synthesises a theoretical exploration of postmodern frameworks with a case study of Late Bronze Age bird motif pottery from Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus. The development of a methodological toolbox grounded in assemblage thinking enables the research to move beyond traditional typological analysis and interpret prehistoric imagery within its relational and material contexts. This approach underscores the dynamic interplay between objects/things, meanings, and social entanglements, thereby offering a nuanced understanding of archaeological material culture.  The aim of my dissertation is to enhance our understanding of archaeological discoveries by bridging existing gaps in the research and embracing dynamic perspectives. This underscores the continuous development of materials over time, moving beyond mere representation to a more comprehensive understanding.  

PROJECT:

Unmuting images: An interpretive analysis of late Bronze Age bird display on Hala Sultan Tekke pottery, southeast Cyprus, through assemblage and entanglement theories

EDUCATION:

• Ma in Art Studies and Archaeology, 2003, VUB
• PhD in Art Studies and Archaeology, 2024, VUB.

KEYWORDS:

• Pottery
• Cyprus
• Late Bronze Age
• Archaeological theory