 Newsletters |
||||||||
|
Newsletter of the Association for Environmental Archaeology Latest edition: Newsletter 97 August 2007 ISSN 1363-6553 Editorial |
|||||||
Edited by Wendy Carruthers and Vanessa Straker (e-mail addresses: wendy.carruthers@virgin.net; vanessa.straker@english-heritage.org.uk AEA Membership Secretary; Dr Ralph Fyfe, Room 211, 8 Kirkby Place, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA. UK; e-mail: membership@envarch.net
This edition of the Newsletter contains information about the next two AEA meetings; the Autumn Conference in Poznan and the One-day Spring Meeting in Cardiff on St David’s Day, 2008. We would be grateful for offers to report on these meetings for future issues of the Newsletter. Please also note that biographies of candidates for the Committee elections at the AGM in Poznan are provided in this Newsletter. Members can vote by proxy if they are unable to attend the AGM, as described on page 3.
THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY AEA Committee statement Environmental Archaeology – the recovery, recording, analysis and interpretation of ancient bioarchaeological and geoarchaeological remains – plays a key role in developing our knowledge and understanding of the past and is central to current archaeological practice and theory. The Association for Environmental Archaeology is committed to promoting best practice through integration of environmental archaeology at all stages of field and research projects. To this end, we actively encourage and support opportunities for the involvement of qualified environmental archaeological specialists in the full range of archaeological institutions and organisations: museums, commercial archaeological units, state archaeological services and academic departments. In addition to broadening the general professional environment, the specific benefits of establishing and developing specialist teams in these various institutions include: Integration of environmental recovery strategies into project designs;
Further information on this subject is available by contacting the AEA Committee (Secretary: Meriel McClatchie. Email: meriel.mcclatchie@gmail.com).
JOURNAL The European Reference Index for the Humanities, funded by the European Science Foundation, has now produced its ABC-ranked lists of archaeological journals. The list and supporting information are available at: http://www.esf.org/research-areas/humanities/activities/research-infrastructures/faq-sheet/scope-initiallists.html We are delighted to inform the membership that Environmental Archaeology has been ranked as an A-grade journal. Congratulations are due to the current and previous co-ordinating editors of the journal, Dr Ingrid Mainland and Prof. Glynis Jones respectively, for their hard work over the years. Issues 12 and 13 In issue 12.2 you will find an interesting and informative set of articles and book reviews that consider various aspects of environmental archaeology in a diverse range of settings throughout the world. Two papers focus on the implications of environmental change and woodland exploitation for human populations living within the Brazilian Highlands during the Holocene (Sceel-Ybert and Dias; Iriarte and Behling). A further two consider faunal evidence from Africa: Lesur et al. discuss the exploitation of wild animals in Ethiopia during the Holocene while Luff presents research on Monastic diet in Late Antique Egypt. Sveinbjarnardóttir et al. exploit a range of environmental techniques to give novel economic and palaeoenvironment insights into a high status farmstead in Iceland. Finally, a methodological question of some importance is addressed by Vandorpe and Jacomet’s article which reviews the impact of recovery method on waterlogged plant remains. In addition, there are five book reviews: Dhavalikar 2002 - Environment and Culture (Madella); Reitz and Mascussi 2004 – Guangala Fishers and Farmers (Cooke); Mondini et al. 2004 – Colonization, Migration and Marginal Areas (McGovern); O’Day et al. 2004 – Behaviour Behind Bones (Forstenpointner); Boivin and Owoc 2004 – Soils, Stones and Symbols (Ayala). We are still accepting copy for issue 13 and would particularly like to encourage AEA members to submit
research papers, review articles or short contributions on any aspect of environmental archaeology. Full
details regarding submission to the journal can be found on
http://www.maney.co.uk/search?fwaction=show&fwid=671, or contact Ingrid Mainland for further information Dr. Ingrid Mainland
WEBSITE
AEA AGM & ELECTIONS 2007 Draft agenda:
Accounts Elections The current committee structure is as follows: CO-OPTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS In the last Newsletter, vacancies for the position of Chair, Treasurer and three ordinary committee members were advertised. To date, we have received one nomination for Chair, one nomination for Treasurer and four nominations for Ordinary Committee members. Brief personal statements by the nominees appear in this newsletter. Further nominations can be received up to the time of the AGM. Please send or e-mail any nominations (which must be seconded and accompanied by a personal statement by the nominee) to the AEA Secretary: Meriel McClatchie, 40 Tournore Court, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Republic of Ireland. E-mail: meriel.mcclatchie@gmail.com ABSENTEE VOTING If you wish, a member of the committee (see http://www.envarch.net/aea/committee.html) will act as your
proxy. BIOGRAPHIES OF CANDIDATES FOR AEA COMMITTEE As Chair: I have been an active member of the AEA for about 13 years or so, regularly attending meetings, giving papers, hosting sessions and conferences on its behalf. Since 2002, I have served on the Committee in various roles, Conference Officer and more recently, Membership Secretary. I have a good understanding of the organisation and the diverse interests we must represent on behalf of our members. The organisation has gone through enormous changes over the last 5 years or so – our membership is constantly increasing and we have moved from being a solely UK based organisation to representing members from across the World. This increasing internationalisation comes as a response to an increasing appreciation of the opportunities available to the Association, and the exciting roles we can potentially play both within archaeology as well as wider concerns of sustainability and climate warming. If elected, my intention would be to continue this move towards greater internationalisation. Greater internationalisation will lead to other challenges, including making sure that the organisation and its activities are still accessible to the majority of our members and facilitating attendance at meetings for students. The last 10 years have been a period of enormous change within archaeology and especially within the commercial sector, presenting major opportunities but also challenges. I would like to see greater interaction with this group. The funding of science based archaeology is another area which I believe we can have an influence upon and ensure dialogue is maintained between the different funding bodies which represent archaeological science. I have fairly extensive experience in chairing groups and organisations. Most recently, I chair the Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum, which is attempting to raise the political profile of archaeology in Northern Ireland and especially Stormont. I therefore feel I have the necessary experience and expertise to offer the AEA as we move into a few phase. Proposed by: David Earle Robinson, Seconded by: Meriel McClatchie. As Treasurer: Proposed by: Meriel McClatchie, Seconded by: David Earle Robinson. As Ordinary Committee member: In 2004, I sought to further broaden my understanding of scientific techniques applied to past diet through a PhD which is currently being undertaken in the department of Archaeology at the University of Reading and the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. This research uses the technique of organic residue analysis to detect and identify ancient lipid residues absorbed into the walls of non-glazed ceramics via solvent extraction and analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/Mass Spectrometry. This technique is applied to specialised vessels (mortaria) from the Roman period in order to examine the incorporation or rejection of ‘romanised’ food-ways into post-Conquest Britain, and results have been presented at both UK and international conferences. In addition, I now work freelance as an Environmental Archaeologist, specialising in carbonised plant remains and charcoal. With experience and an active involvement in the fields of both macrobotanical plant remains and archaeological chemistry, I believe that my interdisciplinary background allows me to fully appreciate and promote the importance of integrating both traditional and recently-developed biomolecular approaches to ancient biological remains for the investigation of past environments and subsistence strategies. The field of archaeological chemistry is one which is dynamic and rapidly developing, and I would welcome the opportunity to represent this exciting area of research by serving on the committee. Proposed by: Anna Mukherjee, Seconded by: Alan Outram Maaike Groot (Archeologisch Centrum Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) At the moment, I am working full-time in contract archaeology, analysing animal bone assemblages from a variety of sites, dating from the Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages. In my daily work, I am confronted with the realities and frustrations of modern rescue archaeology. Environmental archaeology still receives a smaller budget than the study of material culture, and it is not easy to make archaeologists understand the importance of large samples. Apart from doing contract work, I teach Environmental Archaeology to second-year students at the Vrije Universiteit, together with two colleagues. At the moment, we are also developing a first-year module. I am proud to say that the Vrije Universiteit, after having had a long-standing reputation of neglecting environmental archaeology, is now increasingly focusing on environmental studies. I have only recently become a member of the AEA but look forward to getting more involved into the international Environmental Archaeology community. Proposed by: Richard Thomas, Seconded by: Andy Hammon Andy J. Howard (Institute of Archaeology & Antiquity, University of Birmingham) Proposed by: Nicki Whitehouse, Seconded by: Jen Heathcote Naomi Sykes (University of Nottingham) Proposed by: Amy Bogaard, Seconded by: Richard Thomas
AEA Autumn Conference 2007 This AEA conference – held for the first time in Eastern Europe – is intended to provide a forum for discussion on recent research in Environmental Archaeology in the broad context of temperate areas of Eurasia. The focus will be on the following themes: the development of cultural landscapes of northern Eurasia through a long-time perspective, cultural and environmental diversity, dynamics of climate and vegetation as a background for cultural processes. Organisers: Mirek Makohonienko (Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań, Poland), Mayke Wagner (Deutsches Archaeologisches Institute, Eurasien Abteilung, Berlin) and Pavel Tarasiv (Alfred Wegener, Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Potsdam) Further information is available at: http://www.envarch.net/latest/events.htm#poznan
AEA Spring One-day Meeting 2008 The 2008 Association of Environmental Archaeology one-day meeting is to be held on Saturday 1st March (St David’s Day) at Cardiff University. The theme for the conference is the little things in life that fill the majority of peoples’ lives and how these intersect with larger events. Archaeology has many grand narratives covering huge sweeps of time, mass accumulations of individuals and materials. Whilst an increasing interest in identifying smaller acts of ‘ritual’ significance has resulted in a greater understanding of more distinctive patterns in archaeological accumulations – the smaller scale practises of daily life remain largely unconsidered. As a science based discipline the need for valid sample sizes coupled to the cost of fine-grained analyses often result in an agglomeration of data that produces unrealistic archaeological results (e.g. considering hundreds or thousands of years as one cultural event). By examining what can be achieved through a detailed consideration of small scale acts different tales can be told about the human experience in the past. This conference seeks papers that explore the minor and intimate stories in environmental archaeology: the domestic and the mundane experiences that are played out on a daily, monthly, yearly or lifetime cycle and the effects that individual events have on people and places in the past. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:
Proposals from for papers are invited by email to: aea2008@cardiff.ac.uk Proposal outlines should include a 300 word abstract for a 20 minute paper and must be submitted by 30th November 2007. Individual poster proposals are also very much welcomed by 30th November 2007. Registration information is forthcoming and a small fee will be necessary to cover costs. Please send any questions or queries to aea2008@cardiff.ac.uk. For further, up-to-date information on registration, accommodation, amenities and travel, please consult the Association for Environmental Archaeology Meeting web pages at the Cardiff University Archaeology and Conservation Website. Organiser: Jacqui Mulville
Cod and Herring: The Archaeology and Early History of Intensive Fishing A workshop of the International Council for Archaeozoology, the History of Marine Animal Populations, the Global Fisheries History Network and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research The development of intensive cod and herring fisheries in medieval and early modern times has had a profound and ongoing impact on the political economy, social history and historical ecology of the Northern Hemisphere. This workshop aims to bring together archaeologists and historians in order to elucidate the early origins, causes and consequences of commercial fishing for these once superabundant species. Contact: Webpage (forthcoming July 2007): Please note that workshop numbers are limited – Westray is a small island.
Sixth World Archaeology Congress The organising committee of the Sixth World Archaeology Congress (WAC- 6) are delighted to now invite colleagues from across the globe to come to University College Dublin, Ireland from June 29-July 4, 2008 for this spectacular archaeological conference. We are planning a varied and engaging thematic program and a wide range of social events that will provide opportunities to experience the cultural and social life of Dublin and Ireland and to sample this island's outstanding archaeological heritage. WAC is committed to diversity and to redressing global inequities in archaeology through conferences, publications and scholarly programs. It has a special interest in protecting the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples, minorities and peoples from a range of countries. WAC-6 will continue the established practice of previous international congresses in facilitating the participation and empowerment ofindigenous peoples and researchers from economically disadvantaged countries. This first announcement is a call for themes, sessions, papers and posters. See www.ucd.ie/wac-6 for details of application, program, accommodation, costs and grant opportunities. Hope to see you all there! Dr Helen Lewis Deadline for theme proposals: September 30 2007 Contacts:
8th Palaeopathology Short Course The 8th Palaeopathology Short Course will take place from Sunday 10 August (arrival) through Friday, 22
August 2008 at the Biological Anthropology Research Centre, Archaeological Sciences, University of
Bradford. Registration will take place on the morning of Monday, 11 August.
Delegates in the Keith Manchester Lab during the 7th Palaeopathology The course will cover topics in the study of health and demographic characteristics of past human populations, including age estimation and sex determination, estimates of body proportion and stature from human remains, specific and non-specific infectious disease, degenerative joint disease, metabolic disease, congenital abnormality, dental disease, activity-related skeletal change, and the use of histological techniques in the differential diagnosis of ancient disease. The course will also include a number of special lectures on ancient DNA, the analysis of ancient and modern human hair, and isotopic analyses that complement and extend the macro and microscopic analysis of palaeopathological conditions. Dr. Frank Rühli will also contribute on the use of radiography and Ct-scanning to aid differential diagnosis of palaeopathological lesions.
For further information and application forms, please contact:
A Life of Its Own or Casting Bread upon the Waters The presentation of a poster at the AEA spring meeting in Cork has led to some unexpected feedback. A message was received to contact the planning authority at Wrexham, North Wales. It transpired that some buildings had been erected without permission on a small holding and the owner was appealing against the enforcement order to remove them, on the grounds that they were necessary for his part in an international study of DNA from Dexter cattle. The planners were making further enquiry about this research project and it turned out that the abstract for my poster had been lifted from the UCC website and was being used to substantiate this claim. I took rather a dim view of this misappropriation, so was pleased to confirm to counsel for the council that I did not know this person and was not involved in any research project with him. Louisa Gidney
See Careers
See Bibliography to view and download
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
