Eachtra Archaeological Projects

Searching the Internet Archive

John Tierney — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:49:50 +0000

This entry is part 17 of 17 in the Issue 5

Searching the Internet Archive for ‘archaeology‘ is like sticking your trowel into a deep layer filled with seeds, charcoal, pottery and iron objects.

EAA Conference September 2010, The Haag, Netherlands

John Tierney — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:10:48 +0000

This entry is part 16 of 17 in the Issue 5

The 16^th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists will be held in the city of The Hague in the Netherlands from 1^st-5^th September 2010.

An excellent venue for the meeting has been found in Leiden University Campus The Hague, in the building of the Royal Conservatoire, adjacent to the central railway station in the centre of town.

Dates & deadlines

October 2009
Online registration will open
October 2009
Online hotel booking form available
October 2009
Proposals for sessions and round tables can be submitted
15th January 2010
Deadline for proposal submissions
21 February
Paper and poster abstract submission will open
1 May 2010
Deadline paper and poster abstratct submission will close
30th June 2010
Deadline for Early Fee registration
31st August 2010
CAAS Conference
1st – 5th September 2010
EAA Annual Meeting 2010

Current Sessions of interest are;

Session Title: Archaeology and managing change in economically marginal and

semi-natural land in Europe

Organiser: Cees van Rooijen

Session Proposal

Agriculture in Europe is changing as a result of global pressures and reforms to the common

agricultural policy. Pressures for change are often at their most intense in economically marginal

land, including uplands and mountainous areas where archaeological and historical landscapes

are best preserved. Farms are merging and land is being abandoned, sometimes with the

intention of creating notionally “wild” landscapes. Elsewhere there is a growing interest in

managing land primarily for nature conservation purposes, for example in the Natura2000 site

series and in wetland areas, or for establishing woodland in arable or pastoral landscapes. These

processes sometimes threaten the archaeological heritage, but also create new opportunities and

the possibilities of closer working with nature conservation interests. The consequences of these

processes and the possibility of managing these changes effectively from an archaeological

perspective, differ from place to place. This Roundtable session aims to share the knowledge on

these subjects and the heritage present in these areas and discuss possible management

strategies for preserving archaeological and historical landscape futures. Attention will focus on

two topics in particular: 1) Archaeology and nature conservation 2) Land abandonment and

conversion of farmland to forestry

Session Title: Professional Archaeology in Europe Today: round table of the

Committee on Professional Associations in Archaeology

Organiser: Kenneth Aitchison

Session Proposal

Following a very successful session on “Professionalism in Archaeology” at Riva del Garda, this

round table will include:

short reports on the current state of the archaeological profession in different states;

discussion of the issues facing European archaeology on continental and national scales;

a report on the work of the Committee on Professional Associations in Archaeology;

the appointment of a Committee Secretary

Session Title: There’s no place like home? Examining the changing value of domestic

architecture from archaeological and anthropological perspectives

Organisers: Jessica Smyth

Kerry Cleary

Session Proposal

Changes in domestic architecture are frequently noticed in archaeological research across all time

periods. These changes can relate to architectural preferences, location choices and resource

limitations, but also to the way in which societies view and experience their own dwellings. Shifts

in perceptions and trends can be both gradual and rapid, subtle and dramatic, with the variety of

interpretations offered frequently reflecting these dichotomies. Why at certain points in time do

houses become more visible or prominent, seemingly more important to a group or society? For

what reasons do they become the focus of ritualised activity such as structured deposition or

formal episodes of burning or decommissioning? Most importantly, why does this focus on the

house periodically dissolve, only to reappear several centuries or even millennia later? While the

symbolism and meaning attached by society to domestic architecture is well recognised

archaeologically and anthropologically, we would argue that this ebb and flow, this wax and wane

of the importance of the house through time remains under-explored. This session aims to

examine the social processes behind domestic architecture from prehistory through to the

modern period – the mechanisms by which houses change, ‘evolve’, and rise and fall in

popularity over time. By combining archaeological remains with anthropological approaches it is

hoped that a greater understanding of the variables governing changes in domestic architecture,

both structural and symbolic, will be achieved. Contributions covering any aspect of the above

are welcomed from the fields of archaeology and anthropology and from any period of the past or

present.

Session Title: The post-excavation process – seeking european best practice

Organisers: Virágos Gábor

Rónán Swan

Session Proposal

The aim of this session is to stimulate a debate about the post excavation history of the finds and

documentation/archive in different European countries and in both the academic and commercial

sectors. It is hoped that discussion will follow on the general state policy, the official legislation,

the accessible infrastructure and the available resources, especially the human resources. Some

of the issues to be explored are:

The types and phases of the post-excavation process (e.g. conservation and inventory of

artefacts, and environmental samples, the management of the archaeological archive, digitisation,

GIS, storage, dissemination, and publication)

The legal, academic or commercial limitations as to who may (or must) carry out the postexcavation

works? What are the expectations of the different stakeholders e.g. archaeologists,

academic, commercial, and general public?

The published archaeological standards and to what extent are they implemented. Do such

standards lead to a consistent approach? Do standards automatically provide for (or ensure)

quality?

How are post-excavation services funded? How is it procured? Do such procedures encourage

best practice?

The ownership of the finds and the disposal of documentation/archive (by the state, local

community, NGO, private company, landowner, citizen, or the excavator archaeologist) –

legislation, licensing, practice, etc.; moreover, what does it mean to own archaeological finds at

all?

The system and conditions of storing finds right after finishing the excavation, and later, after

finishing the post-excavation process; it is obviously connected to the ownership, but this

connection is not necessarily a direct one.

The extent to which the information gathered from past archaeological projects (commercial or

research) are being used in future projects – essentially the extent to which archaeological

knowledge is being applied.

Presentations are welcome, which address the post-excavation process whether in theory or

practice. However especially welcome are presentations which discuss how practice conforms to

respective legislative policies, and consequently explore the notion of best practice.

It is hoped that as a result of this session, these papers will be published with an overarching

discussion paper drawing together the key themes, for consideration by the EAA.

(All information has been copied from the conference website pdfs).

New PLos biology article on genetic origins of Europeans

John Tierney — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:57:09 +0000

A Predominantly Neolithic Origin for European Paternal Lineages

Abstract

The relative contributions to modern European populations of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers from the Near East have been intensely debated. Haplogroup R1b1b2 (R-M269) is the commonest European Y-chromosomal lineage, increasing in frequency from east to west, and carried by 110 million European men. Previous studies suggested a Paleolithic origin, but here we show that the geographical distribution of its microsatellite diversity is best explained by spread from a single source in the Near East via Anatolia during the Neolithic. Taken with evidence on the origins of other haplogroups, this indicates that most European Y chromosomes originate in the Neolithic expansion. This reinterpretation makes Europe a prime example of how technological and cultural change is linked with the expansion of a Y-chromosomal lineage, and the contrast of this pattern with that shown by maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA suggests a unique role for males in the transition.

Patricia Balaresque¹, Georgina R. Bowden¹, Susan M. Adams¹, Ho-Yee Leung¹, Turi E. King¹, Zoë H. Rosser¹,Jane Goodwin², Jean-Paul Moisan³, Christelle Richard³, Ann Millward⁴, Andrew G. Demaine⁴, Guido Barbujani⁵, Carlo Previderè⁶, Ian J. Wilson⁷, Chris Tyler-Smith⁸, Mark A. Jobling¹^*

1 Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom,2 Ty Celyn, Maeshafod, Blaina, Gwent, United Kingdom, 3 Laboratoire d’Etude du Polymorphisme de l’ADN, Faculté de Médecine, Nantes, France, 4Molecular Medicine Research Group, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom, 5 Dipartimento di Biologia ed Evoluzione, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, 6 Dipartimento di Medicina Legale e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy, 7 Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 8 The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom

Source (http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1000285)

Lecture - Archaeological Excavation Results from the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road.

John Tierney — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:02:17 +0000

This entry is part 15 of 17 in the Issue 5

Mitchelstown Historical Lectures 2010

February Tuesday 23rd 2010
Jacinta Kiely- Archaeological Excavation: Results from the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road.
Town Hall, Mitchelstown at 8pm

New Research on Early Medieval Burial - Seminar April 2010

John Tierney — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:41:34 +0000

This entry is part 14 of 17 in the Issue 5

Early Medieval Northumbria

Research Seminar

New Research on Early Medieval Burial

30th April 2010

Contacts:

Dr Sam Turner: sam.turner@ncl.ac.uk

Dr David Petts: d.a.petts@durham.ac.uk

Venue:

Shefton Room, School of Historical Studies

1st Floor, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU

Tel: 0191 222 8110

Free admission. All are welcome

xref Owenbristy

Via Archaeology in Europe

AYIA Spring Conference 26-28th February 2010, University College Cork

John Tierney — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:08:35 +0000

This entry is part 13 of 17 in the Issue 5

The Association of Young Irish Archaeologists are holding their 42nd Annual Conference in UCC next week. February 26-28th 2010. Venue Boole 1. UCC, Cork City.

Lecture - ‘The Landscape Archaeology of the Early Medieval Donegal Kingdoms’

John Tierney — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:40:16 +0000

This entry is part 12 of 17 in the Issue 5

The Archaeology Society, UCC, is hosting a lecture byDr Brian Lacey, CEO of the Discovery Programme, on the 25th of February in Conn S2 on Western Road at 7pm. The topic of Dr Lacey’s talk will be:

‘The Landscape Archaeology of the Early Medieval Donegal Kingdoms’

The first two, and possibly the first three, genuinely historical individuals claimed, even in an exaggerated sense, as ‘kings of Ireland’ traditionally came from the area of what is now Co. Donegal. This lecture will seek to show how the combination of historical and archaeological studies can be used to unravel the complex politico-geographies of their local kingdoms during the period AD500-800

Roscrea Spring Conference 2010 - The Gaelic World and Irish Christianity before the Vikings

John Tierney — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:10:15 +0000

This entry is part 11 of 17 in the Issue 5

The 46th Consecutive Conference

The Gaelic World and Irish Christianity before the Vikings

9th-11th April 2010

International Viking Conference - Viking Woodstown and Hiberno-Norse Waterford

John Tierney — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:08:32 +0000

This entry is part 10 of 17 in the Issue 5

This is a three day conference on in Waterford city over the last weekend in March 2010.

Waterford Museum of Treasures in association with the National Museum of Ireland

Woodtown_Conf_2010

PLANETS Digital Preservation Conference - London Feb 2010

John Tierney — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:10:45 +0000

This entry is part 9 of 17 in the Issue 5

PLANETS - PRESERVATION AND LONG-TERM ACCESS THROUGH NETWORKED SERVICES are holding a conference in London today and tomorrow. I see there are a number of European countries represented and I wonder if anybody from the National Museum or DOE Archaeology Section have been able to attend.

(http://www.planets-project.eu/events/london-2010/programme/)