ESTAMOS DE VOLTA

Depois de umas prolongadas férias de verão, arqueologicamente falando, trabalho de campo, estamos de volta.
Aqui vamos divulgar o decorrer do curso de TECNOLOGIA LÍTICA, EXPERIMENTAÇÃO E ESTUDOS FUNCIONAIS.
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WAC 6 – Sixth World Archaeological Congress

A nossa passagem pelo Congresso do WAC em Dublin levou-nos ao encontro de Sessões, trabalhos e posters bastantes interessantes. Destacamos aqui aqueles vimos relacionados com Arqueologia Experimental e Estudos Funcionais:

Experimental Archaeology
Patrick J. Gaynor
Abstract
Past archeological surveys conducted on land in Australia that had been used for broadacre cultivation, posed a number of questions for archaeologists who where trying to interpret the stone artefacts scatters recorded in those surveys. In an attempt to obtain data on artefact displacement, an experiment was set up using agricultural broadacre implements and modern stone artefacts made from raw materials that had been used by Aboriginal knappers in the past.
http://www.wac6.org/livesite/posters/poster_files/WAC_007_Gaynor.pdf

Experimental archaeology of palaeosols in the UK
Martin Bell (University of Reading, UK)
Abstract
Between 1985 and 1991 Dr Peter Reynolds established 4 octagonal experimental earthworks under the umbrella of the Butser Ancient Farm, UK: one each on Lower, Middle and Upper Chalk and one on aeolian drift. The soils below them have now been investigated 20 years after burial to examine post burial changes in terms of faunal processes, soil chemistry and the preservation of biota. This evidence can be compared to that from the linear experimental earthworks at Overton Down, Wiltshire (Upper Chalk) and Wareham Heath, Dorset (Tertiary sands) sectioned at intervals over 32 years. Comparisons highlight the unique characteristics of each site and the importance of adequate experimental replication. Decadal scale experiments are relevant because many changes to buried soils are rapid following burial, and within 10-20 years quasi-equilibrium is achieved. Thus 20- to 32-year-old buried soils are similar in appearance, and some properties, to those of prehistory.
http://www.wac6.org/livesite/precirculated/2069_precirculated.pdf

The gripping nature of ochre
Marize Lombard
Abstract
This contribution provides direct evidence for the use of ochre in adhesive recipes during the Howirsons Poort of South Africa. Stone segments from two Kwazulu-Natal sites were microscopically analysed to document ochre and resin residues.
http://www.wac6.org/livesite/posters/poster_files/WAC_012_Stene_Amundsen.pdf

Ateliers de experimentação - participação livre

Instituto Terra e Memória - Centro de Estudos Superiores de Mação

A partir da 15h

Dia 24 de Junho

Talhe experimental de quartzitos - debitagem e formatação simples

Neste atelier vamos talhar variados tipos de quartzito e reproduzir técnicas simples de debitagem e formatação, sobretudo a pensar naqueles que não têm muita prática no talhe.

Dia 25 de Junho

Estruturas de combustão e cocção/secagem (?) de alimentos

Neste Atelierr vamos construir e utilizar dois tipos de lareiras experimentais, sendo que uma delas será uma tentativa de reprodução da estrutura identificada no Sítio Arqueológico da Ribeira da Atalaia.

Dia 30 de junho

Talhe experimental de Bifaces (quartzito)

Neste atelier vamos elaborar bifaces quer a partir de seixos quer a partir de lascas, utilizando percutores duros e brandos. Aconselhamos os participantes a trazerem uma protecção para o apoio na perna, de preferência em pele animal.

Arqueologia Experimental na 14º Conferência da EAA

14TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION
MALTA: 16-21 September, 2008

http://events.um.edu.mt/eaa2008/

Prehistoric technology: Cognition and the act of artefact
production

Session organizers: George Dimitriadis, Maria Gurova & George Nash

Session Abstract
Archaeological theory and practice are often antagonistic. Nonetheless, despite the pragmatists’ reserves, theoretical terms such as ‘culture’ and ‘technology’ still stimulate scientific debates and scholarly curiosity.
Though apparently a package in its right, technology is indivisible from the culture in which it is embedded. As embodied in cultural material, objects articulate systems of intangible ideas and can be associated with patterns of behaviour. For example, how did prehistoric peoples act and react in this respect? What are the relations between technological “packages” and the cosmological views of particular actors (technicians) or cultural entities?
Representations result from experience and are guided by perception. Philosophers still ponder over the links between psycho-physical sensations and mental meanings. Social sciences associate patterns of perception and the production of knowledge with the social ordering of a chaotic world.
Interdisciplinary analytical models can help archaeologists to understand technica systems in general and in particular the physical aspects of tools and raw materials, thus furthering the fathoming of symbolic representations and social frameworks underpinning the everyday ‘struggle for life’.
This session invites scholars whose research agenda deals with the study of prehistoric material culture, that although can be deemed merely as a process of economy, has been impacted by socio-political and technological factors.

Programme:
1). P. Gnessuta (Pisa): The Epigravettian pointes à cran in Italian peninsula.
Technological and functional analysis within the context of European cultures
2). G. Nash (Bristol): Assessing the symbolic modes of production of Mesolithic
portable items
3). G. Ritchie, C. Bonsall (Edinburgh): The 'Obanian' Revisited: Interpreting Stone,
Bone and Antler Technologies in the Mesolithic of western Scotland"
4). N. Elenski (Sofia): Technological aspects of the "labrets" impacted by functional
and "religious" factors
5). M. Gurova (Sofia): Resilience and revival of tribulum inserts production:
cognitive insight of the prehistoric technology
6). A. Vianello (Oxford): Identities formed from technology: the case of the Late
Bronze Age Mediterranean
7). P. Chruszczewski (Wroclaw): Runic inscriptions as instances of proto-books
8). R. Bednarik (Melbourne): Cognition and palaeoart production
9). F. di Donato (Milano): Headrest: Functionality, art & symbolism
10). P. Bouissac (Toronto): Signs as artifacts: an examination of the Piette collection
11). D. Delfino (Tomar): Ceramics from Middle and Recent Bronze in Liguria:
Proposal of analytical model of formal typology and “chaîne opératoire”
12). R. Melini (Trento): “Doing" music without "making" musical instruments: a
prehistoric, actually contemporaneous, concept.

EXPERIMENTING THE PAST. THE POSITION OF
EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
PARADIGM OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Session Organizers: Dragos GHEORGHIU, Julia WIECKEN and Emannuela ZIMMERMANN

In the second part of the 20th century, experimental archaeology gradually grew as a subdiscipline of archaeology. It often finds a mixed acceptance in mainstream academia, as different people mean different things when they use the term ‘experimental archaeology’. Whereas many flint knapping experiments have greatly enhanced the understanding of the lithics chaînes - opératories of certain sites and traditions, house ‘re’-constructions are often criticised for reducing the complexity and potential variables found in the archaeological record.
Experimental archaeology has a vast potential to test our practical hypotheses. However it can also unlock the sense world of the past, as well as uncover problems and unforeseen aspects of our theoretical arguments. These issues need to be engaged with in an interdisciplinary way.
The present session intends to put together some of the current trends in European experimental archaeology, and will try to identify emergent original trends within the present paradigm. Theoretical papers are encouraged as well as traditional experimental case studies. We are especially interested in the way the young generation of European archaeologists approach experimental archaeology today and what the future of the discipline might hold.
Additionally we will encourage those who would like to present part of their experimental work in a workshop organised alongside the session.

PAPERS
Dr Marie-Yvane Daire et al.
CNRS, UMR 6566, Rennes, France
An archaeology of coastal salt industry : the inescapable part of experiments

Professor Dragos Gheorghiu
Centre of Research, National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania
Building and deconstructing using fire

Dr Emília Pásztor
Matrica Archaeological Museum, Hungary
Experimenting ancient light and shadow interaction

Dr Jacqui Wood
Saveok Water Archaeology, Savok Mill, Greenbottom, Cornwall, UK
Daily practices of Prehistoric Europe during the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition

Conference on Experimental Archaeology, U. of Edinburgh

Experimental Archaeology A Conference hosted by the School of History, Classics and Archaeology Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th November 2008

http://trans-ferir.blogspot.com/www.shca.ed.ac.uk/conferences/experimental_arch08/

Overview
The School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh is pleased to announce a forthcoming conference on Experimental Archaeology. The conference will be held over the weekend of 15th-16th November 2008 and will comprise a day of papers and discussions at the Archaeology building on Saturday followed, on Sunday, by a trip to the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay where delegates will be able to visit an experimental re-construction of a crannog and take part on various associated activities.
The use of experiment in archaeology provides a scientific theoretical structure within which various strands of evidence can be united in a systematic methodology. These strands of evidence can comprise information from ethnography, craft skills, technological expertise and archaeological data as well as phenomenological and educational studies. Papers and posters are invited on the following key themes that are suggested as a focus for presentations though not as a limitation on them:

Key Themes:
The role of experiment in archaeological interpretation and research.
Understanding technology in ancient society.
The role of experiment in public archaeology and “Living archaeology” centres: the case for greater academic involvement
Case studies of current projects
Format of the Conference Weekend:
Saturday
9:00-17:00: conference papers and discussions. Teas/coffees will be provided.
17:00-18:00: discussion of conference themes and future conferences.
19:00 onwards: an evening meal will be arranged at a local restaurant - cost to be covered by delegates. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like to participate.
Sunday
10:00-18:00 trip to the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay. This is currently being arranged and will require a minimum of 30 participants to go ahead. Please indicate on your application form if you would like to participate.
Conference fees:
Cost of teas/coffee and conference booklet: £7:00 (payable now)
Cost of Sunday excursion to Loch Tay: £17.00 (payable on arrival)
Conference Venue:
ArchaeologySchool of History, Classics and ArchaeologyThe University of EdinburghThe Old High School12 Infirmary StreetEDINBURGH EH1 1LT
Contacts:
Dr Gordon Thomas:experimentalconference@ed.ac.ukMr Graham Ritchie:experimentalconference@ed.ac.uk
Ms Lizzie Cory-Lopez:experimentalconference@ed.ac.uk
Mr Riley Snyder:experimentalconference@ed.ac.uk