EAA99 BLOCK I
Managing the Archaeological Record and the Cultural Heritage
Session organizer:Geoff Carver, Florian-Geyer Straße 43, 01307 Dresden. GERMANY. Tel: +49-351-4417999. Email: gcarver@t-online.de See organizer's web pages for further information.Session abstract (English):Members of the EAA should already be aware that there are great differences in the way archaeologists excavate in different countries. This stands in stark contrast to such "hard" sciences as biology, chemistry or physics. Is this a problem?
Considering how much of the archaeology we do today is strictly interpretative - the gender studies, the post-processional and other syntheses of data already available, etc. - it probably is: how many of our theoretical and interpretative models are based on poorly collected data (i.e. poorly excavated sites)?
Another major trend is towards increasingly fragmented excavation projects: instead of excavating a whole site for research purposes, someone watches the installation of a sewer line and documents their observations. Without standardised excavation methods and documentation techniques, how can data gathered from one such "keyhole" excavation be combined with that from any other project on the same site?
In this session we will take the opportunity this "end/turn of the century/millennium" offers, to look seriously at the dirty business of excavation. We can look back at how we have excavated in the past, and perhaps begin a discussion aiming at methodologies for the future. We can see how archaeologists excavate their sites in different countries, and perhaps learn from one another.
Topics to be examined will/could include: Stratigraphy; soil descriptions; documentation systems; excavation methods; the relationship between documentation and excavation; surveying; remote sensing; etc.Session abstract (Spanish):
Los miembros del EAA seguramente ya se habrán dado cuenta que hay grandes diferencias en la manera cómo trabajan los arqueólogos en los diferentes países, un hecho que obviamente no pasa en ciencias como la biología, la química o la física. ¿Por qué en la arqueología?
Una gran parte de la arqueología actual es estrictamente Interpretativa-estudios asociados al género, postprocesionalismo, síntesis de datos ya disponibles, etc. -, pero por otra parte, muchos de nuestros modelos teóricos e interpretativos están basados en datos pobremente reunidos o en excavaciones de mala calidad.
Por otra parte, existe una tendencia hacia proyectos arqueológicos Cada vez más fragmentados: en lugar de excavar un yacimiento entero para una finalidad investigadora, se vigila la instalación de la canalización del agua y se documentan las observaciones realizadas. Sin métodos de excavación y técnicas de documentación estandarizadas, ¿cómo se pueden combinar los datos recogidos en una "observación" con los datos obtenidos en cualquier otro proyecto del mismo yacimiento?
En esta sesión queremos tomar la oportunidad que nos ofrece el "final del siglo/ milenio" y recapacitar seriamente sobre el negocio "sucio" de la excavación. Podemos mirar hacia atrás y observar cómo hemos estado excavando en el pasado y quizás de este modo iniciar una discusión sobre metodología arqueológica en el futuro. Podemos contrastar los sistemas empleados en los diferentes paises y quizás de esta manera aprender el uno del otro.
Los siguientes temas se pueden examinar: estratigrafia · descripcion de las tierras · sistemas de documentación · métodos de excavación · relación entre documentación y excavación · topografía · sistemas de localizacion de yacimientos etc.Session Abstract (German):
Die Mitglieder des EAA wissen allmählich, daß es beträchtliche Unterschiede gibt in der Art und Weise wie in den verschiedenen Ländern ausgegraben wird. Diese Tatsache steht im völligen Gegensatz zu solchen „exakten" Wissenschaften wie Biologie, Chemie oder Physik. Ist dies ein Problem?
Wenn man in Betracht zieht, wieviel in der heutigen Archäologie lediglich Interpretation ist Geschlechtsforschung, Postprozessionalismus und andere bereits vorhandenen Datensynthesen- muß man sich die Frage stellen, in wie weit unsere theoretischen und interpretativen Modelle auf unzulänglich gesammelten Fakten beruht, z.B. mangelhaft freigelegte Fundorte.
Ein weiterer wichtiger Trend ist die immer mehr an Bedeutung gewinnenden kleinteiligen Grabungsprojekte: Anstatt einen Fundort für wissenschaftliche Zwecke vollständig auszugraben, werden z.B. Kanalisationsarbeiten archäologisch begleitet und dokumentiert. Ohne einheitliche Grabungsmethoden und Dokumentationstechniken kann eine solche kleinteilige Untersuchung nicht mit den Ergebnissen an anderer Stelle des gleichen Fundortes verglichen werden.
In diese Sektion wollen wir die Gelegenheit ergreifen, die das Ende/der Anfang eines Millenniums bietet, uns ernsthaft mit dem „schmutzigen Grabungsgeschäft" auseinanderzusetzen. Wir können zusammenfassen, wie wir bisher ausgegraben haben und vielleicht eine Diskussion eröffnen, wie dies in Zukunft geschehen kann. Wirkönnen erfahren, wie die Archäologen aus anderen Ländern ihre Grabungen durchführen und vielleicht davon lernen.
Folgende Themen sollten/könnten untersucht werden:
· Stratigraphie
· Bodenbeschreibungen
· Dokumentationssysteme
· Ausgrabungsmethoden
· Beziehungen zwischen Dokumentation und Ausgrabung
· Vermessung
· Prospektionsmethoden
Etc.
This session is kindly sponsored by the Highways Agency Session organizers:
Dr John Williams, Directorate of Strategic Planning, Kent County Council, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1XX. UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)1622 221534 Fax: +(0)1622 221636, Email: john.williams@kent.gov.ukand Cesar Parcero, Departamento de Historia I, Facultade de Xeografia e Historia, Praza da Universidade, 1, 15703 Santiago de Compostela, SPAIN. Tel: +981 583300. Fax: +981 582144. Email: phcpar@usc.esSession abstract (English):Recent years have seen the increasing integration of archaeology within planning systems and as a significant element of Environmental Assessment programmes. The principle that the "polluter pays" has become widespread, and the number of projects being undertaken is now far greater than ever before. In this context decision-making needs to be based on effective "assessment" and "evaluation" procedures. One of the most difficult types of project to deal with are those involving linear routes or narrow corridors, for examples roads, railways, pipelines, and services.
This session focuses on the assessment and evaluation of the archaeological significance and importance of linear routes. The aim is to explore the effectiveness of current procedures as predictive tools, and in terms of their practical implementation. Are the techniques used appropriate? How can they be improved? Do they focus too much on known archaeology and simply elaborate what is already known? What kinds of archaeology are we missing and how might this be better covered in future?Session abstract (Spanish):
En los últimos años hemos asistido a la progresiva integración de la arqueología en proyectos de planeamiento y como parte integrante e importante de programas de Evaluación de Impacto Arqueológico. El principio de que "el que contamina, paga" (traducido a la arqueología como "el que destruye, paga") se ha ido generalizando, y el número de proyectos ejecutados bajo esta premisa es ahora mayor que nunca. Dentro de este contexto, los procesos de toma de decisiones deben basarse en procedimientos de "evaluación" efectivos. Una de las clases de proyecto más difíciles de afrontar es la de obras de trazado lineal, como carreteras, líneas férreas, gasoductos o canalizaciones.
Esta sesión se centra en los procedimientos de evaluación y corrección del impacto arqueológico en obras de trazado lineal. El objetivo esencial es analizar la validez de los procedimientos actuales de trabajo como herramientas predictivas y la forma en que son utilizados en la práctica. ¿Estamos empleando las técnicas adecuadas? ¿Cómo podemos mejorarlas? ¿Nos estamos ocupando tan sólo de documentar aquellas formas del registro arqueológico que ya conocemos? ¿Qué otras formas del registro arqueológico estamos desatendiendo y cómo podemos llegar a ocuparnos de ellas?
Session organizers:Silvia Costantini, ABACO-MAC Srl, ITALY. Email: s.costantini@abaco-mac.it; and Silvia Valbonesi, ABACO-MAC Srl, ITALY. Email: silvia@abaco-mac.it and Antony Eddison, University of Teeside. Email: AntonyJE@aol.comSession abstract (English):If the tools archaeologists are presently using to research, excavate and interpret their findings are rapidly changing and improving with advances in technology, should not the ways in which this information is communicated take better advantage of the opportunites that the WWW,digital imaging and multimedia now present us with?
Both archaeologists and publishers have now to come to terms with and exploit these new domains, which implies a modification in the relationship between authors and publishers, authors and readers, readers, texts and images.
This session aims to explore these domains for all those involved in the world of archaeological publishing and discuss the major issues involved in the future of the dissemination of information at the 'dawn of the third millennium'.Session abstract (Italian):
Se gli strumenti attualmente utilizzati dagli archeologi per ricercare, scavare e interpretare stanno rapidamente cambiando e migliorando grazie alle nuove tecnologie non dovrebbero forse modificarsi anche i supporti informativi utilizzati per divulgare gli esiti di ricerche, scavi, interpretazioni, grazie alle opportunità offerte dal WWW, digital imaging e multimedia? Archeologi ed editori dovranno sempre più tener conto e utilizzare queste nuove possibilità che implicano cambiamementi rilevanti nel rapporto tra autori ed editori, autori e lettori, lettori, testo e immagini: La sessione si propone di analizzare questi temi nell'ambito dell'editoria archeologica e di dibatterne gli aspetti più rilevanti per il futuro della divulgazione scientifica archeologica 'all'alba del terzo millennio'.
Session organizers:Staffan Lundén, Institute of Ancient History and Clasical Archaeology, Department of Classics, University of Göteborg, Box 200, 405 30 Göteborg, SWEDEN. Fax: +31 7735290 Neil Brodie and Chris Scarre, Illicit Antiquities Research Centre, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)1223 339291. Fax: +44(0)1223 333536. Email:njb1012@hermes.cam.ac.ukSession abstract (English):Europe is one of the major marketplaces for the trade in material looted from archaeological sites and museums around the world. The archaeological community is increasingly alarmed as the illegal excavation of antiquities to feed these trade has led to widespread destruction. As a result, the heritage of many countries is now under threat. Papers in this session will consider both ethical and practical aspects of the trade and primary information or first hand accounts will be particularly welcome.
Session abstract (French):
L'Europe constitue l'un des marchés le plus grand pour le commerce en objets pillés des sites archéologiques et des musées à l'echelle mondiale. La communauté archéologique s'alarme de plus en plus pendant que la fouille clandestine d'antiquités destinés à alimenter ce commerce entraîne une destruction générale. Par conséquent, il se trouve aujourd'hui que le patrimoine national d'un grand nombre de pays est grièvement menacé. Les communications présentées dans cette séance s'occuperont des aspects ainsi éthique que pratique de ce commerce. Les comptes rendus du terrain et les renseignments de première main seront avant tout appréciés.
Ethics
and the excavation and treatment of human remains: A European perspective
This session is kindly sponsored by Historic Scotland Session organizer:
Dr Margaret Cox, School of Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset. BH12 5BB. UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)1202 595471. Fax: +(0)01202 595525. Email: mcox@bournemouth.ac.ukSession abstract (English):While much has been written about the excavation of human remains, post excavation analysis and their subsequent curation and / or reburial in North America, Australia and Israel, the European perspective remains largely unexplored. As a continent we have largely been exempt from the dilemmas arising in North America and Australia and consequently, few European countries have a formal policy on this subject (Scotland being an exception. See: Historic Scotland (1997) The treatment of human remains in archaeology. Historic Scotland Operational Policy Paper 5).
Should this be the case? Should each country develop and implement a policy reflecting their historical and contemporary religious and cultural framework? Would it be possible to develop an acceptable pan-European policy or policies for specific regions, either geographical or based on religious and cultural factors? Or, is the Vermillion Accord (1989) all that we need?
Scenarios and the accompanying bad publicity for archaeology that colleagues in other continents have had to deal with may well arise one day in Europe. It is possible that the development of policies concerning the treatment of the dead might mitigate against such a situation arising. If this principle is agreed, who should be involved in the preparation of such policies? Archaeologists and anthropologists do not own the past and many groups of people perceive that they have a legitimate interest in the future of the dead.
Speakers from across Europe are invited to contribute to this session, looking at the subject in its broadest terms but including such specifics as:Is it legitimate to excavate human remains from all archaeological contexts? If not all, which categories of burial should be excluded and why? Assuming that excavation has taken place - is destructive sampling acceptable? Should human remains be reburied? Should human remains be displayed in a museum context? Who should decide?
Session organizers:Dr John Williams, Directorate of Strategic Planning, Kent County Council, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1XX. UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)1622 221534 Fax: +(0)1622 221636 Email: john.williams@kent.gov.ukSession abstract (English):The aim of the session is to develop understanding of the role of local government in archaeology across the various parts of Europe. An initial session at Gotheborg highlighted the variety of approaches currently operating. It is hoped for Bournemouth that it will be possible to extend the geographical coverage. Prospective speakers are sought who are actively involved in heritage management at a local government level in their respective countries, particularly in relation to the maintenance of 'Sites and Monuments records' and the safeguarding and management of archaeological sites through the planning process. The session will aim to compare experiences, looking at opportunities for networking and cooperation.
Contract archaeology: Its effect on the creation of the archaeological recordThis session is kindly sponsored by Wessex Archaeology Session organizer:
Jeff Chartrand, School of Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset. BH12 5BB. UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)1202 595317. Fax: +(0)1202 595255. Email: jchartra@bournemouth.ac.ukSession abstract (English):The rise of contract archaeology in Europe has been viewed by many archaeologists with concern particularly as it has, and continues to be, driven by economic and social forces operating primarily outside of archaeology. Development of policies such as ‘the polluter pays’ are now established tenets in most planning and development legislation and directly impact the process of commercial fieldwork. At present our understanding of contract archaeology and its relationship to the archaeological resource is poorly understood and often seen in a negative light. Is contract archaeology truly different from research archaeology or is it simply the introduction of clarification and responsibility for all participants in commercial archaeological field work? The time has come for archaeologists to examine the myths and look at the facts of contract archaeology and determine if the concerns about the negative effects are accurate, or if contract archaeology is the next logical step in the drive for professional conduct.
The session will allow archaeologists to compare experiences, examining both the positive and negative aspects of contract archaeology with a view to a better understanding and appreciation of the strengths and pitfalls of this approach.
Session organizers:
Intellectual tourism - A new dawn in heritage presentationDr Richard Newman, Director, Lancaster University Archaeological Unit, Storey Institute, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TH Tel: +44(0)1524-848606; Fax: +44(0)1524-848606 and Dr Gerald A Wait, Principal Archaeologist, Gifford and Partners Ltd, Carlton House, Ringwood Rd, Southampton, SO40 7HT, Tel: +44(0)1703-813461;Fax: +44(0)1703-813462; Email: mail@giffeng.co.ukSession abstract (English):Our knowledge of archaeological remains is a cultural artefact conditioned by the interests of individuals, and the nature and concerns of the societies within which these individuals operate. Thus, the mechanisms which allow archaeological investigation to be undertaken condition the character of the record created. With much archaeological research in Europe being carried out as part of contractual agreements between commercial sponsors and professional archaeologists, it is essential that the impact and implications of such work on the creation of the archaeological record are assessed and appreciated. Archaeological work that is circumscribed to meet certain criteria, as for example the requirements of the planning control system in the United Kingdom, will produce a different archaeological record to that produced by archaeological investigations driven by other interests or mechanisms.
The purpose of this session would be to examine the different ways in which contract archaeology is influencing the development of the archaeological record across Europe. This session includes an analysis of the consequences of specific approaches, an attempt to establish likely lacunae in the record, and will look at ways in which current problems posed by contract archaeology may be best addressed.
Public prehistories: Engaging stories of archaeological interpretationThis session is kindly sponsored by Andante Travels in Archaeology Session organizer:
Dr Matilde Gonzalez Mendez, Departamento de Historia I, Facultade de Xeografia e Historia, Praza da Universidade, 1, 15703 Santiago de Compostela, SPAIN. Tel: +981 583300. Fax: +981 582144. Email: phmatm@usc.es.Session abstract (English):We may define intellectual tourism as a type of tourism whose principal attraction lies in the cultural values derived from visiting an area. As a discipline which deals with intellectual values generated by the investigation and interpretation of remains from the past, archaeology has a role to play in this tourism which offers an alternative to sun and beaches. However, what intellectual values are offered to the public when heritage is presented as a tourist attraction?
Answering this question means distinguishing between the past, as a construction made by a society to explain a part of its reality, and material remains (sites) which represent this past.
In primitive societies the remains of the past do not signify why for them the past, as we understand it, does not exist. In traditional societies (peasant societies and in general those which take the land as a living environment), the remains of the past signify the daily territory, generally as a space of the otherness of other individuals (fairies and elves) which are different from the group which actually populates that territory. This meaning, orally transmitted, has gradually disappeared through the introduction of new, written discourses, which an educated elite has developed over these remains. Similarly through the lack of contact with the land and a sense of place, space today fundamentally signifies a territory of economic activity.
With the traditional discourse having disappeared, and without the scientific discourse having had great impact upon the public, many remains are offered as islands of calm and safety, in the face of an uncertain future.
Remains may be a tourist attraction, yet which values create contact between these remains and a public to which the past barely has a meaning? How is it possible to give sense to the past through visiting its remains? It is necessary to seek answers to these questions and others resulting from this problem, in order to introduce the remains of the past into the network of intellectual tourism.Session abstract (Spanish):
Podríamos definir al turismo intelectual como modalidad de turismo cuya principal atracción son los valores culturales que se derivan de la visita a una zona. Como disciplina que trata con valores intelectuales generados por la investigación e interpretación de los restos del pasado, la arqueología tiene un papel en este turismo que constituye una alternativa al de sol y playa. Pero ¿qué valores intelectuales se ofrecen al público cuando se ofertan el patrimonio como atracción turística?
Responder a esto pasa por distinguir entre pasado, como constructo que una sociedad realiza para explicar una parte de su realidad y vestigios materiales, (yacimientos) que representan ese pasado.
En las sociedades primitivas los vestigios del pasado no significan porque para ellas el pasado, como nosotros lo entendemos, no existe. En las sociedades tradicionales (campesinas) y en general las que tienen la tierra como medio de vida), los vestigios del pasado significan al territorio cotidiano, generalmente como espacio de la otredad, de otros individuos (hadas y duendes) distintos al grupo actual que puebla ese territorio. Esta significación transmitida oralmente, ha ido desapareciendo por la introducción de un nuevo discurso, el escrito, que una élite instruida desarrolla sobre los vestigios. También por la pérdida de contacto con la tierra, del sentido del lugar pues hoy el espacio significa, fundamentalmente territorio de actividad económica.
Desaparecido el discurso tradicional y sin que el científico haya penetrado entre el público, muchos vestigios se ofrecen como islas de calma, de seguridad frente a un futuro incierto.
Los vestigios pueden ser atracción turística pero ¿que valores genera el contacto con estos vestigios a un público al que el pasado apenas resulta significativo?. ¿Cómo ofrecer sentido al pasado a través de la visita a sus restos? Buscar respuestas a estas cuestiones y otras derivadas de la problemática planteada es necesario para introducir los vestigios del pasado en el entramado del turismo intelectual.
Session organizer:Angela Piccini, CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments, Crown Building, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NQ, Wales, UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +(0)1222-500200; Fax: +(0)1222-826375; Email: a.a.piccini@cableinet.co.uk and Bill Bevan, Peak Disrict National Park Authority, Aldern House, Bakewell, Derbyshire DA45 1AE, UNITED KINGDOM . Tel: +(0)1629 816200; Fax: +(0)1629 816310; Email: archserv@peakdistrict.orgSession abstract (English):Across Europe ‘archaeology’/‘prehistory’/‘the past’/‘heritage’ is being presented and interpreted for people. Interpretation takes on a variety of forms, from excavation open days to heritage theme parks, from formal talks to school theatre role-playing activities. There is even an EU committee dedicated to creating tourist travel routes called ‘Celtic Routes’! In Britain, the Channel 4 TV series ‘Time Team’ has revitalised wide interest in archaeology, as well as in the work of archaeologists.
Why are people interested in the past and who is the audience? Is the public an ‘undifferentiated mass’ which needs to be fed facts, or is it comprised of individuals who have their own many and varied creative perceptions of prehistory? How do we as archaeologists and heritage managers engage people with prehistory and the work of archaeologists in exciting and dynamic ways? What meanings do we invest in presentation and interpretation, and how do we make sense of such issues as authenticity, truth and subjectivity, uses of the past in the present, and the commodification of leisure? These are all questions which we seek to address.
In this session, a variety of interpretative projects across Europe which work towards engaging people with prehistory will be presented.Session abstract (Spanish):
En Europa se presenta y se interpreta para el público la arqueología / la prehistoria / el pasado / el patrimonio. La interpretación tiene varias formas, desde los días abiertos para la excavación hasta los parques con tema, del patrimonio; desde una conferencia oficial hasta el teatro escolar. Hay incluso un comité de la UE dedicado a crear rutas de viaje para turistas, llamadas ‘rutas celtas’.
En Gran Bretaña, el ciclo de programas de televisión del Canal 4, Time Team, ha revitalizado en gran medida el interés por la arqueología y por el trabajo del arqueológo.
¿Porqué le interesa el pasado a la gente, y quién es el público? Es una masa no diferenciada, que necesita los hechos, o se trata de individuos con numerosas y variadas percepciones creadoras de la prehistoria. Como arqueólogos y gerentes del patrimonio ¿de qué manera interesante y dinámica hacemos que la gente se interese por la prehistoria y por la obra del arqueólogo? ¿Qué medios empleamos en la presentación y en la interpretación, y cómo explicamos el sentido de la autenticidad, de la verdad y subjetividad, del uso del pasado en el presente y del recreo como artículo? Estas son preguntas que intentamos aclarar.
En esta sesión se presentará en Europa una variedad de proyectos interpretativos dirigidos a despertar el interés de la gente por la prehistoria
Professional
training in archaeology
Session organizer:Liberty and archaeology: the Libertarian approach to archaeologyJohn Collis, Department of Archaeology and Prehistory, University of Sheffield, Northgate House, West Street, Sheffield. S1 4ET. UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +(0)114 2222914; Fax: +(0)114 272 2563; Email: j.r.collis@sheffield.ac.ukSession abstract (English):This round table is proposed with the following aims:
1) To discuss how post-university training is organised in various countries and which institutions should be involved.
2) To share experiences and plans for the future.
3) To explore possibilities for international co-operation.
The main theme for this session will be ‘Continuing Professional Development’, that is the training which archaeologists receive once they have completed their academic training and have embarked on their careers. In Britain this is a major area of activity at present, as we feel there is a lack of a clear career structure for graduates entering the profession, with posts poorly defined, and a general lack of relevant training. This has led to a big drop-out of people at an early stage of their careers, when they find that conditions of work, pay, etc, are not what they had hoped. Provisional speakers include myself talking about developments in the Institute of Field Archaeologists (e.g. the use of log-books for documenting training), and Gill Chitty on the National Training Forum set up by English Heritage to provide an overall strategy for England. However, I would like to have contributions from the State Archaeological Institutes of central and eastern Europe, and research centres such as Lattes and Mont Beuvray in France to discuss their potential roles both nationally and internationally, as well as individuals to talk about their personal experiences. The second part of the discussion will look at how we should be co-operating in Europe (e.g. should log-books become international to allow movement of labour?), and how we can be organising joint projects as has been done recently to provide training for directors of large-scale projects. Bob Hook of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) will initiate discussion on potential sources of European funding.
Session organizer:EU funding programmes and how to benefit from them (round table)Andrew Selkirk, 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +(0)171 435 7517; Fax: +(0)171 435 7517; Email:selkirk@cix.compulink.co.uk Further details from organizer's web pageSession abstract (English):The 20th century has been a dismal time for the libertarian in archaeology, as the state has advanced everywhere, until we are now in a position that archaeology is not considered respectable and in most countries not even allowed unless it is sponsored by the state. It is only in Britain, and to some extent America, that the libertarian ideal of archaeology independent of the state still survives.
The session would consider the libertarian position on three main propositions. Firstly, the problem of illegal and illicit trade. There is an implication here that all trade in antiquities should be illegal. However if the trade were to be legalised by privatising the past - if farmers owned the antiquities discovered on their property - the problem of looting would be vastly reduced. How would this work? The session will also consider the parallel problems of wildlife conservation and the trade in ivory.
Secondly, the related problem of "the archaeology of nationalism". Here, as archaeologists, we are quite illogical. On the one hand we think that Nationalism is wrong: on the other hand we encourage states to nationalise their past, and retain all the objects from their past within their own territory, so that the world museum cannot exist. We need to sort out our own ideas on this one.
Thirdly, the problem of the European Union. Whereas British archaeological legislation is probably the most libertarian in the world, European legislation on the whole is among the most authoritarian. Can the differing approaches of Britain and Europe be reconciled? Or will this be yet another case where it will be Britain versus Europe?
Session organizer:In-situ preservation and mitigationPeter Chowne, UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44(0)171-8397858 Fax: +44(0)171 9302594 Email: peter@genius-loci.co.ukSession abstract (English):Archaeologists often have very mixed feelings about getting involved in European Union funding programmes. Whilst it is true that tendering can be complex, time consuming and often financially unrewarding there sufficient benefits to make it worthwhile for some archaeological organisations to become involved. These include prestige, linking with other researchers, financial support for projects, contact with EC officials who have a 'say' in the decision making process and they can be a way of influencing future programmes.
The seminar will bring together a small number of experts in European Affairs and archaeologists who have participated in European Union programmes, with the objective of describing how the European Institutions work, the decision making process, sources of information, current programmes and strategies for successful tendering.
As we approach the next millennium, more and more primary archaeological data is being recorded in a digital format, as should be the case. Furthermore, the publications which interpret that data are themselves likely to be electronic. This dependence upon electronic data and electronic publications raises urgent issues of preservation and access to archaeological data. The Internet can provide unparalleled access to data and presentations thereof, but the data and the presentations exist in digital formats that are notoriously fragile. The aim of this session is to review recent initiatives in the United Kingdom and the United States concerned with the preservation and dissemination of digital information. Papers will discuss the needs of data users, preservation strategies, the interface between archive and publication, and mechanisms for resource discovery. It is intended that the session will raise awareness of the digital preservation crisis in archaeology and lead to a framework for positive action.
Theme
Session
abstract (English):
Recommendations will be prepared for the EAA (the committee or the business
meeting, as appropriate).
Session
Chairs:
Session
abstract (English):
In recent decades, archaeologists have become increasingly aware of their responsibility to the public and their need to communicate effectively the results of archaeological research to larger audiences. This roundtable workshop and discussion session will focus on new approaches to the public presentation and interpretation of archaeological sites in Europe and neighboring regions. How can the archaeological site—as both local and universal heritage—become a vehicle for education to the general public about our multi-cultural past? What technologies and narrative techniques can be utilized to make a visit to an archaeological site an enjoyable and rewarding cultural experience for people of all ages? The participants in this roundtable workshop will discuss new views of heritage presentation that present a wide spectrum of voices and perspectives that can, at times, be in conflict. The main topics to be addressed in this roundtable include recent trends in archaeological heritage; new methodologies in narrative; character-based interpretation and the presentation of varied viewpoints; and new multi-media and high-tech approaches to public outreach through heritage presentation.
Session
abstract (English):
Since the end of
the Cold War in 1990 the opportunities for aerial reconnaissance and access
to existing aerial photographs have increased in many (though not all)
European countries. In the past nine years there has been huge progress
in terms of training in reconnaissance and mapping, co-operation and liaison
between former soviet bloc countries and other European states. There
have also been enormous advances in technology which have changed the ways
in which aerial survey in all countries has been carried
out.
Therefore the time is now ripe for a discussion on the future approach
and best practice for aerial survey in terms of reconnaissance, mapping
and interpretation, synthesis and understanding, training and dissemination
of information. This round table will debate these issues and aim
towards producing a 'Strategy for Aerial Survey in Europe; the way forward.'
Session
abstract (English):
Over a decade of experiences in the management of archaeological and historical parks in different European regions, highlighted the fact that just in very few cases, almost totally confined to sites of the greatest monumentality, parks can be sustained only by the income derived from visitors. The sustainability is mostly based on resources from other activities, aggregated to the park. The seminar is aimed to bring together the positive and negative experiences from the wide variety of cases, in order to provide suggestions for future strategies.
During the last twenty
or so years Archaeology within the education system has come a long
way or has it? Through the education system it is necessary for archaeology
to expand in order to gain more popularity and interest amongst our youngsters,
which in turn moulds the way in which we feel towards our heritage.
The session will be divided into three parts :
First part - What are the programs and or curriculums presently in place
in elementary and secondary schools in connection with teaching archaeology
in specific countries eg: UK, France and Japan.
Second part - Are these programs and curriculums successful and how can
we improve on these.
Third part - What can we expect to see in the future.
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