THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
All Conceivable Archaeologies
This report on the academic programme for WAC4 has been written by Antonia Malan who, with Margot Winer, is responsible for collating the many paper and symposia proposals that have been received, and for allocating them to the broad Congress themes. Given the extraordinary diversity of world archaeology today, this is no easy task . . .
We have received abstracts for papers on topics ranging from volcanic eruptions to trace element analysis, from shipwrecks to arid zone farming, from battlefields to classrooms … and reports on archaeological sites from Alaska to Zimbabwe.
It is exciting to see the range of countries that are going to be represented in Cape Town, and in particular we welcome contacts with archaeologists from around the southern hemisphere. Within each topic on the academic programme, therefore, you can expect to share or debate opinions with other archaeologists from every continent.
The Congress programme is going to be extremely full. To accommodate every presentation, and yet allow debate to take place, we have grouped symposia under broad themes which will be scheduled to run throughout the four days. You can then pick the issues that interest you and follow developments as they emerge. Some major themes are also linked to workshops and other events: for instance “The Archaeology of Identity”, “Heritage and Archaeology”, “Archaeology and Repatriation” and “Education and the Past”.
In the middle of the day, as a break from the more intense academic presentations, you will be able to listen to well-known speakers who have been invited to give keynote lectures. These will address questions of topical and popular interest and provide up-to-date regional overviews.
The Preliminary Programme has now been published, and has been sent to all who have registered or requested further information.