Güneş Duru (Istanbul University), Brenna Hassett (Natural History Museum London)
THEME ABSTRACT
The Discovery theme highlights new results from across the spectrum of archaeology. The theme will include sessions on recent findings within distinct regional and chronological research areas as well as new discoveries from every aspect of archaeological endeavour. Reports from fieldwork are welcomed, as are recent finds from laboratory analysis and other types of investigation. Sessions in this theme are also welcome to discuss new fieldwork and laboratory techniques.
Under the theme of ‘Discovery’ we specifically invite submissions proposing sessions on regional or chronological areas of interest which highlight multiple aspects of archaeological discovery and bring together ‘field’ discovery with results and new findings from laboratory or other analyses. Sessions which offer the opportunity for knowledge exchange between different regions are also invited.
Session Proposals for the Discovery Theme are encouraged along the following lines:
1) Reports from the field – sessions with either a specific regional or chronological focus which bring together researchers with similar interests are encouraged
2) Laboratory results and analysis – both new findings and the use of new analytical methods to reinterpret archaeological data are invited
3) Integration and interpretation – new ways of bring multiple research strands together in archaeological interpretation
Sessions
The Prospect of Archaeological Research in South Asia
Manoj Kumar Singh, (University of Delhi, India); Luiz Oosterbeek, (Instituto Politecnico de Tomar, Portugal)
Abstract
The discovery is most important findings in Archaeology. It unearths the treasure of the past and gives new idea and dimensions of the past as well as the future. South Asia is a very potential area which needs focusing in coming decade.
The session envisages to re-examining the issues of dispersal of _Homo sapiens_ through South Asia. In fact even the issue of _Homo erectus_ dispersal would appear to be more closely investigated in view of the date of 1.5 million years ago of Attirampakkam an Acheulian site from Tamilnadu state of South India. Consequently, the entire exercise of Archaeological investigation should now be viewed in terms of the various emerging issues of Palaeolithic research. Even the emergence of Mesolithic in South Asia is now rising as far more important in view of the radio-carbon dated form Kurnool cave in Andhra Pradesh. The dates of Batadombalena in Sri Lanka should throw some important lines in understanding changes in Holocene period in South Asia.
The session invites a paper of new discovery and reports from all the braches of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology from not only South Asia but all over the world.
New Data, New Ideas on The Neolithic of Southwest Asia
Gunes Duru (Istanbul University, Turkey); Mihriban Ozbasaran (Istanbul University, Turkey)
Abstract
The Neolithic, as one of the crucial stages in humanity’s past, commands specific attention in prehistory, and this session invites the participation of researchers working on the Neolithic of Southwest Asia. In the past decade interdisciplinary projects have made major progress in understanding the Neolithic way of life in this part of the world. The session aims to share the recent results of field and laboratory work among the researchers working in different areas in SW Asia and it welcomes synthesis and contextual contributions in any of the following topics:
· Sedentism
· Subsistence
· Technology
· Spatial organisation and settlement patterns
· Behavioural aspects
· Interaction and exchange
Hidden Worlds – Revealing the Microscopic Archaeological Record
Lisa-Marie Shillito (University of York, United Kingdom); Julie Boreham, (Earthslides.com)
Abstract
This is the second exhibition from Hidden Worlds, after our successful first show at the WAC-7 conference in Dublin 2008. Thin section micromorphology is a powerful technique forinvestigating the archaeological record, but can be difficult to explain to those outside the discipline. This poster presentation takes the form of an art exhibition, complete with catalogue, that demonstrates the archaeological information that we can gather by viewing sediments under the microscope. This year we are showcasing a case study from Paisley Caves, Oregon USA. Paisley is of particular significance as it provides evidence of the earliest occupation of North America. Micromorphology of the sediments provides a history of the human use of the cave, and the formation processes of the archaeological record. Come and see these beautiful images and discover the hidden worlds of the microscopic archaeological record!
New discoveries, new results
Brenna R. Hassett, (Natural History Museum London, United Kingdom); Gunes Duru, (Istanbul University)
Abstract
This session will present a broad range of recent archaeological and laboratory finds which demonstrate the breadth of disciplinary research. New results from archaeological fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and other investigatory methods will be presented. A wide range of work from disparate geographic regions and time periods will be brought together to emphasize the scope of current archaeological research. The organisers encourage submission of papers that highlight new applications of fieldwork or laboratory methods in regions and areas of study where they have not previously been tested.
Archaeology in Iraq
Katharyn Hanson, (University of Chicago, United States of America); Abdulamir Hamdani, (Stony Brook University)
Abstract
This symposium explores the results of recent archaeological fieldwork in Iraq. As the political and economic situation in Iraq has changed new research opportunities are available and promise to contribute to a better understanding of this region. This research covers time periods from the earliest occupations in the region to the historical period and geographically ranges from the marshes in southern Iraq to mountainous Kurdistan in Northern Iraq to the desert in western Iraq. We specifically seek to bring the results of recent fieldwork into conversation with new findings from other forms of analysis including remote sensing. The session will include the results of new surveys, excavations, and recent findings based on previous fieldwork. These papers will offer the unique opportunity to learn about new archaeological discoveries in Iraq in both Arabic and English. The Archaeology in Iraq session at WAC-7 will take place in connection with The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.