Having recently accepted a position as Research Associate and Southeastern
Regional Archaeologist in the Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State
University, I am eager to dive into the archaeology of the Southeastern
U.S.  So, I propose to put together a session for the 2001 SHA meetings
to be held in Mobile, AL.  The conference theme being "Colonial Origins",
I have tentatively titled the session, "Bridging the 'Great Divide':
Current Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Continuity, Conflict,
Negotiation and Change in the Greater Southeast, ca A.D. 1100-1850."

Recently both (ethno)historians and archaeologists have challenged us to
look beyond the "Great Divide" between "prehistory" (a construct that
needs to be critically examined) and history.  Researchers such as
Galloway, Lightfoot and Salisbury urge us to look for the ways that
historical processes and trajectories of the pre-and proto-colonial
periods shaped the encounters between Natives and newcomers during and
beyond the colonial period.

I am looking for papers that adopt a critical approach to both the
documentary and material records.  Papers should illustrate
their approach with data from specific case studies.  In keeping with the
"interdisciplinary" nature of this venture, I plan to have at least one
discussant from outside the field of archaeology.  Please feel free to
forward this message to anyone you think maybe interested.

Thank You,


Rob Mann
Department of Anthropology
SUNY-Binghamton
Binghamton, New York 13902