I have been trying to organize a session for next year's SHA Conference,
entitled "Commodities in Global Perspective."  Essentially, my interest
and rationale behind organizing this session is stemming from a "Global
Historical Archaeology" and an interest in the global nature of
commodities trade, political economy, and a wide variety of other related
issues. A tentative abstract (to be better defined when all abstracts are
in) is also below.
 
Any interested parties can contact me privately at [log in to unmask]
There is still over a month before a session packet is due.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
 
Sincerely,
Lynda Carroll
 
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Proposed session for the 1998 SHA:
"Commodities in Global Perspective"
 
        In the past few years, the emergence of a global historical
archaeology has expanded our understandings of modernity and of the modern
era. One of the uniting principles behind a global
historical archaeology--or an archaeology of world capitalism--
is the commodification of material
culture on both global and local scales of analysis. The roles of
commodities are especially important for considering: the roles that
commodities play in shaping a global political economy; the growth of a
world system and a world market economy; and the individual's
use of "things" as a part of these processes. This session will
specifically examine how commodities can help bring greater understanding
to an historical archaeology which is truly global in nature.
 
 
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Lynda Carroll
Department of Anthropology
Binghamton University, SUNY
Binghamton, New York 13902-6000
e-mail: [log in to unmask]