I am working on quite a few areas connected with the conference theme
I might be interested in giving a paper either on something like the
history and archaeology of the hand grenade or an overview on the
archaeology of early modern sieges or on the philosophy of military
museums.
 
paul courtney, leicester
 
In message <[log in to unmask]>, Tony Pollard <T.Pollard@ARCHAEOL
OGY.ARTS.GLA.AC.UK> writes
>           Fields of Conflict:
>        Progress and Prospect
>                in
>        Battlefield Archaeology
>
>            A Conference
>
>           26th-27th February 2000
>
>                at the
>
>Dept. of Archaeology, University of Glasgow
>                in conjunction with
>Dept. of Archaeology, University of Liverpool
>                and
>The Scottish Centre for War Studies, University of Glasgow
>
>
>Over recent years there has been growing interest in the
>archaeological potential of battlefields.  This is partly associated
>with the  recognition that they represent an important part of our
>cultural  heritage, and one which for a variety of reasons may be
>under  threat.  Prior to the involvement of archaeologists, the study
>of  battlefields was the preserve of historians working with
>documentary records, although the wider appeal of the subject has
>also given rise to a plethora of re-enactment groups, the growth of
>battlefield tourism and the mass of popular literature devoted to
>militaria.  Initially, archaeologists generally limited themselves to
>the straightforward curation and recording of artefacts and other
>material remains relating to military engagements, many of which
>were recovered as by-products of the investigation of unrelated
>sites which just happened to be on battlefields.  However, recent
>work at a number of (historic) battlefields, notably in North
>America, has demonstrated what can be achieved through the
>combination of documentary analysis and the wide range of
>landscape survey techniques now associated with field
>archaeology.  These more recent developments include the use of
>archaeological data as a means of testing and questioning
>documentary accounts and histories and its potential to shed light
>on events which took place over very short periods of time,
>providing insight into actions and movements of small groups and
>even individuals during their experience of combat.
>
>
>In an attempt to encourage the development of this multi-
>disciplinary and research-driven approach to the study of
>battlefields, we are organising a conference which will draw
>together those working on various aspects of historic (medieval
>onwards) battlefield archaeology.  The meeting will be international
>in scope and aim to provide a forum for the presentation of the
>results of recent archaeo-historical work on battlefield sites while
>also considering future developments in the field. Other Issues
>which may be covered include: fieldwork methodology and
>applications, preservation and presentation of battlefields, the
>archaeology of related sites (field fortifications, cemeteries etc.),
>the treatment of human remains and artefact studies.
>
>
>Subject to sufficient interest, further details about costs,  sessions
>and other administrative arrangements will be  forwarded.  We plan
>to publish the proceedings.
>
>
>Expressions of interest, paper proposals and other queries
>should be addressed to :
>
>Dr Tony Pollard
>Dept of Archaeology,
>University of Glasgow,
>Glasgow G12 8QQ
>
>Tel. 0141 330 5541    email: [log in to unmask]
> fax. 0141 330 3863
>
> OR
>
> Dr. Phil Freeman
>Dept, of Archaeology
>William Hartley Building,
>University of Liverpool,
>Liverpool L69 3BX
>
> tel. 0151 794 4390 email: [log in to unmask]
>fax. 0151 794 5057
 
Paul Courtney
Leicester UK