CHAT 2006
Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Bristol
Friday 10 - Sunday 12 November 2006
http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/events/chat2006.html
We are delighted to be able to announce advance details of the fourth
annual meeting of the CHAT conference group. The theme for the meeting
will be 'Doing Contemporary and Historical Archaeology: Method and
Practice in Archaeologies of the Recent and Contemporary Past'.
Archaeological studies of the recent and contemporary past are
characterised by an increasingly wide range of methods and practices, made
possible by the proximity and sheer quantities of their material. These
methodologies form an increasingly significant part of the field's broader
contributions to interdisciplinary studies of materiality and material
culture, and to theory and practice in other periods of archaeology.
Returning to Bristol, CHAT 2006 takes stock of them.
CHAT is an international conference group bringing together archaeologists
and others working on the recent and contemporary past. For further
details, see the CHAT homepage -
http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/events/chat.html
The 2006 meeting asks: What do contemporary and historical archaeologists
do? In the field, at their desks, and elsewhere? The conference will
consider, compare and celebrate the distinctive, diverse and creative
methods and practices that are emerging in this field of archaeology,
considering interdisciplinary relationships - especially with social
anthropology, cultural geography and the creative arts - and future
possibilities.
There are many approaches in contemporary and historical archaeology to
recording landscapes and standing buildings. To field survey, excavation
and intervention. To the archaeological use of primary and secondary
documentary sources. To studying excavated or collected material
assemblages. To undertaking oral history and site-specific interviews for
archaeological purposes. To working with communities and individuals. To
narrative styles and finding multiple voices, storytelling and
performance. To stills photography, film and new media, for archaeological
documentation or representation. To studying ephemerality, immateriality
or transience in archaeological perspective. To walking and documenting.
Writing and film-making. Digging and talking. Visiting and recording.
Often, contemporary and historical archaeologies engage with the practices
of others through collaborations - working with ethnographers or artists,
for instance - appropriating new methods for archaeology, or promoting
dialogue across disciplines.
We invite challenging paper presentations which address any aspect of
these matters of method and practice in relation to archaeologies of the
recent and contemporary past. Joint contributions from archaeologists and
non-archaeologists are particularly encouraged. Papers from emerging
scholars, international colleagues and from archaeologists based outside
Higher Education Institutions are especially welcomed. Multimedia or
performed presentations are welcome as well as conventional paper
presentations. All sessions will be plenary.
300-500 word paper abstracts should be sent as soon as possible, and by 31
March 2006 at the latest, to [log in to unmask] For CHAT 2006,
1,500-3,000 word paper summaries will be expected from contributors by 1
September 2006 for posting on the CHAT web pages.
CHAT 2006 will be held in the Wickham Theatre, University of Bristol, and
hosted by the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology. The Organising
Committee for CHAT 2006 is Dan Hicks, Angela Piccini, Laura McAtackney,
John Schofield, Christine Finn, Cassie Newland and Lisa Hill.
Full details are online at
http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/events/chat2006.html
General enquiries should be sent to [log in to unmask] or
[log in to unmask]
......
Dr Dan Hicks
Archaeology & Anthropology
University of Bristol
http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/
|