Due to the resounding success and at the request of the participants of the
1st  Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) Symposium session at the 2010 SHA
International Conference at Amelia Island Florida,  Wondjina Research
Institute (WRI) and Country Chemist (CC)  in association with INNOV-X
Systems  is sponsoring the "2nd  International Symposium for Recent,
International advance in the use of pXRF and other portable, field
technologies for Archaeochemical Studies of Historic Sites     

 

 

1st Call for Presentations

 

Austin, Texas  USA

January  2011

2nd International Symposium for Recent, International advances in the use of
pXRF and other portable, field technologies for Archaeochemical studies of
Historic Sites

 

Organizers:

 

Dr. Claudia Brackett (California State University-Stanislaus and the
University of the Pacific) and  Mr. Richard Lundin, RPA (Wondjina Research
Institute) and sponsored by INNOV-X Systems

Below the surface of every landscape is chemical evidence of past human
activity and, potentially, an historic site.   Recent advances in the use of
portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF), RAMAN technologies and the reduction in
costs for laboratory analyses have made these technologies affordable for
field studies that "complete the circle of understanding" of historic era
terrestrial and marine sites through the integration of archaeochemistry,
Archaeogeophysics, literature research, oral interviews and excavation.

We are looking for presentations from terrestrial and marine archaeologists
who have used these new technologies for field and laboratory studies to
gain insights into human behavior from the chemical "signatures" that have
been left behind.  Presentations are encouraged that integrate
archaeochemical studies with Combined Survey Format (CSF) archaeogeophysical
studies, petrographic provenience studies of lithics, ceramics and metals
from field studies, museum studies, and heritage studies. International
presentations will be encouraged and it is hoped that many of the recent,
excellent, presentations that have been made in other, international, forums
will be presented.

 

Some of the basic topics that presentations are being solicited include but
are NOT LIMITED to


          Basic chemistry of site formation and human activities.
.         

          Chemical characterization of various site types and activities. 


.         Chemical characterization of marine sites via portable and
laboratory analyses of plant, animal and sediment materials.

.         Limits of use of archaeochemical data.

.         Issues of contamination: Background  chemical "noise" vs. "real
chemical signatures" of human activity.

.         Case histories and studies of use of these technologies.

.         History of use of archaeochemistry over time to define sites and
features.

 

          Integration of archaeochemical data into Combined Survey Format
studies.

 

          Use and limitations of archaeobiochemical studies.

 

          Research on deep sea field archaeochemical studies. 

 

          Archaeochemical data analysis.



We also working on a potential method to have remote participation for those
who cannot, physically, attend the conference. So, please, feel free to
submit even if you are constrained in your ability to travel to Austin  for
the session.

Proposals are due to WRI and CC by June 10, 2010 and should be sent to Dr.
Claudia Brackett at [log in to unmask]  For further information and to
discuss YOUR SUBMITTAL, please feel free to contact Rich Lundin, RPA at
[log in to unmask]"