On behalf of Drs. Marilyn Palmer and Audrey Horning, University of
Leicester:
CALL FOR PAPERS
Crossing Paths or Sharing Tracks?
Future Directions for the Archaeological Study of post-1550 Britain and
Ireland
University of Leicester, April 4-6, 2008
The conference aims to bring together representatives from the Society
for Post Medieval Archaeology, the Association for Industrial
Archaeology, the Contemporary Historical Archaeology and Theory list,
the Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group, and the Industrial Heritage
Association of Ireland to consider the commonalties between approaches
as well as the unique contributions made by members of each organisation
towards the study of the material heritage of the post-1550 period. The
impetus for this meeting lies in the expansion of interest in the period
in both university, commercial, and voluntary sectors. We seek to avoid
fragmentation of a still small discipline into subfields such as
pre-1750 post-medieval archaeology, post- 1750 industrial archaeology,
or the incorporation of theory as somehow outside of the purview of the
work of the older organisations. Through this discussion-focused
conference, we hope to foster enhanced understanding and cooperation
between the organisations and their approaches, with in-depth
consideration of the future of the broader field of historical
archaeology.
We envision the conference as an opportunity for participants to explore
differing perspectives on a series of broad themes impacting upon our
shared discipline and its practice in Britain and in Ireland. Session
themes include THEORY and PRACTICE to address interpretative issues as
well as considering the perceived divide between academic,
development-driven, and amateur approaches; MANAGING and INTERPRETING
to consider what our role as practitioners is or could be in relation to
legal frameworks for heritage; LANDSCAPES and INDUSTRY to consider urban
and rural connections, to highlight ignored landscapes of industry, and
to consider the merits of landscape approaches more generally; THINGS,
PEOPLE or BOTH? an opportunity to take a stand for what you see as the
core of archaeological inquiry; PRODUCTION and CONSUMPTION, to take a
fresh look at the relative importance of models of consumption and
production, and to also consider the role of scientific analysis in
post-medieval and industrial archaeology; BROADENING PARTICIPATION to
address the role of avocational practitioners, our responsibilities in
terms of public interpretation and participation, and the future of
formal education in the archaeology of the period; and THE WAY FORWARD?
discussion of the future for industrial, post-medieval, and historical
archaeologies.
Paper abstracts should be no more than 150 words in length, and
submitted by 1 September, 2007. If you are interested in participating
as a presenter or discussant, please contact the organisers:
Professor Marilyn Palmer Dr. Audrey Horning
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Andrew C. Edwards
Department of Archaeological Research
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187
757.220.7333
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