Greetings Hist Arch,


As some of you may know, I recently participated in a Wenner-Gren sponsored conference on Archaeology and Anarchist Theory (http://goo.gl/PmvRlk).<http://www.wennergren.org/grantees/sanger-matthew-clair> I've spoken about the possibility of anarchism informing collaborative archaeology for a number of years, starting with my paper at the 2009 RATS conference at Binghamton (https://vimeo.com/8081430) and more recently on the popular Anarchaeologist podcast (http://goo.gl/shBeQt).


The conference demonstrated a number of important intersections between anarchism as a living political philosophy and topics increasingly central to historical archaeology. As such, I'd like to propose a session exploring these themes at the 2017 SHA Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. I'm interested gathering a small group of interested folks. I'm also happy if someone else would like to work with me on organizing the session (e.g., (co-)Chair, organizer, discussant). I have some folks in mind for a discussant, but it's too early to say for sure. My own paper in this session will investigate the use of anarchist theory to interpret the political organization and everyday lives of maroon communities.


If you are interested in participating, please contact me asap with a working title and abstract, and no later than June 15 to facilitate finalization of the session. Abstract follows.



Anarchism and Historical Archaeology


A central element of anarchist thought is the critique of hierarchy in human society. Other topics of interest include the development of horizontal power structures, decentralization, free association, and various approaches to consensus building. Of course, one does not have to identify as an anarchist to draw upon the diversity of perspectives coexisting within the umbrella of anarchism. This session seeks to understand the ways anarchist theory can inform historical archaeology, and, if possible, the ways historical archaeology may contribute to anarchism. Although anarchist ideas have existed for millennia (e.g., Daosim), it's emergence as a political philosophy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries suggests that historical archaeologists have an important role to play in articulating the intersections between anarchy and archaeology. This session seeks to foster a dialogue regarding these intersections. We will also begin charting future directions regarding the incorporation of anarchism as a living theory within historical archaeology.


Potential topics include:

* Intersections between anarchist thinking and current HA perspectives; for instance, shifting focus from exploitation to domination.

* Anarchist material culture studies, including the production of political materials, online media, and so forth.

* Applicability of anarchism to the practice of historical archaeology (e.g., field schools, community engagement).

* Contemporary archaeology of anarchist activities.

* How a sincere engagement with anarchism produces new interpretations of historic groups.

* Anything else connecting anarchism to the archaeological study of the recent and contemporary past.


If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Edward Gonzalez-Tennant ([log in to unmask]) with a working title and abstract no later than June 15, 2016.



 As usual, please forward this call for papers to anyone who might be interested in participating.

Sincerely,

Ed Gonzalez-Tennant

Edward González-Tennant, PhD
VP for Emerging Technologies, ICOMOS-ICIP
Courtesy Faculty, University of Florida Anthropology
PO Box 13336 Gainesville, FL 32604<tel:352-363-8884> | www.gonzaleztennant.net<http://www.gonzaleztennant.net>