Dear all

Just a quick plug for the conference session below at the Theoretical
Archaeology Group meeting in December. We are looking for people to discuss
epistemological issues in pioneering phases all areas of archaeology, but
ESPECIALLY archaeobotany/archaeological science/environmental
archaeology/however you want to label our studies. I suspect there are many
interesting things to say here about the history and problems of operating
in a space between several philosophical traditions and encourage anyone
with an interest to contact me about participating. Environmental
archaeology disciplines are not usually well represented at TAG - for good
reasons it has to be said - but here is a great opportunity not only to
take part but to visit Exeter in the middle of winter! How can you refuse??

Andy

CONFERENCE SESSION: Theoretical Archaeology Group session, University of
Exeter, UK 15th-17th Dec 2006

X-marks the spot: the epistemologies of pioneering archaeology
Andrew Fairbairn (University of Queensland) & Paul Rainbird (University of
Wales, Lampeter) (<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask],
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask])

By definition pioneering archaeology is a phenomenon of all archaeological
traditions of the world. In Australasia in the present day it is
characterised by deep though small area excavations and a key desire to
date earliest settlement. However, this is not likely to characterise all
pioneer periods in archaeology where epistemological priorities and
methodological variations will likely contribute to creating a different
sense of the pioneer period. In this session we are looking for papers to
critically consider pioneering archaeology in historical and contemporary
circumstances and, possibly, how such a disciplinary phase in any one
region may be perceived of as coming to an end. Papers in this session may
consider contemporary approaches in pioneering archaeology which may
include regional case studies, comparative studies or consider pioneering
methodologies, which are potentially transformative from an epistemological
perspective or perhaps new pioneering phases in disciplinary or
sub-disciplinary traditions or developments. Other papers may consider
potential insights from historical circumstances, the epistemological bases
for antiquarianism for example, or the relationship with other disciplines
such as that of the archaeology as 'the handmaiden of history' point of
view or folkloric and/or oral historical ties to pursuing the past. Papers
in this session will not simply be descriptions of historical circumstances
but will be expected to theorise the relationship between pioneering phases
and the expectations of archaeologists; that is, we might ask whether the
'X' that marks the spot in the pioneering phase of a disciplinary tradition
changes during a subsequent phase?

Info: http://www.sogaer.ex.ac.uk/archaeology/tag/index.shtml



Dr Andrew Fairbairn
Lecturer in Archaeology,
School of Social Sciences,
Michie Building,
The University of Queensland,
QLD 4072,
Australia

Tel: +61 (0)7 3365 2780
Fax: +61 (0)7 3365 1544
http://www.ansoc.uq.edu.au/

Associate Editor
Vegetation History & Archaeobotany:
http://www.springer.com/west/home?SGWID=4-102-70-1103691-detailsPage=journal|description|description

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