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Dear colleagues and friends,

I would like to inform you that abstract submissions for the session “Ancient human diets in context” (session code 1-3) will close on the 15th of January.

The session will be held during the International Open Workshop: Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 12,000 Years: The Creation of Landscapes IV in Kiel (Germany) from 24 to 27 March 2015.

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Margaret J. Schoeninger (University of California at San Diego, USA)
Talk title: “Divergent human diets across different New World socioenvironmental systems”

Prof. Mike Richards (University of British Columbia, Canada & Max Planck Institute Leipzig, Germany)
Talk title: “Isotope analysis and diet reconstruction in archaeology; a review of the main achievements, current challenges and a look to the future”

Special issue: a special issue devoted to the session topic is being planned.

Session description

Food represents a basic human need and a variety of aspects impact on human dietary choices. In particular, the environmental context plays an important role in determining adaptive strategies to access food resources. A classic example of this is the development of farming following the climatic changes at the onset of the Holocene. However, cultural, social, technological and economic aspects may also regulate dietary options by imposing/restricting access to particular food groups. For instance, historical and archaeological research has shown the existence of relationships between diet and forms of social differentiation. In addition, diachronic studies have revealed shifts in diet associated with cultural and technological innovations. The goal of this session is to place past human dietary habits within the context defined by environmental, cultural, and social aspects and to evaluate the inter-relationship between these aspects and adopted subsistence strategies.

Research contributions investigating ancient human diets that rely on data obtained using different scientific techniques will be considered. These include: isotope studies, historical research, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical studies, physical anthropology, pottery residue analysis, etc. Of particular interest are contributions having a multidisciplinary perspective.

The session will provide a platform for an interdisciplinary dialogue to propose a context-based approach to ancient human diet studies. Such an approach should consider three main aspects: 1) relevant archaeological and historical questions that can be addressed through human diet studies; 2) appropriate selection and use of scientific methods; 3) interpretative frameworks. Contributions that address any of the previously listed points are welcomed. This includes general reviews or single case studies without geographical or temporal restrictions, best practices and developments in scientific methods, and proposals of theoretical models to interpret collected data.

Travel grants: Two travel grants of up to 200€ will be available for outstanding submissions by doctoral or master students. Grant applications should be submitted to Ricardo Fernandes ([log in to unmask]).

Further information, including submission details, can be found on the meeting’s website:
http://www.workshop-gshdl.uni-kiel.de


Best wishes,

Ricardo Fernandes