Thanks Cornelius
TAC said this about the film:
'Friends and colleagues: Who said archaeologists have to dig in the dirt? The truth is that archaeology has a much wider range of applications, even in the exploration of contemporary society. A truly novel and fascinating new approach drives into our cyber-world as In Transit, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel ( http://www.archaeologychannel.org). We are pleased to announce also that this is the 100th feature in our growing list of TAC video programs!
In 2006, University of Bristol archaeologists launched an innovative project: "excavating" a 1991 Ford transit van, used by archaeologists and others. This is an exercise in methodology: to see what can be learnt about a commonplace but complex object through modern archaeological analysis. It explores archaeology's potential contribution to understanding society's use of such objects and examines the very nature of contemporary archaeology. See in this video how, amid science and method, a rusting transit van can conjure up both enchantment and melancholy.'
The film was a documentation of the process of excavation, and the dialogue/debate that accompanied it. Like any excavation, the site work was followed by post excavation analyses involving forensic scientists and finds specialists. This work is ongoing with two specific results in mind: one is an MA dissertation on the small finds by Adrian Myers at Bristol University; and the other a full excavation report for a leading journal, to be submitted for publication in July/August this year. I'd rather not reveal the results at this stage, but can assure readers that I will notify list members when this publication appears. I hope that's sufficient for now!
All best wishes,
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cornelius Holtorf
Sent: 29 May 2007 19:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CHA] In Transit
Hello John and all
just been watching it and I was actually very impressed by the beautiful way in which this was filmed and narrated. Normally I get bored by films on Archaeology Channel after about 15 seconds, but not this time! A brilliant summary of a project that raised all sorts of questions.
Only one question remains. So what was found (out)?
Will there be another film about the results of the project, or was this supposed to be the full story?
(I know that I have been arguing myself that archaeology is mostly about a process and not about any specific results. But a necessary part of the archaeological process is nevertheless some kind of discovery/truth/ revelation/preserved object...).
Cornelius
-----
Cornelius Holtorf
* from January 2008: Högskolan i Kalmar *
Institutionen för arkeologi och antikens historia, Lunds universitet
http://web.comhem.se/cornelius
----- Original Message -----
From: "SCHOFIELD, John" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:08 am
Subject: In Transit
> Dear all
>
>
>
> Some of you may be interested to know that In Transit is now streaming
> online on the Archaeology Channel website:
>
> http://www.archaeologychannel.org/
>
> http://www.archaeologychannel.org/content/video/intransit_700kW.html
>
>
>
> Do pass this on to anyone you think might be interested, and esp any
> other email groups you are members of.
>
>
>
> With thanks.
>
>
>
> John
>
>
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for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
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