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Dear Colleagues,

A session entitled "New Perspectives on Taphonomy " is proposed for the upcoming ICAZ conference (Paris, August 23-28, 2010). Details of the session are included below, organized in three distinct sub-sessions: ‘Taphonomy and diagenesis’, ‘Modifications by non-human biological agents’ and ‘Hominids and other predators’.

We would be pleased if you might consider to submit a paper (or poster) proposal for the session.

Proposals as all information about the meeting must be made online through the ICAZ 2010 website before November 20th, 2009, at this address:

http://www.alexandriaarchive.org/icaz/ICAZ2010/00-1st%20page/1st%20page.htm

The circular gives information about the general aims, the 31 sessions and the schedule of the conference, the excursions, the registration fees and the possibility to ask financial help to the organizers.

Should you have any questions about the session or the submission process, please feel free to contact either of us (see E-mail addresses below).

Thank you too, to inform those of your colleagues or young scientists out of Internet reach, and forward this announcement as widely as possible.

Sincerely,



ICAZ 2010: New Perspectives on Taphonomy

Co-ordinators:
Ana Belén Marín Arroyo1

Richard Madgwick2

Christiane Denys3

1 Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies. University of Cambridge, CB2 1QH Cambridge, U.K ([log in to unmask])

2 Cardiff School of History and Archaeology ([log in to unmask])

3 Small mammal Systématics and Evolution MNHN. Dept. Systématics & Evolution UMR5202CNRS -CP51. 55 rue Buffon 75005 Paris cedex 05, FRANCE ([log in to unmask])

In the last decades, the field of Taphonomy has significantly enlarged its methods and applications, especially in zooarchaeology and paleoenvironmental studies, as well as associated items (organic or cultural artifacts).The identification of taphonomic processes which affect bone assemblages provides an interesting insight into the formation of archaeological deposits. In particular, it plays an important role in revealing the use of sites through time, not only by human groups but also by a wide variety of animals. It becomes a critical point for all studies on natural or cultural micro- to macro-faunal accumulations, all around the world and for all periods, prehistorical to historical. Such wide application spectrum warrants a full ’colloquium’ into the frame of ICAZ, and can bring important comparative issues when considered and discussed with a diachronic base.

We would like to gather together most people interested in this approach in order to precise a taphodiversity and/or taphofacies in relation with different site categories, both in term of paleontological and archaeological sites, and various site functions/settlements (as residential camp, seasonal site, kill-site, village and special structure, etc.) replaced in well defined geological/sedimentary context. One of the goals of such approach is to provide detailed referentials, both from modern experimental studies and from the fossil record, and to tackle various issues through integrative analysis between geological, biological and cultural fields.

Three half-day sessions focused on three key themes are proposed:

1)   Taphonomy and Diagenesis

Chair: Rob Symmons.  The Sussex Archaeological Society ([log in to unmask])

The session aims to encompass post-depositional aspects and preservation biases on all classes of animal remains. Themes may include, but are not restricted to:

•       Structural properties of tissues – the inherent susceptibilities of different classes of remains to taphonomic alteration

•       Histological preservation – microscopic and chemical effects of taphonomic processes

•       Fire/cooking/boiling – effects on faunal material

•       Chemical analysis – the potential affects of taphonomic alteration on isotopic and DNA analysis

2)  Modifications by non-human biological agents

Chair: Marta Moreno-García.   IH, CCSH, Spanish Council for Scientific Research, Spain ([log in to unmask])

In this session we propose to explore the state of current knowledge regarding taphonomic modifications caused by other biological agents than carnivores. We would like to discuss if the taphonomical signatures of nocturnal and diurnal raptors are different, how birds digest prey ranging from small rodents to large artiodactyls and if different species leave traces distinguishable in the archaeological record. Also, what is the role played by rodents in bone accumulations? How much damage can fungi and invertebrates such as beetles or termites cause? Can we recognise these lesser-known agents? What is their influence on skeletal part representation?

3)   Hominids and other Predators

Chair: J.Ph.Brugal, resp. French network group of Taphonomy (RTP Taphonomie, CNRS-EDD), UMR 6636 CNRS- Aix en Provence, France & UNIARQ, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal ([log in to unmask])

The session will include topics on all kind of bone modifications and faunal accumulations produced by humans and large carnivores in the context of predation, possibly expressed as competitors for small to large-sized animal resources. Modern and fossil examples, from archaeological or paleontological sites, would be accepted and even confronted, both being replaced in an ecosystemic frame. Papers dealing with different setting/activities as hunting, scavenging or farming are also welcome.