Session: #254

Content:

Transitional periods, often accompanying the migrations of people and/or cultures to an area, are times of significant socio-cultural change as evidenced in the archaeological record. These periods are particularly important to study, as they can provide context and understanding to the resulting assimilation, colonization, and ethnogenesis of populations. We aim to discuss how the migration of people during key transitional periods in the history of the Alpine region altered the social, economic, and political landscapes as evidenced by human and animal remains as well as material culture. We are interested in papers dealing with various transitional periods, for example, from the Mesolithic to Neolithic, Copper Age to Bronze Age, Bronze Age to Iron Age, Pre-Roman to Roman Period, and Late Roman to Early Medieval Period. Although there are multiple methodological approaches to answering questions related to migration and socio-economic change, this session will focus on the use of archaeological science, including biochemical analyses of human and faunal remains, i.e. stable isotopes, ancient DNA analysis, and provenience studies on material remains to discuss these transitional periods in the archaeological record.
We invite scholars to present papers with a geographic focus in and around the Alpine region, including Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Monaco who are studying (1) the impact of migration on social, economic, or political environments during key transitional periods, and (2) employing archaeological science methodologies.

Session: #254

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