Theme:
Theories and methods in archaeological sciences
Session format:
Discussion session: round table
Title:
Pan-disciplinary research and the future role for archaeology
Content:
This session is organized in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the journal Norwegian Archaeological Review (1968-2018). The journal has played a significant role in promoting new theoretical and methodological perspectives, and this is followed up here with a debate directed at the future for archaeology. The session will play upon the discussion format of the journal with two short formal introductions and a few invited discussants in addition to the open discussion.
Archaeology has a long and strong tradition for interdisciplinary research, with natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. But what are archaeology’s main contributions to the pan-disciplinary research environment?
Archaeology has produced end-results in the form of diachronic narratives of change and resilience, and details of major events, everyday life and individual life histories. It addresses the materiality of life, and the role of cultural heritage, and is increasingly concerned with past and present perception. Archaeology contributes to the critical evaluation of research as a situated practice, where both themes and approaches show great diversity.
In this round table discussion a key theme is the strengths deriving from archaeological perspectives. We will discuss the contributions these deliver both to current research themes such as the Anthropocone, climate change and migrations, and to more existential issues, such as the understanding of what constitutes the past, the interaction with nonhumans, and the fundamental presence of the material. An integral part of this discussion are reflections as to what constitutes archaeological practice and knowledge. What is archaeology?
The current research climate strongly encourages inter-disciplinary collaboration, with possible effect on the balance between disciplines. In such a setting the current and traditional disciplines and University faculties may be anachronic, presenting obstacles for the development of new knowledge and perspectives. Alternative compositions of academic Schools and research groups may stear us in new directions. How do we envision the organization of the knowledge and practices so far associated with the discipline of archaeology in future research and education?
The invited speakers and discussants spring from a variety of different institutions, represent different current perspectives, and will prepare the floor for an open and engaging discussion.
The two confirmed introductory speakers are:
Dr. Alfredo Gonzáles-Ruibal, Institute of Heritage Sciences (Incipit), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Prof. Rane Willerslev, Director of the National Museum, Denmark
Keywords:
Pan-disciplinary, theory, methods, archaeological strengths
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Main organiser:
Professor Charlotte Damm (Norway) 1
Co-organisers:
Professor Mats Burström (Sweden) 2
Affiliations:
1. Arctic University of Norway
2. University of Stockholm, Sweden
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