Session: #499

Discussion session: session with papers of six minutes and six slides

Scholars see evidence for specialist skills in a broad array of prehistoric artefacts from around the world. Such identifications rest on the assumption that the dominant material from which an object is made defines the skills the artisan needs. Although this link between specialist, object and materials is widely accepted there is little site-based evidence for such full-time specialists. Recent discussions of prehistoric artisanal skillsets have highlighted both the breadth of skills required to make specific objects and the considerable overlap across seemingly different crafts. This session will explore the evidence for a redefinition of the specialist that does not depend primarily on the dominant material. Do specific sites or artefacts indicate the presence of cross-craft activities with people specialising in certain ways of making, for example the controlled use of heat or carving different substances? Can we identify the knowledge that transcends traditionally defined craft boundaries? Physical craft skills may be learnt through the manipulation of materials and tools, do these in turn have a role in shaping what a craftsperson does? Are specialists defined by the type of artefact produced rather than the materials or methods? The aim of this session is to test ideas, compare evidence and debate a revised approach to studying and discussing production activities in prehistoric contexts. Participants are asked to present short papers focussing on specific archaeological sites or artefact assemblages or practical craft experience that explores an alternative archaeology of making. The remaining time will be devoted to discussion.

craft, specialists, artefacts, materials, production

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Sophia Adams (United Kingdom) ¹

Dr Emily Miller Bonney (United States) ²