Theme:
The archaeology of material culture, bodies and landscapes
Session format:
Session, made up of a combination of papers, max. 15 minutes each
Title:
Repressed bodies as a research theme: archaeology, memory and political uses
Content:
Searching, studying and treating repressed bodies of contemporary conflicts have conformed an important part of the archaeological agenda in recent years. Amongst forensic disciplines, archaeology has gained growing social recognition and played a relevant role as a procedure and research methodology, but also a tool towards the defense and vindication of Human Rights. Scientific procedures and the specific nature of materiality have surrounded the intervention of archaeology with a hint of objectivity which has led to favour its forensic interest over historical interpretation.
Repression on bodies performed in diverse historical situations have conformed specific particularities and problematics to distinct archaeological contexts. Repression executed over bodies affects the ways of studying the archaeological record, but also the discourses, the social processes for dealing with trauma and the action of memorial and political agents.
The role of archaeology in searching and exhumating repressed bodies has raised many questions. In a context where the International Law has been partially imposed, some states consider exhumations as historical facts, while others consider them as crimes against humanity on the condition of the moment of the assassination. Which role has archaeology played, plays or should play? Is archaeology forced to make final decisions in light of insufficient laws? How can one be objective but not impartial?
The present session encourages thoughtful and analytical presentations on the mentioned theme to assess it globally from various geographical and chronological contexts.
Keywords:
repressed bodies, exhumations, HumanRigths, disappeared
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Main organiser:
Queralt Solé Barjau (Spain) 1
Co-organisers:
Carlos Marín (Uruguay) 2
Laia Gallego Vila (Spain) 1
Lourdes Herrasti (Spain) 3
Affiliations:
1. Universitat de Barcelona
2. Universidad de la República (Uruguay),
3. Universidad del País Vasco
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