Sessions
Papers: Notes for presenters
Posters:
Notes for presenters
Sessions
Proposals for papers and posters
are invited for the following sessions:
Archaeology
of Art: Networks and Narratives
The First Colonisation of Australia in Narratives
of Human Evolution
Networks
and Narratives in Australian Indigenous Archaeology
Artefacts, Agency and Narrative: The Social
Lives of Objects in Archaeology and History
Learning Archaeology
Astride the Wallace Line: The Archaeology of
Flores and Sunda
Proposal guidelines
Archaeology
of Art: Networks and Narratives
Session organiser:
June Ross
Abstract
Many recent studies
of art have considered art as a form of communication; a medium
that people have used to mediate behaviour, transfer information,
flag identity or cement relations. In this way art can be seen
to forge a variety of networks and narratives. We invite you
to present
papers in this session, which address or challenge issues developed
from such thinking.
The
First Colonisation of Australia in Narratives of Human Evolution
Session organiser: Iain
Davidson
Abstract
The first colonisation of Australia
at some time between 40ka and 60ka is seen by many authors as a
landmark event in the evolution of human behaviour. The first inhabitants
were fully modern people, they made relatively long sea-crossings
and among the earliest artefacts are indications of the use of ochre.
Fully modern people appear later in Europe, archaeological evidence
for such early sea-crossings of any sort are rare in other parts
of the world, and ochre use is most abundant in Africa, but may
be part of a broader change in the importance of symbols.
Papers are invited that assess the significance of the earliest
colonisation of Australia by comparison with the narrative of human
colonisation of other parts of the world. What is the evidence for
early sea-crossings, and what does it imply? What is the pattern
of appearance of early modern skeletal form, and what is its relationship
with modern human behaviour? What is the evidence inside and outside
Australia for the production of artefacts that imply symbolism?
How should we consider the significance of the colonisation of a
continent by a small group of people who did not return to their
homeland?
Networks and Narratives in Australian Indigenous Archaeology
Session
organisers: Wendy
Beck (until July), Jane
Balme and Catherine
Clarke
Abstract
This session investigates approaches to constructing interpretations
in archaeology and how the concept of narrative can best be deployed
in developing and analysing these interpretations. Archaeological
interpretation can be viewed as having two approaches that resonate
with the conference theme. A 'top-down' view, starting with an overall
theory, can be seen as a network approach whereby the connections
between elements -- sites, people, ecological zones or material
culture –- are interpreted as part of a web, with ever-expanding
links to further elements. The focus in this kind of work is often
on understanding and making sense of the regional and continental
scale of patterning and connection. A ‘bottom-up’ approach
can be characterised as more localized interpretive accounts of
place and time. Here the focus is on the interpretation of the small-scale
links between archaeological elements, the diversity of links between
elements in the same story and on defining comparative scale. Both
approaches raise questions about the reliable use of evidence.
In this session we invite papers on the interpretation or telling
of archaeology from either a top-down or bottom-up approach, and
of how these are expressed as narratives for a range of audiences.
We are interested in papers on all time periods represented by
Indigenous
archaeology.
Artefacts, Agency and Narrative: The Social
Lives of Objects in Archaeology and Heritage
Session
organisers: Rodney Harrison and Andrew
Piper
Abstract
The purpose of this session is to highlight
the potential of a cross-disciplinary methodology to the analysis
of artefacts;
approaches which cite recent re-theorising of the relationships
between objects and humans, through the application of ‘agency-centred’ archaeological
analysis (eg. Dobres 2000; Dobres and Robb 2000); ‘narrative’ approaches
to the archaeological record; and the application of Annaliste
historiography to archaeology and heritage. This session seeks
speakers who look for the synergies that come from such an approach,
and in particular those who treat artefacts as text and text
as artefact. The papers in the session will examine the now widely
cited notion that objects have ‘social lives’ (Appadurai
1996) and hence social biographies (Kopytoff 1996; Gell 1998)
or even life
narratives (Holtorf 2002), and implications for the analysis of
artefacts in archaeology and cultural heritage management. Some
topics for discussion which will emerge from the session include:
- the politics of value/objects
and symbolic capital
- the social
aspects of artefact production and consumption
- embodied approaches
(being and dwelling) to technological production, including
the analysis of gestures and
strategies
- approaches which
examine the ‘agency’ of
artefacts, including ‘cultural biographies’ of
objects and narrative approaches to artefact analysis
- cross-cultural
approaches to the study of artefacts
- the relationship
between artefacts and prestige/commemoration
- collecting and colonialism
- the value of objects
in heritage discourses
- the relationship
between artefacts and both individual and social memory
- technology and the
habitus.
One of the most effective ways people and communities acquire
knowledge of their personal, community and wider heritage is
through narratives.
Artefacts are useful touchstones for telling the stories that
construct our heritage. Creating synergies between artefacts
and people,
in order to give meaning to the past, be it at the local, regional
or national level, gives heritage narratives vitality and meaning.
Archaeologists are particularly well placed to make connections
between artefacts and people, in order to give meaning to the
stories of the past. Those researchers with a cross-disciplinary
background
further strengthen these narratives. Archaeology, when applied
in conjunction with other disciplines, especially history, offers
a powerful medium in which the artefact can illuminate heritage
through narrative.
Learning
Archaeology
Session
organisers: Sarah
Colley, Martin Gibbs and Wendy Beck (until July)
Abstract
How do we learn archaeology?
What can we learn from archaeology? What are some links between
learning, teaching, research, and professional
practice? In this session learning is defined not only as formalised
teaching in the class or field, but learning through practice,
learning
for ourselves, and learning (and teaching) through communicating
our results and knowledge to others.
In keeping with the conference theme, papers which examine the role
of networks or narratives in archaeological learning are especially
welcome, as are those which discuss university teaching and learning.
Papers should also aim to place learning and teaching within some
theoretical framework, and/or include analysis and discussion of
data/evidence relevant to issues of general interest or concern
to Australian archaeology.
Astride
the Wallace Line: The Archaeology of Flores and Sunda
Session
organiser: Mike Morwood Abstract
This session will focus on
archaeology, palaeontology and palaeo-environmental studies
in island S.E. Asia especially on Java, Flores, Timor and
Sulawesi. The papers will describe new approaches to research in
the region, recent discoveries and the implications of new dating
techniques for long standing problems.
Understanding the complexity
of human dispersal, evolution and culture change in the region requires
strategic, inter-disciplinary, integrated and networked research
strategies. This session is an opportunity to take stock on major
issues, progress achieved, and future directions. It will be both
social and interactive.
Proposal
guidelines
Please submit a 200 word abstract
for your proposed paper or poster directly to the session organiser/s
by e-mail.
- All paper presentations
will be 15 minutes in length, with 5 minutes allocated for
questions or discussion.
- Submission of a proposal implies
that at least one author will register for the conference
and be present at the time designated in the conference program.
- Proposals must be received
by: 26 July (papers) or 31 October (posters).
- Each proposal submitted
must include a separate title page, detailing:
- title
of the submission
- type
of proposal (ie, paper or poster)
- session for
which submitted
- name(s) of the author(s)
- mailing address(es)
- email address(es)
- phone number(s)
- fax number(s)
- corresponding
author if different than lead author
Receipt will be acknowledged
and successful presenters notified by e-mail.
Papers:
Notes for presenters
Technical facilities and presentation options
A computer and data projector are available in the conference
venue. Presenters will not be permitted to use their own computers
for
presentations.
Internet access
Please contact us immediately at: aaa2004@une.edu.au if you
wish to use an Internet connection during your presentation.
OHTP slides
A standard overhead projector (OHTP) is available.
PowerPoint slide show
Produce your presentation as a PowerPoint
slide show in a recent version of the software (2000/2001
onwards). This makes
a difference
to file size and hence display efficiency. Bring your
presentation on either a CD or a USB thumb drive or memory stick
to Registration
on 12 December or send it on a CD before the conference
so that we can load it onto the computer. All presentations
will be loaded
onto the theatre computer before the session.
Reading or speaking
A
lectern with microphone is available.
Video/audio cassettes
Facilities
are available if you wish to use these media. Please discuss your
requirements with your session organiser at least
one day before your session.
Posters: Notes for presenters
The poster session is scheduled for
the evening of Monday 13 December from 7.45 – 9.00 pm. We
have extended the period for the acceptance of abstracts until the
31st October. Some space will be reserved for Honours students’ posters
brought to the conference even though they did not submit an abstract
to the organisers.
The subject of the poster does not need
to relate to the session topics. Posters may either relate
directly to a session topic or to any
aspect of archaeological research.
Format
and layout
1. Posters may be produced in either
landscape or portrait format.
2. Posters must be no larger than or AO size (1189x841mm). We prefer
A1 size (841 x 594mm) or smaller.
3. Include in your abstract of no more
than 200 words:
- poster title
- name and affiliation
of all authors/presenters
- email contact address for the principal
presenter.
Submitting your poster Deliver your poster to
the AAA 2004 Registration Desk in the Lazenby Annexe by 10.15
am Monday 13 December.
Further
information and proposals
Send your abstract to or seek further
information from the poster session coordinators:
June Ross
Email: jross4@pobox.une.edu.au or phone 02 6773 2800
Maria Cotter
Email: mcotter@pobox.une.edu.au or phone 02 6773 2012
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