Durham University Archaeology Society presents its first one day interdisciplinary conference to be held at Durham University involving the Archaeology, Anthropology, Philosophy and Law departments from Durham and Newcastle University and selected guest speakers. This year’s theme ‘Whose Past? An Interdisciplinary debate on the repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains’ aims to generate a stimulating debate about the ownership and ethical principles associated with two types of archaeological material; artefacts and human remains, with the focus on the repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains. The Conference will take place on Saturday April 28th 2012, in Lecture room D110, at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Dawson Building, Durham University Science Site. The day will be divided into two sessions themed Artefacts then Human Remains. Each session will follow the same format- where a debate question is set and the two guest speakers argue one in proposition and the other in opposition. Each session will contain a mixture of archaeologists, anthropologists, philosophers and lawyers, who will provide their viewpoint, and then finally there is an open discussion for attendees to debate the theme and issues raised within the session. At the end of the day, a conference conclusion debate will be held where conclusions will be drawn relating to the key themes and questions. The debate question for the Artefacts session is ‘Western museums should take a sympathetic view to requests for the repatriation of cultural artefacts’. Speakers for this session which will be chaired by Professor Robin Coningham; include Professor Piotr Bienkowski, Dr Tiffany Jenkins, Dr Robin Skeates, Professor Robert Layton, Dr Andreas Pantazatos and Professor Tom Allen. The debate question for the Human remains session is ‘The recent legislative changes relating to human remains are a threat to academic research’. This session will be chaired by Professor Geoffrey Scarre, with speakers: Dr Duncan Sayer, a paper by Emma Restall Orr-presented by Lauren Moreau, Professor Charlotte Roberts,Dr Ian Kidd, Dr Myra Giesen and Dr Liz White. To download an information pack containing the conference details please visit www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology/conferences/current/archsoc2012.
Please register in advance to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited. For more information, please contact Jamie Davies (Vice President, Durham University Archaeology Society) at j.g.davies@durham.ac.uk.
On Saturday April 28th we will hold a day conference, this time on neutral territory in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Members of the Forum requested a meeting where we might reflect on how we got to where we are now, and we would welcome your contributions: see below. On Sunday April 29th we would also like to invite members on a second field excursion, a shorter, simpler one day excursion this time. We hope many of you will stay in Berwick with us, or return on the Sunday, or rendezvous at the start of the day. Please see below for details of how to sign up.
DAY CONFERENCE: SATURDAY APRIL 28th 2012. Location: The Guild Hall, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Title: Is the past the key to the present? Puzzling through paradigms of prehistory in the Tyne-Forth Region Our present understanding of prehistory in our region is influenced almost entirely by the ideas of those who have gone before us: "on the shoulders of giants". But how did earlier workers get their ideas and interpretations? How much was objective reasoning, how much from 'leaps into the dark', how much was contemporary fashion, embedded within the current intellectual 'climate'. It is a good thing to tease apart the different strands in the 'knot' and in turn clarify where we stand. This is the intention in this conference, to reflect on the history of doing archaeology in our region. We invite contributions of c. 20 minutes duration, or shorter, on this broad topic. Contributions can be diverse in purpose or form. In addition to analyses tracing the evolution (punctuated or gradual?) of ideas, shorter contributions might explore the ways in which ocal societies were inspired and came together, the sparks that lit an abiding affection for archaeology, and reminiscences of teachers and excavations and those hazy days of yore. We would hope to arrange one of our much-vaunted soireés post-conference, and a convivial evening repast somewhere nice in Berwick. Please join us. Please send your suggestions for contributions, with a working title and short abstract, to r.j.crellin@newcastle.ac.uk. As ever the event is free to attend, lunch and refreshments will be provided and there are travel bursaries available. To book a place to attend the event please email r.j.crellin@newcastle.ac.uk.
DAY EXCURSION: SUNDAY APRIL 29th 2012 Location: The North Eastern Cheviots We can't go east from Berwick, so our eyes will undoubtedly turn to the hills which have fostered so many of our ideas, and which make our archaeology so special in a UK context. We plan to leave Berwick in mini-buses at 9.00am on the Sunday, and also arrange a rendezvous where members can meet us: details to follow. Then, as last summer, we'll make full use of our day, this time focusing not on how to identify field remains but on how we use these to develop our understanding of prehistoric societies and communities. Members will need to bring lunches. Depending on numbers, we might drive the mini-buses back to Edinburgh and Newcastle, taking you almost to your door. The success of the day depends, of course, on you, so please complete the form that Rachel has prepared, and return asap to r.j.crellin@newcastle.ac.uk.
Looking forward to seeing you in Berwick! Many thanks Chris Fowler, Richard Tipping and Rachel Crellin
Six human skeletons thought to be the remains of Roman Gladiators go on display at a new visitor attraction in the Centre of Durham. The Gladiators: A Cemetery of Secrets exhibition is the result of a joint venture between York Archaeological Trust and Durham County Council. The exhibition occupies the former Visitor Information Centre at Millennium Place and will run until March 31st 2012. The skeletons, which were the subject of a Channel 4 documentary aired last year, were first uncovered by York Archaeological Trust archaeologists at Driffield Terrace in York during an excavation that ran between 2004 and 2005. 80 burials were excavated at the site, of which 60 were mostly complete skeletons. Almost all were male and the majority were adults. An expert from Durham University has played a key role in the latest research into the origins of the Driffield Terrace skeletons. Teaching fellow in the Department of Archaeology, Dr Anwen Caffell, worked with Malin Holst of York Osteoarchaeology Ltd to review some of the injuries, illnesses and ages of selected skeletons. Their work has helped prove some existing theories, but has also introduced further debate about the evidence. Says Kurt Hunter-Mann, field officer at York Archaeological Trust who led the original excavation, “The skeletons have been the centre of much global interest over the last year and have been the subject of ongoing debate as to how they came to be lying decapitated in the large cemetery site. “Opinion still remains divided. Unusual marks on the skeletons, including possible bite marks from large carnivorous animals, fuel the debate that the skeletons could be the remains of gladiators, who lived and fought in York during the Roman occupation. The exhibition shows all of the evidence, and should help reignite the ‘Were they gladiators?’ debate, as well as inviting visitors to have their say.” Says Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, “The council is really pleased to be supporting this exciting exhibition and at the heart of the World Heritage Site. “I sincerely hope that this will be the first of many opportunities for us to work in partnership with York Archaeological Trust and to bring residents and visitors here the chance to come face to face with history in this way.” The skeletons will be on display at 1 Millennium Place from Saturday 3 December until 31st March 2012. General admission charges apply, with free unlimited admissions with entry tickets.
Visit http://www.cemeteryofsecrets.com or call 0191 3324041 for information.
Lectures are free for BAS members, £2 for visitors
6 Feb 2012 Chris Burgess ‘The Excavations at Flodden’
5 March 2012 Jeremy Paterson [subject tbc]
2 April 2012 AGM and ‘members night around the table’
14 May 2012 Liz Young MA ‘In the shadow of Flodden Hill. A Mesolithic Presence’
4 June 2012 Gerard Twomey ‘Excavations at Bamburgh’
3 September 2012 Dr Christopher Bowles ‘Partnership Working and Revitalising our Heritage in the Scottish Borders’
1 October 2012 Prof. Roger Mercer ‘Aspects of the archaeological appreciation of the Bowmont Valley, Roxburghshire’
5 November 2012 Dr Clare Wilson ‘Reading the soil record: the role of Geo-Archaeology in excavation and post-excavation analysis’
3 December 2012 Dr Andrea Dolfini ‘The Origins of Metallurgy in Europe: New insights from Italy’
4 February 2013 Prof. Ian Haynes and Tony Wilmott ‘Altars in Cumbria’
4 March 2013 The Durham Western Isles Team ‘Hunter-gatherers on the edge; the earliest humans in the Western Isles of Scotland’
1 April 2013 AGM and Dr Nyree Finlay, Director of Scottish Mesolithic Geophysical Survey Project
Held at 7.30pm at Parish Centre, Berwick upon Tweed, opposite Berwick Barracks and adjacent to Parish Church main door
We are looking for volunteers to help us monitor and conserve our Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Together we can safeguard our heritage. For full details please view the summary below.
A full list of seminars along with abstracts can be found by viewing the Seminar Programme below.
Together we can safeguard our heritage. For full details please view the summary below.A full list of seminars along with abstracts can be found by viewing the Seminar Programme below.
Together we can safeguard our heritage. For full details please view the summary below.All seminars begin at 5.30pm unless noted as otherwise.
31st January: Lacey Wallace (Cambridge) Diverse Communities in Early Roman London [Postgraduate Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Armstrong Building]
21st February: Andrew Gardener (UCL) Caerleon, the Priory Field excavations [Postgraduate Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Armstrong Building]
6th March: Simon James (Leicester) Soldiers on the streets: the city of Dura-Europos versus its Roman garrison? [Postgraduate Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Armstrong Building]
24th April: Thea Ravasi (Newcastle) Hadrian's Villa. Water, sculpture and architecture. [Postgraduate Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Armstrong Building]
1st May: Mike Bishop Legionary fortresses, neogeography, and the perplexed exercitologist [Postgraduate Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Armstrong Building]
New ‘Strong Place’ permanent gallery at Segedunum, exploring the changing landscape of Segedunum throughout history.
New revamped galleries and gateway displays at Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields.‘A Deadly Game’ 16 April to 11 September 2011 at Segedunum.
A new exhibition of images of Charles I from the National Portrait Gallery.‘Siege and Storm: Civil War in Newcastle’ display at Discovery Museum, Newcastle Until 30 October 2011
Held at 7.30pm in Parish Centre, Berwick Upon Tweed, opposite Berwick Barracks. Members free, visitors £2
November 7th 2011 The fascination of Northumberland's past by Stan Beckensall
December 5th 2011 Something local - possibly interesting by Roger Miket
February 6th 2012 A bog excavation in north Northumberland by Kristian Pedersen
Cross-Border Archaeological Project (Town Yetholm) Forthcoming workshop on surveying with a theodolite Surveying and recording St Ethelreda's chapel. All welcome - contact BAS
at 01289 306760 or email basconnect@aol.com for further information.Kristian Pedersen is looking for volunteers for excavation and fieldwalking at weekends. A Bronze or Iron Age promontory fort at Chesterfield Farm. Contact Kristian Pedersen on 01289 307869 or visit www.paxtonbeforethehouse.wordpress.com.
See Announcements for more events in the region.
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