SCIENCE AND ARCHAEOLOGY SYMPOSIUM IN URBANA

The Program on Ancient Technologies and Archaeological Materials (ATAM), a division of the Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program (ITARP), will host a regional, one-day conference on archaeological science Friday, November 7, 2008, at the Levis Faculty Center on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, IL.

In its broadest sense, archaeological science, or archaeometry, is the interface between archaeology and the natural and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary field encompasses both the study of early technologies (flint knapping, ceramics, metal-working, weaving, basketry, etc.) and analyses of archaeological materials using modern instrumental techniques. Early archaeometric research was dominated by dating, structural, compositional, and provenance studies of primarily inorganic materials (e.g. stone, ceramics, and metals). As the field has grown, new applications in biochemistry, soil science, medicine, geophysical prospection, and computer imaging have attracted a host of new specialists in areas such as the reconstruction of early environments and diets by analyzing bones and teeth, tracing the migration of peoples via ancient DNA, textile analysis, site mapping, and digital enhancement of ancient writing.

Format: Short, fifteen-minute papers will be presented, and attendees will be invited to bring posters on their archaeometric research from the past three years to display in the conference room.

Costs: No registration fee. The ATAM program and ITARP will provide projection equipment, poster boards, and coffee and snacks.

Lodging and food: A list of hotels and eateries close to campus will be provided to out-of-town attendees.

Abstracts: Please send a short, 100-200 word abstract for your 15-minute oral presentation to wisarc AT uiuc.edu by September 15, 2008.

For more information: Contact Sarah Wisseman, Director, ATAM Program at the University of Illinois: 217-333-6629 or wisarc AT uiuc.edu