Recordings from archaeological conferences from around the world by the Archaeology Podcast Network.
Another interview with great insight into the archaeology sector in the UK. Towergate Insurance has been providing its services to archaeologists for over 20 years and they have gained a great understanding of archaeologists and the industry as a whole.
Links
APN host, Christopher Sims, went to the November meeting of the Oregon Archaeological Society in Portland, Oregon to hear Dr. Pat O'Grady (University of Oregon) speak on his research at Rimrock Draw.
The Rimrock Draw site in southeastern Oregon is changing what archaeologists know about the first people to live in Oregon. It presents some unique challenges and opportunities, and ongoing research has been made possible through public support from OAS.
Contact:
Christopher Sims (host)
email: christopher@godigahole.com
Twitter
Pat O'Grady, PhD (University of Oregon)
email: pogrady@uoregon.edu
Northern Great Basin Prehistory Project (U. Oregon field school)
OWENS, ANDREW (UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY) Aging Mandibular Bison Teeth with ArcGIS
This presentation presents a non-destructive, empirical and replicable method for aging bison teeth. Tooth eruption, growth, and attrition can document age-at-death, which informs on hunting strategies, occupation seasonality, environmental conditions, and herd health. Previous dentition studies utilize numerous tooth metrics that commonly require specimen-destructive research methods. Also, occlusal wear age estimates rely on subjective wear patterning classifications and figures. We suggest a new approach that provides age profiles by “mapping” occlusal wear with ESRi’s AcrGIS software. Planview mandibular tooth photos from the University of Wyoming’s known-age mandible sample, and well-documented prehistoric samples including the Agate Basin, Hawken, Horner, Glenrock, and Vore sites were captured and georeferenced. Next, GIS polygons were digitized for various occlusal surface features. Digitized GIS shape files were then used to generate various occlusal surface feature areas, and multiple statistical methods were employed that explore relationships between quantified occlusal surfaces and specimen ages.
TRACY, MEG (GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE) Modeling Human Locational Behavior in Montane Settings
Models were developed to predict spatial distribution of prehistoric archaeological site potential in the Sawtooth National Forest. Archaeological data and environmental parameters were collected and processed in a GIS. Predictor variables were evaluated to discover correlates with human locational behavior & compared against a control dataset. Three modeling methods were used: Logistic Regression, Regression Tree, and Random Forest. These models were assessed for efficacy using k-fold cross-validation and gain statistics. Although observed relationships could result from biases in archaeological data and predictors, results suggest a strong correlation between environment and prehistoric site location.
University of Western Ontario
Representations, replicas, and other “copies” of archaeological objects are increasingly used to document and preserve archaeological information and facilitate its sharing. As mediums of communication, both within and outside the archaeological realm, these “copies” form a locus for engagement and experience. Here, as part of our work with the Ikaahuk Archaeology Project on Banks Island, we explore the potential of artifact “copies” to link Inuvialuit community members in Sachs Harbour to ancestral archaeological 56 material now curated in distant repositories. Over the summer of 2015, Compton conducted interviews and focus groups in Sachs Harbour, Inuvik and Yellowknife with a diverse array of archaeological constituents including local Inuvialuit community members (elders, adults, and youth), museologists, curators, and archaeologists in order to examine how they experience, perceive, and value archaeological copies in relation to original archaeological material. A collection of artifacts, digital photographs, 3D models, 3D prints, and handmade replicas provided hands-on inspiration for this dialogue. Findings suggest that, in this case, framing the “copy” in opposition to, or as a devaluation of, the original may be an oversimplification of what is valuable about the various forms. While the majority of participants demonstrated a strong interest in emerging 3D technologies, there was a high diversity of opinion, both between and within communities, about the specific roles archaeological replicas should play.
A field and buildings archaeologist for the past 30 years he has worked in a variety of positions and locations from Scotland to Iraq and Germany to Turkmenistan. He works closely with metal detecting groups, the Portable Antiquities Scheme and other interested groups to ensure wider cooperation within the field of public and accessible archaeology. He is an advocated for training in practical skills for both professional archaeologists and volunteers in order to chart progress and open the professiona to a wide range of people. His recent success of the BAJR Archaeology skills passport is to be followed by the careers passport. Mr Connolly is co-editor of the volunteer journal Past Horizons, founder and director of the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources website which advertises and advises on archaeological placement and salary structures. He also runs Connolly Heritage Consultancy carrying out fieldwork along with co-directing the Rampart Scotland field Training School in East Lothian and Aberdeenshire. He is an advocate of open discussion and runs the large facebook group for British Archaeology which supports all that are interested in UK archaeology –commercial, academic, research and public.
I started what was to become my archaeological career in 1983, when I was taken on as a ‘digger’ on a Manpower Services Commision scheme in Cumbria. This was followed by another MSC scheme in Trafford, and work on the circuit. It was clear that if I wished to continue in archaeology I would need a degree. I did not want to go back to school and I was fortunate that Prof. Arnold Aspinall let me into Bradford on the strength of a five minute chat in a corridor. The Department of Archaeological Sciences was and still is an excellent place to study archaeology. I was then awarded a NERC studentship at the University of Edinburgh for my PhD where Ian Ralston and Geraint Coles were my supervisors.
A Mature student at the Natural and Cultural Heritage Management programme at University College of Northern Denmark finishing her degree in 2016. with a interest in the connection between human beings and landscape, with a focus on sense of place and heritage linked to geography.
Misha is a project assistant in Geopark Vestjylland in Western Jutland, Denmark, where she works with strategy, fundraising and community involvement. Past experience includes volunteer management, consulting on user experience within the hospitality sector as well as many years of volunteering at heritage centres and local history archives.”
“The hidden heritage of Veteran Trees and ancient woods in the Forest of Dean Gloucestershire”.
At Edinburgh I applied for funds from the University to start my own archaeological project (separate to my PhD. Research), which developed into a 10 year study of the Later Prehistory of Cumbria. After my PhD. I had a post doc at the Crichton campus of the University of Glasgow in Dumfries. Being based in Dumfries with a young family once my post doc ended I decided to work part time in continuing/distance learning and archaeological consultancy, rather than commute long distances to work. Since moving to Worcester in 2008 and with my children having grown up I have expanded my ‘portfolio’ career in teaching and am currently piloting a HLF program into the environmental history of woodland in the Forest of Dean.
Dave is an experienced archaeologist and diver / diving supervisor who has directed maritime archaeological projects that range in date from the Bronze Age to the Second World War and in scope from strategic studies to extensive field investigations. He has worked extensively throughout the British Isles as well as the Baltic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. His research interests focus on the archaeology of seafaring and ship construction of all periods but can extend into underwater cultural heritage management on occasions.
Archaeological Heritage in Naples: Hidden or Used?
Valeria is an Archaeologist and Physical Anthropologist with a great passion for Cultural Anthropology. She achieved her degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Pisa University. She is specialized in Forensic Anthropology, in Paleopathology, in Christian Archeology and Museum Sciences. She was Research Fellow in L’Aquila University, were she had her PhD in medieval Archeology. She is an archeologist and anthropologist both in the fieldwork and in laboratory, and thanks to this ability she is now a collaborator at the Superintendence of many Italian Regions (Liguria, Toscana, Trentino, Abruzzo). She took part in 52 archeological campaigns, 32 lab works on materials and 30 publications. The will to make known the work and the discoveries related to the archeology and the heritage led her to attend a second PhD in Architecture, Design and Cultural Heritage in Naples, with the specific intent to study how to communicate archeology. She fell in love with this city, its connected heritage and its unique cultural anthropology. Currently she is working on a PhD Thesis on “Musealization of Human Remains”, and she is attracted to the perspectives of the application of new technologies to cultural heritage for the enhancement of archeological sites and objects.
“Hidden Heritage- Unseen, Unknown, Undervalued, Untold”
A PhD student in cultural planning at UWS, with a background in town planning (BA Hons), heritage conservation (MSc), Education (TQFE) and creative media (MA), having worked in various Local Authorities in North East England and the West of Scotland and as a Teaching Fellow for Historic Scotland. She is a chartered town planner (MRTPI), Full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and member of the Associaion of Illustrators (AoI). Her academic research interests centre around community engagement and heritage management through using digital and artistic methods. She writes a twice-weekly newsblog for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and runs an award winning freelance digital interpretation and illustration practice.
Read by Mark Watson
Protection of Listed buildings and better ways of recording heritage on a local level.
“Cultural anxieties and ritual protection in early modern high status houses”
James is a Senior Buildings Archaeologist and Historic Stone Specialist at the Museum of London Archaeology. He has worked on building recording projects at the Tower of London, Palace of Westmimster, Southwark Cathedral, Knole and the largest, yet least known, Mediaeval royal palace at Kings Clipstone in Sherwood Forest. James is a self-confessed historic graffiti nerd and conducts surveys, teaches workshops and writes about the hopes, fears and desires of the people of the past hidden in plain sight on the walls of our buildings.
“Hidden Skills; Hidden Dangers: Addressing the skills gaps in the traditional building sector”
Kathryn manages the Heritage Skills Centre at Lincoln Castle, with responsibility for programme development as well as delivery of training and raising awareness of the heritage construction sector. Her formal training is in Archaeology (BA Hons) and Heritage Management (MA), with an interest in historic buildings, specifically traditional skills training, being developed during her time at North of England Civic Trust working on the Heritage Skills Initiative. Kathryn has delivered training programmes on a wide range of private and grant funded projects as well as coordinating awareness raising events such as the Heritage Skills Festival in the North East and, more recently, 1000 Years of Traditional Crafts in Lincoln. She sits on the Heritage Practice Training Programme Advisory Board and the Advisory Group for SPAB’s Maintenance Cooperative project in Lincolnshire. Kathryn is an Affiliate member of IHBC working towards her Associate membership.
“FINDING NERO – using 3D laser scanning to identify Roman emperors”
A senior lecturer in prehistoric and Roman archaeology at Bournemouth University and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (London). He has worked as a field officer and project manager for the UCL Field Archaeology Unit, the Oxford Archaeological Unit and Bournemouth Archaeology on sites across Southern England, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Germany, Sicily and Russia. He is co-director of Bournemouth University’s Archaeological Field School and also the Durotriges Project and REGNVM, investigating the transition from the Iron Age to Roman period in SW and SE Britain, the Imperial Image Database, investigating Roman portraiture and the Chalkland Prehistoric Project, examining the Neolithic monumental architecture of the South Downs, Southern England.
Miles is a regular contributor to television and radio, his most recent appearances being in Time Team, Timewatch, The Seven Ages of Britain, A History of Ancient Britain, Digging for Britain, Secrets from the Sky and Underground Britain.
He is the author of fourteen books, including The Piltdown Man Hoax:Case Closed, UnRoman Britain: Exposing the Great Myth of Britannia(with Stuart Laycock), Bloodline: the Celtic Kings of Roman Britain,Monuments of the British Neolithic: the Roots of Architecture and Flint Mines in Neolithic Britain and numerous other papers and journal articles.
“Hidden in plain view”
Visiting Research Fellow in Tourism at University of West of England (Formerly Principal Lecturer, Bristol Business School, UWE); Academic Adviser to European Walled Towns (EWT) formerly the Walled Towns Friendship Circle: researching – their history, tourism and sustainable development as well as the archives of the EWT itself . David also research’s 19th Century Tourism history associated with Baedeker, Murray and other Guide books. David has also worked on and led bids and projects funded by the European Commission and British Council. He has lectured in tourism at Bristol Polytechnic, now University of West of England, Bristol 1983 -2008, leading field study trips in England, Wales and across Europe. I have been external examiner for tourism at Staffordshire, Manchester Met, (Masters degrees) and Swansea Met (UG) Universities.
Before 1983, David was a Marketing Manager and Transport Planner with National Bus Company in Chester, Oxford and London. Studying History, Economics and Town Planning at St Andrews (MA) and Edinburgh (MPhil) Universities (thesis on ‘Pedestrian Priority Shopping Streets’ 1975) professionally qualified in Town Planning (MRTPI to 2012), Transport (MCILT) and Tourism (MTS).
Christopher Dore of HBI helps businesses navigate the difficult process of running a business. Check them out!
Ran Boytner talks about the great field schools that they manage from around the world. This is an awesome program for anyone interested in taking a field school in diverse areas.
We talk to the people behind Open Context and the DINAA project about site records in the US.
DINAA
Interview with the Anthropological Research Council about small crowdfunding grants for research.
