Traces of the past are entangled in all aspects of the everyday and the contemporary. The poster posits that everyday belongings and everyday life are integral to the work of archaeology—as illustrated by case studies, our 'Manifesto for Everyday Heritage', and publications.

The Everyday Heritage project is funded by the Australian Research Council Linkage programme and industry partner GML Heritage. 

The present study examines the relationship between the complexity of the Jōmon clay figures and demographic dynamics by gathering and using 3D data of the clay figurines to test a cultural evolutionary hypothesis that complex cultures could appear and be maintained with high demographic densities.

In this presentation, we will present a new methodology for measuring the fluoride concentration in deciduous teeth excavated from archaeological sites as an indicator of local population to clarify human migration archaeologically.The development of this methodology will help clarify the actual movement and marriage patterns of hunter-gatherers.

 The subjects are permanent and deciduous teeth from approximately 2,500 years ago excavated from the Usumoshiri site in the northern part of the Japanese archipelago.Because the groundwater around this site has a high fluoride concentration, it is expected that the deciduous teeth of people who grew up in this area will have a high fluoride concentration.

 The comparison subjects are deciduous teeth of modern people who grew up in an adjacent area with low fluoride concentration. For the analysis method, 1 mg of tooth enamel was collected and measured using an ion chromatography system.

The results showed that the deciduous teeth from the Usumoshiri site, which has a high fluoride concentration, have a higher fluoride concentration than the deciduous teeth of modern people from low-fluoride areas. Using this, it can be said that of the five permanent teeth from the Usumoshiri site, the two with low fluoride concentrations are likely people who migrated to the area around the site as adults.

The construction between 2020 and 2025 of the Expressway 12 in southern Romania (DEx 12), which connects the cities of Craiova and Pitești, and from there with access by highway to the country's Capital (Bucharest), is rightly considered a great achievement for the Romanian infrastructure. Also nicknamed the Oltenia’s Highway or the Ford Highway (since it was heavily requested by the Ford factory in Craiova), this 121 km long expressway crosses three counties (from west to east: Dolj, Olt and Argeș), generally in plain areas and crossing several watercourses, the most important of which is the Olt River, a main tributary of the Danube. The value of the project was about 1 billion Euros (about 73% from the EU, the rest government funds). The archaeological assistance was complex, from intrusive diagnosis to salvage archaeology and surveillance in the field. For the museums involved in the archaeological effort (especially the Argeș County Museum in Pitești) the amount allocated was a maximum of ca. 300,000 Euros (no more than 0.03 of the general project budget). On the four sections of the expressway, 12 archaeological sites were identified and researched, unevenly distributed: one in Dolj County (Gârlești), six in Olt County (Slătioara, Milcov, Braneț, Buicești, Negreni, Cârstani) and five in Argeș County (Mârghia, Pădureți, Broșteni, Albota, Recea). These sites span 7 millennia of cultures and civilisations, from the second half of the 6th millennium BC to the beginning of the 18th century AD, starting with the Neolithic and passing through the Bronze Age and the Roman era, to the Middle Ages and the pre-modern period.

The Harappan civilization is one of the most pominent bronze civilization in Indian subcontinent. Ganeshwar culture  is well known culture in North India. This culture had been found in Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan state of India. ganeshwar culture in the nighbored and parallel culture of Harappan civilization . Both cultures  have some similarity in artifacts. the cultural complex between them studied on the basis of artifacts. Artifacts study showed that both culutre have clear from the fact that there are stylistic correlations between their copper arrowheads and pottery analyse suggestion a more linkage between the Harappan and Ganeshwar culture people. This paper  brief described of significant antiquities and camparing the each other. Aim of the paper to understand the similarity and cultural complex of both cultures.

“Take Me Home: The Plea of the Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan”, presents a powerful visual appeal for the restitution of one of South Asia’s most iconic archaeological artifacts. The Dancing Girl, a 4,500-year-old bronze figurine excavated from Mohenjo-Daro in present-day Pakistan but currently held in India, is reimagined as a symbolic voice for displaced heritage. Through evocative text and imagery, the poster gives the artifact agency, presenting her as a silent witness to colonial extraction and a forgotten emblem of Pakistan’s cultural identity.

Designed for the 10th World Archaeology Congress (WAC-10) held in Darwin, Australia, this poster draws attention to restitution's emotional and ethical dimensions. It invites viewers to reflect on the intertwined issues of colonial legacy, cultural ownership, and regional memory, encouraging a shift from institutional control to community-centered heritage justice. The poster aligns with WAC-10’s broader themes of restitution, decolonization, and heritage politics.

Earth has been the most widespread building material around the World throughout History, under different traditional, pre-industrial construction techniques, still in use today in different parts of the globe. With their variants, they are currently classified in five main groups or “families”. But in contrast to what is transmitted in most earthen architecture references, more complex, difficult to classify forms of these techniques are also common. Do we need conceptual innovations leading to a new knowledge framework with which to better address the complexity and diversity of earth building practices in the past?

This poster explores the application of nuclear techniques in archaeological science, in uncovering, dating, and analysing material remains of the past. Methods such as radiocarbon dating, neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence, and accelerator mass spectrometry provide archaeologists with powerful tools for establishing chronologies, sourcing materials, and reconstructing ancient environments—often through non-destructive or minimally invasive means. The poster outlines the principles and applications of each technique. It also examines emerging nuclear methods, such as synchrotron-based imaging and isotope fingerprinting, which are expanding the analytical potential of the field. Emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with physics, environmental science, and data science, as well as the need to incorporate nuclear training into university curricula to equip students for in-depth archaeological research regarding nuclear techniques. Ultimately, this work highlights the value of nuclear science in preserving cultural heritage and advancing our understanding through a scientific lens.

This poster describes a small project undertaken through CDU in 2005 with the Larrakia community who sought a voice in management of Indigenous cultural heritage. This pilot project addresses, for the Darwin area, the now well-recognised historic lack of archaeological investigation into the presence of more recent Aboriginal places of post-colonial activity in urban areas. The findings of a dozen possible Indigenous contact sites identified in this small survey suggest that there may be many more of these types of places, which are generally barely visible surface scatters containing shells of mangrove taxa, worked glass or porcelain and sometimes stone artefacts. Thus, the poster calls for future archaeological research into post contact places for Darwin, including more extensive surveys and dating of more recent, less visible sites, and use-wear and residue analysis of glass artefacts found in association with historic buildings. Such research to identify historic Indigenous post contact places is essential for the Northern Territory, as for elsewhere in Australia, if Aboriginal people are to re-establish their visibility in a colonised landscape.

For decades, shipwreck sites were left unmonitored and unprotected, and an immeasurable number of archaeological resources - along with their potential for revealing information about the world’s maritime history - were lost. Around the mid-1900’s, maritime archaeology entered the global academic mainstream and practitioners developed sophisticated methodologies and technologies to excavate and study underwater sites as thoroughly and efficiently as terrestrial ones. Despite the global rise in maritime archaeological research and recognition, the discipline is still severely underrepresented in southern Africa. Universities offer few, if any, modules relating to maritime archaeology; the results of which are very few trained maritime archaeologists, and minimal maritime archaeological research. One particularly neglected area of South African maritime archaeology is systematic investigation of shipwreck survivor campsites. 

Through a careful analysis of archival material and an examination of artefacts recovered from the wrecks and survivor campsites of the Santa Maria Madre de Deus (1643) and Nossa Senhora Atalaia do Pinheiro (1647), this research will investigate the lived experiences of shipwreck survivors and answer questions relating to themes such as authority and social structure, subsistence strategies, health and mortality, and the role of survivor campsites as cross-cultural contact sites. The value of this research lies not only in its contribution to the advancement of maritime archaeological knowledge, but also in its attempt to generate academic and public interest in maritime archaeology and in the conservation of maritime sites.

This poster briefly describes the excavation of a buried cache of 60 stone tula adzes in Pitta Pitta Country.

Session Abstract: In 1981 the Willandra Lakes was inscribed as one of Australia's two first World Heritage Areas. Central to its inscription were the ancient remains of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man. Since then, fossil human remains from over 100 ancestral people dating to the Ice Age have been rescued from erosion, entrenching the Willandra as a centre of one of the world's great stories of humanity. In 2003 a delegation of Willandra Elders attended the 3rd WAC and discussed the then recent discovery of additional ancestral remains and emphasised the need for a keeping place. In 2017, with great ceremony, the ancestral remains were repatriated to the Willandra Lakes. Debate over the fate of the ancestral remains has created division, with some Traditional Owners arguing for long term retention in a keeping place while others have argued for reburial. In 2022 then Environment Minister Susan Ley approved reburial of the Willandra remains, while shortly after incoming Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, revoked this permission, awaiting further consideration. Nonetheless a delegation of Aboriginal people obtained access to the ancestral remains and Mungo Lady and Mungo Man were secretly reburied. The fate of the remaining ancestral remains is uncertain. In this session we shall explore the issues around the first reburial of ancestral remains recognised as part of the heritage of multiple parties, primarily Willandra's Three Traditional Tribal Groups, but also of that Australia and the world. We propose to explore the future of the past from multiple perspectives.

Session Abstract: The urban site has long been part of archaeological inquiry, as archaeologists have sought to understand settlement patterns, political economic structures, and lifeways in the deep past, as well as the process of urbanisation. Urban archaeology has also long been integral to historical archaeology. As many scholars have outlined, the passing of heritage legislation and urban development resulted in an increase in archaeological excavations at urban sites, especially in North American contexts. While archaeology in and of the city has never faded from view, the theoretical and methodological terrain of doing urban archaeology is re-emerging as an important conversation in historical archaeology. For example, within the Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA), the work of urban archaeologists has led to the revitalisation of the Urban Archaeology Network and the Urban Archaeology Working Group.

Paper 1: Sludge in the City: Urban Transformation and Archaeology in Ballarat and Bendigo

Abstract: The 1850s marked a period of profound transformation across Victoria’s gold rich towns and landscapes. The impact of mining in regional urban centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo created rich and complex layers of goldrush-related archaeology. The vast amounts of displaced mining-related sediment influenced the development of Victoria’s regional urban environments as waterways were rerouted and streets were raised to prevent property damage from inundation and burial beneath sludge.

In June 2023, the Heritage Council Victoria commissioned Heritage Victoria’s archaeology team to develop an Archaeology Management Plan for Ballarat and Bendigo. The aim of the study was to identify historical archaeological sites likely to be preserved beneath the modern townships. A combination of GIS-based spatial analysis and a detailed review of historical source material suggests that large numbers of significant historical archaeological sites survive beneath metres of accumulated sludge and fill. This paper discusses the project methodology, key outcomes and mechanisms used to ensure that the identified sites receive statutory protection under the state’s Heritage Act. The findings contribute to broader discussions on urban archaeology, heritage management, and the enduring impact of mining on both historical and contemporary landscapes.

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Paper 2: Masculinity in the Mining Industry of Tarapacá: An Archaeology of the ‘Saltpetre Man’ in the Company Town of Dolores During the 19th and 20th Centuries

Abstract: This article is an introduction to the study of gender construction in the nitrate industry of Tarapacá (1830–1930). Given the lack of an archaeology on the subject, we approach the figure of the ‘saltpetre man from a posthumanist perspective. Masculinity is understood as a material state in constant becoming, shaped by dynamic material relations in different cultural and social contexts. Our study focuses on the clothing recorded at the Dolores office, the former centre of the industry in what is now northern Chile. The description of textile ligaments, patches on clothing, and footwear repairs evidences how precarious conditions, performatively inscribed in the body and attire, imposed endurance to suffering as a natural masculine condition. This research aims to contribute to the archaeological study of gender in Latin American industrial contexts and to broaden the understanding of masculinity in past labour environments.

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Paper 3: The Art of the Ones Left Over: Discourses in the Graphic Landscape of Arica

Abstract: The city is a public space where various landscapes coexist, between them, the graphic landscape. Archaeology has studied its elements, from rock art to symbols on different objects. In recent times, contemporary archaeology has focused its interest on graffiti, an art form with a communicative nature, both within its specific communities and towards the general public. Its study allows for an understanding of the society in which it exists.

This research characterises the official and unofficial discourses present in the graphic elements of the urban landscape of Arica, Chile, from 1985 to the present (2024), with an emphasis on urban art, to understand it from an archaeological perspective.

Theoretically, the graphic landscape is conceived as an essential element of the urban public space, the public space as a place that enables discursivity, and graphic expressions as a discursive element.

Methodologically, pedestrian survey in two different ways (by sites and in a radial grid in the city) and archival review (historical records, social media, and online pages) were used, allowing for the analysis of both what is present (and absent) in the urban landscape.

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Paper 4: Callao Historical Archaeology: Values from the Past, Resilience for the Future

Abstract: The Callao city is one of the most dangerous areas in Peru, with lack of job opportunities and high rate of criminality; nevertheless, two recent historic archaeological discoveries have enriched the Callao city history with evidence of its importance as a commercial port and its role during the Peruvian independence processes. This research aims to strengthen the values and identity of the local people through their heritage.

First, the excavations in the Real Felipe Fortress have proven there was an ancient city buried, 3m under the actual surface, this city was one of the most important Spaniards ports during the viceroyalty and its destruction and disappearance was due to the 1746 earthquake and tsunami. Remains of the city demonstrates the importance of this city and the resilience of its people, who along the years built another city and recovered its economic activities and its independence from Spaniards.

Then, another important discovery was carried out in the site Inca Palace Oquendo, a pre-Hispanic site containing the body of a soldier who bravely fought in the Chile and Peru War in 1879. This corresponds to a mixed-race man, that was mortally wounded during a battle and was carried till this pre-Hispanic place to be buried intrusively, probably by their battle companions who were Andean people due to the offerings they included with the body. In conclusion, these two archaeological discoveries contribute to recovering the history and values from Callao people and contribute to enriching local identity through references of resilience.

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Paper 5: Stories as Method: Telling Tales of Urban Marginalised and Excluded Communities

Abstract: Archaeological interpretation is inherently creative. We can hypothesise on what we term facts based on data, but in reality, many of our 'facts' about the past are interpretation dressed in the scientific drag of Processual Archaeology. When Joan Gero called for us to honour the ambiguity in archaeological interpretation as part of a feminist movement to view the past through different lenses, she highlighted the problematic nature of a white male dominated version of the past we have all become familiar with.

In this paper we propose that story telling is not just for interpretation, but it is also, and must be, method. By explicitly embracing the ambiguity and creativity of archaeological interpretation we are free to explore the unknown, the othered, the marginalised and historically excluded communities. We then begin to question, and simultaneously to dismantle, the white, male, heteronormative dominated narratives of the past. Further, in turning our focus of creative interpretation specifically on the gaps between and beyond the archaeological objects and historical source, we explore, interrogate, and refine our understanding of the entangled and complex relationships between people, places, things, and ideas in the past in a better, democratic and truthful way.

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Paper 6: Ancestry, Kinship and Health in Medieval Urban Cemeteries of the North Sea Region

Abstract: In the last millennium, the population of Europe grew almost 20x because of the expansion of cities, enlargement of steady food production and improvements in healthcare. Not everyone benefited equally. Despite the profoundly improved understanding of genetic prehistory of Europe in recent years, major knowledge gaps still exist in the historic period. We still do not know what role health differences between social groups in the past had in the formation of the genetic make-up of present-day populations. The impact of plague pandemics and famines on health and mobility in medieval communities can now be measured with large sample sizes thanks to the recent advances in ancient DNA methods. This presentation will compare the medieval genomes from urban cemeteries around the North Sea coast, including East England and Flanders to see how kinship, mobility and social background influenced the make-up of communities and their health during the process of intensive urbanisation. We find differences in health measures, kinship and infectious disease probabilities in cemeteries attributed to distinct social groups. While detecting long-term shifts in local genetic ancestries in Flanders and in Cambridgeshire, we find the demographic impact of the second pandemic to be regionally varied and spread out over centuries.

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Paper 7: Disentangling Urban Itineraries: Making Samples and Belonging in an Urban, Industrial Skeletal 'Population'

Abstract: Urban skeletal assemblages have been intensely studied, as bioarchaeologists examine the relations between the environment and health. At the same time, urban sites pose significant challenges, as traditional bioarchaeological methods require that peoples with diverse itineraries be 'pinned down' for analysis.

The Huntington Anatomical Collection (1893-1921) is composed of immigrants, migrants, and life-long New York City residents, many of whom shared space and time in the city. Yet, they are often sorted into categories for analysis—countries of origin, assigned race and gender, and age—flattening complex movements and social relations and occluding a view of the city as it was lived. Drawing upon archival evidence, I argue that such separation practices have profound implications for how we consider kinship and social relations in the past. These concerns extend into current questions regarding descendant engagement, as practitioners and institutions engage communities of care and navigate future stewardship and/or repatriation.

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Paper 8: Understanding How the Industrial Revolution Reshaped the Global Oral Microbiome

Abstract: During the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution (IR) spurred population growth, catalysed the mechanisation of numerous industries, and led to heightened levels of pollution. The IR also precipitated a notable decline in human health across many populations. Exploring the oral microbiome of this critical juncture offers a promising avenue to mechanistically examine the effects of the IR on human health. Here, we compare the ancient oral microbiomes of 134 individuals living before and after the IR (c. 1770) in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. While confounding factors prevented us from testing the effects of the IR across Europe, we were able to detect a significant association between the IR and shifts in the oral microbiome in England—the birthplace of the IR. These effects associated with the IR were also maintained into the late 19th and early 20th centuries in a British colony in Australia. However, these IR associated changes were not found in modern populations, suggesting the oral microbiome has shifted since IR and highlight how historical ancient DNA projects can shape our understanding of the origins of disease.

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Paper 9: Domestic Architecture and the Development of the City

Session Abstract: Climate change has long been recognised as a crucial catalyst for biological evolution and cultural advancements in human history. While its significance in shaping our species' adaptability and ingenuity is acknowledged, a deeper understanding of the how, what, when, and why remains elusive. Current models of human-climate-environment interplay in archaeological contexts often lead to oversimplistic ideas of environmental determinism, failing to capture the nuanced reality. The highly diverse and mosaic environments of South Asia present a particularly complicated story of these relationships. The region's long archaeological record attests to its persistent attraction for human occupation, with evidence suggesting the presence of stable habitats or climatic refugia that provided ecological and cultural continuity, even during extreme events such as the ~74ka Toba super-eruption and the Younger Dryas.

This session’s key objectives are to understand the diverse scenarios of human-climate-environment interplay in South Asia and to test the nature and level of synchronicity among these processes. We will examine diverse case studies using various proxies to paint a regional picture of human ecology and environment. The session will concentrate on comprehensive studies that utilise archaeological, scientific, epigraphic and literary evidence to explore how ancient cultures perceived, recorded, and interacted with their environment.

Paper 1: Late-Quaternary Human Adaptation and Technologies in North-Central India: A Case Study on the Site Chopanimando

Abstract: North-Central India incorporates the southern part of the central Uttar-Pradesh and its adjoining part of the northern Madhya-Pradesh in India. Geographically the Vindhyan range, Son Valley and Belan Valley, along with their tributaries, are the important units of this part of the country. The site Chopanimando is situated in Belan Valley, on the terrace of old channel of the river. It was occupied by early-humans during the transitional phase of the terminal-Pleistocene and early-Holocene, which culturally incorporates the Upper Palaeolithic, the transition of Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, the Mesolithic and the transition of Mesolithic and Neolithic. It was a time of a huge environmental transformation when the site was occupied and reflected through its cultural material, primarily the stone tools. Therefore, the attribute analysis of the tools from the site could be interpreted in terms of human adaptation towards changing environmental conditions. The present exercise will shed light on the attributes and statistical analysis of the lithics collected from the surface of the site Chopanimando and correlations made with previous microwear and phytolith analysis results from the site (Sinha 2012; Tulika and Sinha 2014).

Presenters:

Paper 2: Adapting to Nature: Settlement Pattern Dynamics vis-a vis Climatic Changes: A Case Study of Kashi

Abstract: During the last few decades hydrographers, geographers and geologists have applied their specialised knowledge to the study of geophysical systems in the Kashi region. The time, therefore, seems ripe to undertake an inter disciplinary study to position the site selection-expansion-exploitation-desertion process in the context of regional environmental shifts. It is proposed here that climatic factors may have driven cultural adaptations and innovations in ancient settlements across Kashi. Identification of signatures of such influences in human response, such as construction of kundas to tackle water scarcity, shifting of settlements to favourable location etc., constitutes an important aim of this study. By integrating archaeological records, literary data and palaeoenvironmental proxies, this study aims to establish a correlation between climate variations and settlement responses in ancient Kashi to examine how changes in river courses, monsoon intensity and temperature fluctuations shaped habitation and sustainability of settlements in ancient Kashi.

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Paper 3: Crystallographic Study of Vertebrate Fossils from the Central Narmada Valley, India

Abstract: The Narmada River originates in eastern Madhya Pradesh near Amarkantak (200 40′ N, 81 46′ E), and travels through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before emptying into the Gulf of Cambay in the Arabian Sea, close to Baruch in Gujarat. Numerous fossil discoveries in the region include various mammals, reptiles, fishes, amphibians, and molluscan shells. In addition to being a rare mid-continental location in the Old World, the Narmada Valley has traditionally served as a line delineating Northern and Southern India. This valley has produced countless animal fossils, as well as a few human fossils. This has been a crucial route for the movement of both faunal migrations from the north to the south and the transmission of the monsoons from the southeast to the northwest. The present work examines the crystallisation index of the faunal fossils from three (Barmanghat, Talayyaghat, Devakachar) localities in the Central Narmada valley falling within the region of Madhya Pradesh. Fossil samples were subjected to X-Ray diffraction in order to calculate the crystallisation index as a direct indicator of the degree of fossilisation. The materials of the Narmada River valley have been studied extensively by previous scholars; however, this study is first attempt to study the fossils using scientific technique such as XRD.

Presenters: 

Paper 4: Zooarchaeological Proxies as Palaeoenvironmental Index in Prehistoric Middle Ganga Plain and Vindhyas, India

Abstract: The Middle Ganga Plain and Vindhyas together represent binary geological configurations encompassing both hills and the alluvial flood plains. No wonder it was an area of attraction for Stone Age hunter-gatherers and early farmers, who have left behind their imprints in the archaeological record of the region. Palaeoenvironmental research nowadays is thriving in archaeology and knowledge regarding palaeoenvironments has also expanded impressively. The field has seen a proliferation of new techniques and tools for gathering information about past environments. Nevertheless, many sources are still not fully tapped as sources for such an enterprise. The same is the case regarding the utility of faunal remains in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Though the palaeozoologists themselves have long used taxa represented by ancient faunal remains to reconstruct palaeoenvironments, in Indian archaeology, their role was rather during the last century. It has become increasingly apparent in the past two decades that the palaeozoological record comprises an archive of results concerning how biota responds to environmental change. This, along with the growing interest in the study of ancient environment, has led to the use of archaeozoological sources as an important proxy for palaeoenvironmental studies. The current study represents one such work where data from archaeozoological sources has been utilised to study the palaeoenvironment in the Middle Ganga Plain and Vindhyas, India. This paper provides an overview of the growing body of research on palaeoenvironmental records from archaeo-faunal contexts.

Presenters:

Session Abstract:

The ritual monuments and natural sacred places symbolically structured landscapes throughout world prehistory. How did prehistoric communities perceive their monuments and did they respect and reuse the ritual sites of their ancestors? Did these places retain their sacral nature or were they simply transformed into areas of secular settlement and thus lost their original sacredness? Awareness of the ritual purpose of some monuments and natural shrines was passed down in oral tradition and shared by generations of people sharing common spiritual identity.

In this session we welcome papers that investigate the development and perception of ritual sites and landscapes by successive generations of prehistoric populations. Combining modern archaeological and scientific methods, it is possible to analyse and reconstruct how the monuments were created, reused and altered and, in some cases, destroyed, by later generations. How did human sacred activities form the landscapes and create long term palimpsests of ritual behaviour? How did people create sacred areas to bury and celebrate their ancestors, how did they divide the space for the living and the dead? We want to hear the stories of how the sacred places and monuments were created and how they were perceived by following generations. Archaeological evidence reveals that some places where people worshipped their gods and ancestral spirits continued to function as arenas of ritual and social interaction despite major changes in population history. In other cases, the evidence show that their original spiritual function was terminated. What can modern interdisciplinary research and methodology of landscape reconstruction tell us about human spirituality in relation to cultural spaces and natural environments?

Paper 1: Neolithic Long Barrows and Continuity of Shared Spiritual Identities in the Prehistoric Landscape

The earliest manifestation of funerary monumentality in Central Europe is represented by long barrows from the 4th millennium BC. The latest discoveries from Dlouhé Dvory and Račiněves in Czech Republic suggest that it was the long barrows that initiated the tradition of shaping ritual landscapes. The long barrows are commonly interpreted as funerary/religious sites, perhaps erected as part of a system of ancestral cult. They can also be perceived as territorial markers delineating the areas controlled by different farming communities and perceived as landmarks of previous habitation enduring for millennia after their construction. They gained further importance as shrines shaping regional identity and artefactual memory in landscape. Even centuries and millennia later these sites were reused for sacrificial and funerary purposes.

Long barrows, the houses of ancestors that served as sanctuaries, endured in the landscape for thousands of years. In several cases, secondary burials associated with the sequence from Copper to Iron Ages (3rd to 1st millennium BC) have been recorded within long barrows and their surroundings. People returned to them, sharing stories of ancient ancestors. This created a collective memory of communities spanning millennia, forming the foundation for medieval and modern legends.

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Paper 2: Maidams—The Burial Mounds of the Ahoms, India

The burial mounds of the Ahoms, the ruling dynasty of Assam (13th to 19th Century AD), are one of their unique features. As a customary practice, maidams (burial mounds) were erected for the dead. As Ahom rule spread, many maidams were constructed in the areas they frequented. The Ahoms originally belonged to a branch of Tais, and subscribed to a non-Hindu religious cosmogony. Despite subsequently adopting Hindu customs and practices, they never altogether gave up their burial practices. Their burial practices have been found mentioned in different texts from time to time, yet very few attempts have been made to study them systematically. Combining textual traditions with archaeological investigations on the burial mounds at Charaideo, Assam, the author offers some preliminary observations on the maidams and what they represent. It is argued that they were not only mortuary practices, but also important markers of identity of the past, as well as in present times. This practice was a tradition that differentiated the Ahoms from other dynasties (and the laity) of that region. The study hopes to help interpret other similar customs/traditions which survive and are transformed over time, without ever dying out completely.

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Paper 3: Megalithic Burials Found in Western Maharashtra 

Burial monuments, which form a significant part of the megalithic culture that emerged after the Chalcolithic period, are found across various parts of the world. In India, these monuments are particularly prominent in regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra. These structures offer important insights into the burial customs and cultural practices of ancient communities. In Nagpur district, single and circular burial monuments are still seen in large numbers, continuing to shed light on the region’s megalithic heritage. However, a notable discovery has been made in the Western Ghats of western Maharashtra, where menhir-type megaliths have been identified for the first time. These upright stones, which are typically associated with burial and ceremonial practices, are distinct from the more commonly found circular or cairn-type monuments in other parts of the country. The presence of these menhirs in the Sahyadri mountain plateau marks a significant addition to the megalithic traditions of India and suggests regional variations in burial practices. This paper aims to provide the preliminary documentation of these newly discovered menhir-type megaliths, highlighting their unique features, distribution, and potential cultural significance. By exploring these monuments, this study contributes to a broader understanding of megalithic practices in western Maharashtra and their role in shaping the region’s historical and cultural landscape.

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Paper 4: Sacred Rock Art Sites and Continuation of Rituals in India

The persistence of traditional ceremonies carried out by local tribals in rock art sites is still going on in the remote forest areas in India. Nowadays, except for Australia, such a persistence of ritual practices in anciently painted shelters has become exceptional in the world and even in India those rituals are fast disappearing. They are all the more important to provide us with much needed information on people’s motifs, desires and beliefs relating to a rock art that had been created by their ancestors and pertains now to them. 

When ceremonies and rituals take place in or around painted sites and their surroundings long keep their spiritual value, three kinds of changes may occur with time: new traditional paintings may be added to the existing panels; when people from local tribes, often under the command  of a local ‘priest or ‘shaman’, go to the sites to perform, various ritual. They will make offerings to the gods and they may touch the walls and add a few fingerprints or handprints without doing any great harm. The second type of change is having a sort of altar or sanctuary built for one of the Hindu divinities in one corner of the shelter. Other types of images, signs  and script belonging to different religions, mostly to Hinduism or Buddhism, may cover and even replace the initial ones in the shelters. Finally, a modern temple may be built quite close, thus testifying to the power of the place, adding new traditional paintings. The rock art site is then dead. We shall see examples of these changes from the different states of the Indian subcontinent.

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Paper 5: Indigenous People of Arunachal Pradesh—Their Spiritual Identities and Landscape

Arunachal Pradesh, situated in the foothills of Himalayas is the northeastern most state of India. It is home to several hundred Indigenous people practising a belief system based on nature worship. These ethnic people have developed a close relationship with their environment, seeing the mountains, hills, streams, rivers, tress and forest not only as resources but as integral parts of the spiritual belief system. The Himalayan mountain peaks, rivers are often viewed as sacred abodes of the spiritual entities. The concept of sacred groves is not new to these Indigenous people. Be it Galo, Apatani, Aka or Nyishi, they have managed to preserve their ancient forests as part of their heritage and legacy. Therefore, it is interesting to note how these people are dealing with the contemporary challenges such as deforestation and commercial development in their region. There are several examples from Arunachal Pradesh, mostly community-led initiatives, that will be highlighted in this paper and examined how they embody the spirit of resilience and continue to navigate these contemporary challenges while remaining deeply connected to their spiritual identities written in their landscapes.

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Paper 6: Cervid Representations in the Caves of Franco-Cantabria – ‘Peripheral’ Animals or Mediators Between Worlds?

In the pictorial repertoire of the monumental and mobile art of the Franco-Cantabrian Upper Palaeolithic, the image of the deer played one of the most important roles. Leroi-Gourhan emphasised the ‘peripheral’ location of deer depictions relative to the bison and horse in Franco-Cantabrian caves. We assume that the ‘peripheral’ areas of the caves, in the binary coordinate system of ‘human-non-human’ served as the ‘border between worlds’. The symbolic significance of the deer image shows the location of its pictures at the entrances or in the most remote parts of the caves, the repeatability of the pictures, the emphasis on semantically significant parts (head and horns), paired pictures etc. These dates indicate the emergence of the primeval conception of the deer as totemic ancestor, protector of fertility and mediator between worlds. The development and spread of these archetypes through the territories of Europe and Asia indirectly confirms their existence in the art of the late Palaeolithic.

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Paper 7: The Use and Reuse of Rock Art Sites: Insights From Eastern and Southern Africa

Rock art is one of the most notable heritage resources that is found all around the world. There have been many contests over time regarding what was or is the meaning behind making rock art, and such deliberations continue to this day. The commonly accepted interpretation is that rock art served a religious purpose. One of the features of rock art is the act of superimpositioning. To some, this may have been a destructive exercise that threatened the authenticity of rock art. However, to the authors of rock art, this was a vital act to continuously maintain the spiritual potency of rock art. The reality, however, is that there has been greater emphasis placed by heritage authorities on the physicality of rock art, promoting what I call fossilisation. Such approach is contradictory to the cultural practices of managing the spiritual potency of rock art sites, an aspect that is still of interest to the descendants of those who made rock art and those who have attached the same spiritual significance even though they are not descendants. This attitude of heritage authorities, which criminalises spiritual practices at rock art sites, has challenged the ongoing use of rock art by communities in Eastern and southern Africa. Such actions are forcing the termination of spiritual acts that are still of significance to various societies. This is an argument supported by scholars who speak of rock art in past tense because those who made it are extinct, meaning their images can be fossilised for future generations.

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Paper 8: Sacred Silence and Buried Resistance: Spiritual Memory and the Landscape of Liuzhangli in Post-Authoritarian Taiwan

This paper examines the burial landscape of Liuzhangli (六張犁) in Taipei, where victims of Taiwan’s White Terror—many of them students, intellectuals, and political dissidents—were buried in standardised, austere graves. Drawing on archaeologies of repression and remembrance, this study explores how the site’s stark simplicity reflects authoritarian attempts to discipline death and suppress memory. Yet, despite this enforced minimalism, Liuzhangli has emerged as a powerful site of memory in post-authoritarian Taiwan. Its austere materiality, rather than signalling forgetting, paradoxically intensifies collective remembrance and ethical reflection. This paper invites archaeologists to reconsider prehistoric burial landscapes through the lens of modern historical cemeteries like Liuzhangli, suggesting that minimalist or constrained materiality can reflect deliberate, socially and politically charged choices about how death, memory, and spiritual identity are materially expressed.

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Session Abstract:

Biographical perspectives on rock art can be found interwoven within rock art studies globally. By offering an alternative approach to interpreting rock art, a biographical perspective invites us to analyse the details of an individual’s life and background to understand how these experiences may have shaped their artistic expression and vice versa – how creating rock art may have impacted their life. In rare and remarkable instances, we know the names of individual rock art artists and can piece together historical accounts to explore their legacies. In other cases, we can identify individuals as creators of rock art across varying time depths, though their names remain unknown to us. Similarly, some burial monuments adorned with rock art have been argued to reflect the deceased’s life. In this session, we challenge presenters to reflect on how rock art can also be biographical – offering insights into the lives of specific artists and others, and/or offering a biographical perspective on rock art places and motifs.

Paper 1: The Biographical Turn in Rock Art

This paper introduces the Rock Art and Biographical Perspectives session, presenting a global overview of biographical approaches to rock art and highlighting the potential of this perspective to illustrate the lives of individual artists and the social worlds they inhabit. While rock art has often been studied through stylistic, chronological, or symbolic lenses, a biographical approach invites us to consider the personal histories, identities, and lived experiences of those who created these works. Drawing on examples from diverse regions this paper questions how individual authorship and life histories have been identified or inferred across different archaeological and ethnographic contexts. It then turns to western Arnhem Land, northern Australia, to offer a case study grounded in collaborative research with Aboriginal communities and families. Here, I consider how one artist’s rock art reflects their personal, cultural, and historical narratives. These examples demonstrate how biographical perspectives can enrich our understanding of rock art as a socially embedded and historically situated practice.

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Paper 2: The Paradox of Indigenous Artists as ‘Artists’: A Biographical Perspective on Aboriginal naBadmardi Nayombolmi’s Art, Western Arnhem Land, Australia

naBadmardi Nayombolmi has been described as a national icon and recognised as the world’s most prolific known rock artist. His work spans various media, including bark, rock surfaces, cars, bodies, and objects. The breadth of his subject matter is remarkable, encompassing 16 fish species, four bird species, three turtle species, ten different mammals, four body-related motifs, four plant species, four types of reptiles, 15 objects, numerous ornaments, diverse human figures, spirit Beings, and more than a dozen Ancestral Beings. In this presentation, I take a biographical approach to his art, examining how his life is reflected in his artwork and how his artwork, in turn, mirrors his life.

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Paper 3: Tactile Places: Exploring the Sensory and Liminal Character of Palaeolithic Embodied Markings at Ardales Cave

Deep within Ardales Cave in southern Spain, in its most secluded chamber, someone pressed their pigment-coated hands against the rock, dragging them downward to leave two striking markings. At the cave’s threshold, another handprint marks the entrance, while two hand stencils—sprayed by mouth—lie hidden within a shimmering calcite curtain, accessible only by climbing. Found across Palaeolithic Europe and beyond, these embodied markings reflect how humans physically engaged with their surroundings. Using Ardales as a case study, this paper explores how such traces express a sensory and biographical relationship between body, movement, and place. Embodied markings—motifs that resemble hands, fingers, or mouths—materialise the gestures that created them, emphasising the act of marking as much as the mark itself. Often placed on liminal or hard-to-access surfaces, they appear choreographed to the cave’s topography—grasping ridges and dragging down walls—suggesting intimate, performative acts. Unlike figurative depictions, these markings emphasise the immediacy of touch, offering a form of expression grounded in embodied experience. By examining these tactile acts, we gain insights not just into artistic practices, but into the lived experiences of early humans—and how they may have perceived, inhabited, and inscribed meaning onto the world around them.

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Paper 4: The Hand of Masitise: Exploring the Life of a Painter Through Two Rock Art Sites in Southeastern Lesotho

By the early twentieth century in the mountain highlands of what is now Lesotho, few if any Bushmen (San) lived as hunter-gatherers in independent communities. Most had come to live under the protection of Sotho or Phuthi chiefs. In 1932, Masitise, a Phuthi man, created some ‘Bushman paintings’ on the veranda walls of the Quthing Residence at the request of Marion How, wife of the District Commissioner. The majority of the imagery refers to a battle scene between two Bushman chiefs, Soai and Mphaki. Other imagery includes eland, a snake, and an imaginary figure Masitise described as a mythical beast. Similar imagery occurs in a rock shelter half a km from the residence, reportedly painted in 1929. We use digital enhancement and visual analysis to reveal stylistic and iconographical similarities, and to argue that the two sets of figures may have been products of the same hand. This small body of work provides a glimpse into the life of Masitise. Taking inspiration from the Bushman tradition and finding his way in a new world order, Masitise combined realism and ambiguity in a distinctive expression, establishing a unique position for himself as an artist crossing boundaries and working ‘in-between’.

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Paper 5: Making Rock Art Today – Encounters with Practicing Samburu Rock Art Painters

Kenya’s Samburu warriors still make rock art and express their cultural identity through images of humans, animals, and weapons painted and carved on cliffs and rock shelters. In a new research project beginning this year, a group of international researchers will interact with different generations of Samburu painters, and through conversations learn when, where, and why they make rock art. The collaborative, participatory nature of the research is intrinsic to the enquiry, providing an opportunity to gain an emic perspective directly from the rock art creators themselves. In this paper we describe the processes of collaborative knowledge production, highlighting the importance of the artists' role in shaping our understanding of their rock art practice. Building on our earlier work, we discuss our methodologies that incorporate not only artist profiles and dialogues, but also reciprocal community exchanges to construct reflexive research methods. These include training for local scouts to locate and photograph rock art, a locally-generated digital database of the imagery, and longer-term heritage plans to help sustain the communities today. Through this work we aim to gain a deeper understanding of how rock art creation and consumption impacts the lives, identities and broader socio-environmental landscapes of Samburu warriors.

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Session Abstract:

This session explores the preservation of First Nations heritage through the development and distribution of new media channels for urban and remote communities. In the twenty-first century, personal and collective identity evolves from the communication that exists through online access.

The continuing impacts of colonisation present a challenge to preserve centuries-old Indigenous knowledge in a global environment. First Nations groups must have access to the digital world to participate in essential online services.

First Nations groups can sustain their culture by negotiating contemporary practices within an online world that absorbs its participants, especially younger people. ICTV, the Indigenous Community Television Network, and First Nations Media organisations provides one such outlet. With the continuing encroachment of social media, other channels might prove necessary.

How do land councils mobilise resources that provide access to marginal and remote communities? How do First Nations people, particularly young people, engage social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, where far-removed corporate entities shape the rules of engagement?

How do systems of community engagement and participation, such as ICTV, social media, and digital inclusion, provide a foundation and/or context for self-determination, and how might that self-realisation inform other forms of media engagement and cultural heritage preservation?

This session invites the exchange of ideas among participants from across the digital spectrum—from community television advocates to social media activists, to explore the ongoing evolving interface between First Nations heritage and the digital world.

Session Abstract:

Archaeological theory, the spectrum of philosophical and methodological ideas and frameworks fundamental to interpreting the material record, is vital to conducting informed archaeological analysis. Despite this, a prevailing issue in the teaching of archaeology is student engagement with the theoretical, which is often viewed as arcane, impractical, or simply uninteresting. In response, teachers have tried to embrace creative classroom activities that involve students as co-creators of theoretical knowledge, moving away from treating them as passive recipients, but to mixed success. This approach, tied to an idealised view of the classroom as a ‘location of possibility’, decentres those students who find success in applying, challenging and reinterpreting a range of archaeological theories in their assignments beyond the activities of the classroom. In this view the breadth and complexity of theory, traditionally held to be an obstacle, can instead be seen to motivate independent study, critical thinking, and positive learning outcomes for students’ engagement with theory.

By acknowledging student initiative in the learning and application of theory, this session seeks to encourage students of archaeology to truly be active rather than passive, and challenge teacher-led discussions of archaeological pedagogy. This session will be a reflexive conversation aiming to provide educators insight into how today’s students learn and apply theory. How do students critically assess the relevance of different theoretical frameworks for their own research interests? How do students see theory represented in assignment questions? Are students encouraged to critique or adapt existing theories rather than simply apply them? Are students challenged to explore interdisciplinary approaches to theoretical questions?

As students’ cultural and personal backgrounds influence their engagement with theoretical paradigms, this session strongly encourages a diversity of perspectives from student panellists and participant questioners.

Session Abstract:

This session hopes to start a dialogue concerning the reuse of archival data. We are particularly interested in the use of oral history and traditions and how they may be incorporated with excavation material.

The archaeological research community was an early adopter of digital tools for data acquisition, organisation, analysis, and presentation of research results of individual projects. (Richards 2022). As several projects have shown, digital data can be shared, but how can those data be used? To address those questions, principles and ontologies have been created and are ready to be applied.

One such concept is FAIR data. FAIR data is data which meets the principles of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR). The acronym and principles were defined in the journal Scientific Data in 2016.

Digital archive access projects will revolutionise archaeological research and are vital if we want to attain the R in FAIR. However, it is necessary to apply an ontology to the data, otherwise the time needed to understand the semantics of each dataset is insurmountable. CRMarchaeo, an extension of the CIDOC CRM, is one way to link a wide range of existing documentation from archaeological investigations. It was created to promote a shared formalisation of the knowledge extracted from archaeological observations. It provides a set of concepts and properties that allow clear explanation (and separation) of the observations and interpretations made, both in the field and in post-excavation. 

Using FAIR principles is critical to the creation of wider pictures of regions or periods and can also be a stepping stone to generating Big Data for further analysis. In this session we invite presentations from organisations or projects who are addressing these issues. We are particularly interested in applications of the CIDOC CRM and its extension CRMarchaeo.

Richards, J. 2022 Presentation at CHNT Vienna.

Paper 1: True Integration: Moving from Just Finding Archives to Interpreting Archaeological Documentation Utilising CRMarchaeo

This integration study considers progress on the integration of Swedish archaeological excavation databases using the family of extensions of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM). The core of the project is to integrate the 2500 current Intrasis database instances and to enable all future Intrasis instances to be integrated without manual intervention. The requirement is to move beyond the traditional GIS based gazetteers, that allow the discovery of which archives/databases are about the correct type of site or that are in the right geographic area, and provide full search access to the original site documentation. This will provide more opportunities for innovative intra- and inter-site research as the effort required to discover appropriate material is reduced.

The presentation showcases the work undertaken by Intrasis and Paveprime to make the original site archive data accessible without resource hungry recasting and harmonisation. The most recent phase of the work has concentrated on allowing multiple interpretations to be made accessible to researchers and the linking of oral history and traditions to site archives. Technical innovation has concentrated on presenting the material using the enhanced functionality possible with RDFS*.

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Paper 2: Digital Archiving and the Dissemination of Archaeological Records in South Asia 1900-2000

The use of digital tools in archaeology is updating the preservation and dissemination of historical records, ensuring accessibility for researchers and the wider public. The Archaeological Archive at Lahore Fort, a collaborative initiative of Global and Historical Studies, Government College Lahore Pakistan, and the Walled City Lahore Authority, (we were part of the team) documents over a century of archaeological work from 1900 to 2000, spanning the British colonial period to post-independence Pakistan. This project digitally catalogues excavation reports, site maps, photographs, and documents, creating a structured and searchable database. By systematically cataloguing these materials, the archive facilitates comparative research on excavation methodologies, conservation practices, and shifting archaeological narratives over time (colonial to post-colonial). Integrating digital and AI tools enhances long-term preservation and allows for new interpretations of South Asian archaeology. The archaeological research community was an early adopter of digital tools (Richards 2022), yet ensuring the effective reuse of data requires structured frameworks. To address these challenges, FAIR principles and ontologies have been developed and are now being implemented, ensuring that digital archives become sustainable, accessible, and reusable resources for global heritage research.

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Paper 3: Cloud Computing and Cultural Heritage IT: A Primer

Cloud computing has become the common term used by many manufacturers to describe their products and services. Everything is now ‘Cloud’ or ‘Cloud ready;, but what exactly does this mean and what are the implications to cultural heritage computing? Many organisations are looking to Cloud computing to reduce their Information Technology costs. Is this a realistic goal? Certainly the Sunday colour supplements are trumpeting this as the great benefit. This paper defines the key cloud computing concepts and examines the implications of cloud computing to the heritage sector. In particular, it outlines the organisational and policy changes that heritage organisations must consider.

We will cover the five Cloud tenets (Broad Network Access, Resource Pooling, Rapid Elasticity, Metered Service and On Demand Self Service), the 3 service models (Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)), the four deployment models (Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud and Community Cloud), Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) and the generic Information Technology as a Service (ItaaS) concept. It will look at the generic management structures, policies and charge back and/or show back mechanisms that need to be implemented within organisations hoping to work with Cloud computing.

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Paper 4: Dealing with Text: Machine Learning Techniques in Digital Humanities

This paper will consider some Big Data and Machine Learning techniques concerned with representing Corpuses of text in Digital Humanities. In particular it will consider Topic discovery in grey literature using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). It will also show using simple techniques like Bag of Words, RegEx and Naive Bayes classifiers for representing texts and repurposing Sentiment Analysis to consider quantifying context descriptions.

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Paper 5: Big Data, Machine Learning and AI: What's it all About and What's in it for Cultural Heritage?

The paper offers an overview of the characteristics and definitions of Big Data and its processing. It includes a case study on using machine learning within museum documentation and looks to future application areas.

Big Data is frequently characterised with the 'V-Words': Volume, Velocity and Variety. However, these are not the only V-words, and their use is not always clear. Their definitions will be made clear and the implications for data management practice both in general and in museums will be explored.

The power of Big Data is in what you do with it. Key classes of techniques will be outlined together with their challenges. One class of technique is the use of machine learning to process structured and unstructured data. The trial that used such text mining techniques on narrative material from the documentation of the Horniman Museum is a useful case study and test-bed.

We will then offer some thoughts on other application areas and lessons that can be learnt about data curation and integration at both the intra- and inter-museum levels.

Presenters:

Session Abstract:

Human bones and teeth are highly informative biological structures that provide valuable insights into various aspects of past human life, not only from anatomical information. This session will highlight the great potential of biological materials such as human bones and teeth, paleopathology and parasite eggs to understand past lifestyles, especially when combined with complementary methodologies, as well as how past human populations interact with their environment, developed livelihood strategies, and experienced diet, health and stress.

By combining multiple approaches, we hope to provide a more comprehensive view of the complex relationships among diet, health, and lifestyle in different eras and regions. We encourage submissions from researchers who explore these themes through case studies in various chronological and geographical contexts. We believe that studies that combine archaeological and anthropological methods with biological sources will facilitate the use of richer information about people’s lifestyles in the past.

This session aims to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas that cross not only time periods and regions but also research disciplines, introduce innovative methodologies, and facilitate discussions that bridge gaps between researchers’ specialties. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we hope to establish an overview of the current state of bioarchaeology and related research and provide inspiration and collaborative opportunities for all participants.

Paper 1: Synchrotron Radiation Approaches to Human Bioarchaeology: State of the Art, and Case Studies

SESAME, the first synchrotron located within the region known as the cradle of civilisation, opened its doors with its first official beam time focusing on ancient human remains. This paper introduces key aspects of SESAME, in its Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern (EMME region) context, and takes the audience on a journey of discovery as regards the ancient people – real individuals – who inhabited the EMME region in the distant past, and contributed significantly to how we live today. In so doing we also focus on the advances, challenges and potential of synchrotron-radiation-enabled approaches to Human Bioarchaeology. The paper takes stock of use of SR in human bioarchaeology from its inception, globally, and traces the increasing use of SR enabled approaches within this discipline, in comparison to earlier adoption of SR in other domains of archaeology and heritage science. The paper includes state-of-the-art showcase examples of research case studies employing a wide range of SR techniques, including SR-FTIR, SR-microXRF mapping, SXCT, EXAFS and XANES, among others.

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Paper 2: Beyond the Visible: Microscopic Exploration of Starch Residues in Archaeological Contexts from East Asia

Since the 1970s, studies on archaeological starch have been prioritised for promoting research. A large body of research, particularly since the 2000s, has revealed that residual starch granules can provide direct evidence for the production and processing of plant foods in diverse cultural contexts. Although the analysis was introduced to East Asia approximately a decade later than in other regions, such as Europe and the United States, extensive starch data have been collected from stone artefacts, pottery sherds, wooden materials, sediments, and human/animal dental calculus. These studies significantly altered our understanding of plant use and subsistence strategies in prehistoric and historic East Asia. The number of cases reported from Japanese and Chinese sites have significantly increased, and studies that consider the reality of past food production and acquisition strategies have produced results. This presentation discusses the analysis of archaeological starch from human dental calculus and artefacts used to reconstruct diets and foodways in Neolithic China and Japan. Although a direct comparative analysis is not feasible owing to the different timeframes of the case study sites, this presentation explores how plant diets and foodways can be reconstructed from starch residues in archaeological contexts.

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Paper 3: Dental Calculus Studies in Brazil: Advances, Limitations, and Future Directions

More than two decades ago, a group of researchers in Brazil took the first steps toward the development of a new line of research in archaeology and bioanthropology—one that was also emerging internationally: the study of dental calculus contents. The initial investigations focused on the microbotanical remains found in dental calculus samples and had a strong exploratory nature, contributing to the framework of this research field. At the time, the goal in Brazil was to explore the largely unknown consumption and use of plants by the builders of the sambaquis (shell-matrix sites dating from around 8000 years BP, which occur along almost the entire Brazilian coast), a group whose way of life was closely linked to the lagoons and the sea. In recent years, the analysis of dental calculus contents has expanded to a wide range of archaeological contexts while also incorporating methodological advancements, yielding highly promising results. In this presentation, I provide an overview of this field of research and discuss its prospects in Brazil, considering both the established methodologies and the avenues that remain open for further exploration.

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Paper 4: Marks of Identity: The Ancient Tooth Ablation Custom in Southeast Asia

Ritual tooth ablation—the deliberate removal of erupted anterior teeth—is a significant form of bodily modification that provides valuable insights into population differentiation and leaves discernible traces in the archaeological record. This practice was notably prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region, with evidence in East Asia dating back to 7000 BP among agricultural communities. During the Neolithic, as farming populations expanded, this practice also spread into Southeast Asia, which had previously been inhabited by hunter-gatherers. Taiwan and Vietnam serve as critical regions for understanding these demographic shifts and human interactions, functioning as pivotal crossroads between continental Asia and both Island and Mainland Southeast Asia.

This study examines tooth ablation as a bio-cultural marker, tracing its development in Taiwan from 4800 BP and Vietnam from 4000 BP. By synthesising archaeological and ethnographic evidence, it reconstructs local evolutionary trajectories and underscores the cultural significance of this practice. Situating these findings within broader discussions on identity construction and interregional interactions, this research advances our understanding of how tooth ablation intersected with the expansion of ancient linguistic families and the dynamics of past societies across the Asia-Pacific.

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Paper 5: Selective Mortality of Tuberculosis in Gold Rush, Victoria, Australia: An Archival Approach to Answering Questions around the Osteological Paradox

This multidisciplinary paper presents an archival study of pulmonary and disseminated tuberculosis rates in children and adults, based on data from Registrar General Reports and hospital administration records in Victoria, Australia, from 1852 to 1916. The study examines how well disseminated forms of tuberculosis (as a proxy of tuberculosis impacting the skeleton) correlate with pulmonary tuberculosis rates during the economic and social changes of the gold rush and post-gold rush periods.

The findings suggest that tuberculosis-related skeletal lesions observed in the archaeological record are not a reliable proxy for overall disease prevalence and may even be inversely correlated. This relationship, however, appears to be disease-specific, as similar studies on syphilis from this population, do not show the same pattern.

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Paper 6: The Femur Knows “Horse Breeders”: Immigrants from Korea During Mid-Kofun Period as Technical Experts and their Social Status, in the Mino Region, Japan

In Japan, horses were brought from the Korean Peninsula and China around the 5th century during the mid-Kofun period. Breeders of horses also came to Japan with the horses. The horses were mainly bred by the breeder’s clans under the central government. The horses were given to local chiefs from the central government. A person who habitually rode horses had a uniquely developed pilaster of the femur. The femurs with this trait were often excavated from medium-sized burial mounds, rather than large-sized burial mounds. The size of the burial mounds within a region usually indicates the social status of the buried person.

The breeders had been often sent from the central government to the local chiefs. They established a solid position and took root in the community of the region. The femurs excavated from medium-sized burial mounds in the Mino region had the uniquely developed pilaster as the indicator of habitual horse riding.

In the Mino region from the late Kofun period, in particular, there are records of mass migrators from Korea who had high architectural technology. Those documents indicated that there was a foundation for accepting immigrants from Korea. We estimated the foundation could be the breeders.

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Paper 7: A Stressful Life During the Pre-Spanish Colonial Philippines: An Integrative Approach in Reconstructing an Individual’s Life History

This study investigates an individual from a Pre-Spanish Colonial site in the Philippines as a window to understand the health of past populations. This involves osteological and radiographic analyses of the human skeletal materials, stable isotope analysis, and mortuary analysis, as well as historical and ethnographical records to generate the life history of the individual. The sex and age-at-death estimation leans more to a nonadult female, and her diet suggests mixed marine/terrestrial economy. Although her dental health insinuates a relatively good health, she exhibits several pathological lesions indicative of nutritional and probable metabolic disease. The grave goods recovered from her burial also connote a high status in their community.

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Session Abstract:

In Ecuador, many contemporary anthropological voices advocating for decolonising agendas are still entrenched in Western academic frameworks. White and Mestizo scholars often dominate national and international conferences, speaking on the significance of ancestral heritage and the protection of Indigenous or rural cultural patrimony—often without involving the communities themselves in these discussions. This raises a critical question: What kind of decolonising agenda are we truly promoting? Contrasting these top-down approaches, this session highlights a series of archaeological research projects with direct involvement of Indigenous and rural communities across Ecuador. These communities, who live in direct interaction with pre-Hispanic and historical sites, are situated in the provinces of Carchi, Manabí, Tungurahua, and the Galápagos Islands. Each case stands for a distinct, multidisciplinary research process that emphasises community-driven archaeology, marked by unique challenges and successes. In this symposium, the voices of community members actively engaged in the preservation of their heritage will take centre stage, allowing them to share their perspectives, experiences, and ongoing efforts in person.

Paper 1: Community-based Archaeological Research in Coaque Valley (Manabí, Ecuador)

The town of Coaque, located in northern Manabí province, Ecuador, holds a significant yet tumultuous place in history as the first point of contact for the Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. This marked the beginning of widespread looting and pillaging of local resources, including emeralds, shells, and gold and silver artefacts from the region's chiefdoms. Looting has remained a persistent issue, with archaeological artefacts often openly sold during periods of economic hardship.

About a decade ago, a transformative collaboration began when local looters sought the guidance of archaeologists to establish a community museum. This partnership initiated profound changes, including:

1. A significant decrease in looting activities among locals.

2. The emergence of former looters as advocates for research and defenders of the region’s archaeological heritage.

3. The creation of a specialised local government office dedicated to the protection of archaeological sites.

This presentation argues that collaboration, education, and a community archaeology approach are essential to safeguarding archaeological heritage. By engaging local stakeholders in the preservation process, this case study demonstrates the potential for long-term cultural and environmental benefits in historically vulnerable regions.

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Paper 2: Textile Technology and Embroidery Inspired by the Archaeological Ancestors of the Salasaka People (Tungurahua, Ecuador)

Today, the designs and technologies of the archaeological Puruwá culture (2000 BC - 1420 AD) are preserved in Salasaka textiles woven on looms and embroideries. The Salasaka of today have inherited the designs and iconography of the archaeological Puruwaes, but assimilated the linguistic and cultural influence of the Inka Empire during the invasion of their territory in the 15th century. At first glance, one can see the kingu (zigzags) that represent the mountains, roads, rivers or agricultural terraces that make up the domesticated landscape represented by the embroidery. Among the figures on the blouses and trousers worn at festivities and sacred ceremonies, the double spiral, non-local wild animals and, in particular, a mythical two-headed bird, stand out. The embroiderers depict the Salasakas interacting with the animals and plants of the environment through the embroidery and weaving of shikra (traditional purses), chumbi (waist belts) and, above all, hand embroidery on lliklla (women's garments). It is worth mentioning that the dancer (tushuk) is the main allegory for solar festivals in the Andes. This paper compares the results of the archaeological and textile study with a mapping of the weavers and embroiderers in the community of Salasaka.

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Paper 3: Indigenous Archaeology Detached from Materiality and Seen from the Local Reality of the Chibuleo and Salasaka Communities (Tungurahua, Ecuador)

Tungurahua is a province named after the eponymous volcano, with its name meaning “throat of fire.” This province is home to four Indigenous Peoples: Chibuleo, Kisapincha, Salasaka, and Tomabela. Centuries of devaluation of the pre-Hispanic past have resulted in a significant affective detachment from ancient spaces and objects, such as archaeological sites. In Chibuleo, however, the community acknowledges the existence of the Pillahua site, which has been looted by its inhabitants for the purpose of illegal trade beyond the community. Ceramic vessels were the primary artefacts sold to White-mestizo collectors from Ambato at minimal prices. Although there is no documentary evidence to confirm this, it is believed that some of these artefacts are now displayed in museums within the city. A similar phenomenon occurred in Salasaka. Until the late 20th century, members of the community would relinquish ancient objects to White-mestizo individuals, contributing to private collections, or they would abandon these objects in open spaces. Recently, the Indigenous Peoples of Tungurahua have revalued archaeological sites and artefacts, which have become integral to their sacred ceremonies. The purpose of this paper is to propose an Indigenous archaeology that is detached from materialism and rooted in the local reality of these communities.

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Paper 4: Archaeology and Heritage Conservation of the 19th-Century El Progreso Plantation in the Galápagos Islands

In the early 1860s the Ecuadorian government issued permits for the exploitation of natural resources in the Galápagos Islands. An Ecuadorian family business secured the concession for San Cristóbal Island, where they established an industrial-scale plantation called El Progreso. Approximately 500 people of diverse origins lived and worked in the settlement. This town became the first successful permanent settlement in the archipelago. The company went bankrupt in the 1920s after the assassination of one of its owners. The foundations of the plantation’s main house were declared a national heritage site in the early 2000s. However, the industrial areas and the workers’ town were excluded from this heritage designation. In 2014, we initiated an archaeological research project aimed at exploring the daily lives of workers at the plantation. The results of this research inspired local authorities to reevaluate the original heritage designation and propose an act to protect all the material remains of the plantation, along with other historic sites in the archipelago. In this talk, we recount the direct collaboration between archaeologists and the local community in San Cristóbal, as well as the legal process that led to the approval of the new Heritage Protection Act for the Galápagos Islands.

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Paper 5: Community Archaeology and Rock Art: Integrating Local Ontologies and Educational Engagements in Chilmá Bajo (Carchi, Ecuador)

This research explores an educational initiative in Chilmá Bajo, an Indigenous Pasto community in Carchi, Ecuador, that aims to support children’s ontological engagements with their archaeological and non-human landscape. Based on the “educación en libertad” framework (Freile 1970) and Indigenous archaeology approaches (Atalay 2006), this project seeks to bridge local knowledge systems with archaeological interpretation. Specifically, we examine how children interact with and interpret the region's rock art sites, embedded within a broader ecological and cultural matrix. Children's narratives in Chilmá Bajo reveal how they interact with archaeological sites as living and relational entities, deeply intertwined with the familiar and material dimensions of their daily lives, challenging linear and anthropocentric historical views. These engagements illuminate a collective understanding of the Pasto past that transcends static heritage discourses, fostering a reciprocal connection between archaeology and living cultural practices. Ultimately, this work aims to empower the Chilmá Bajo community to incorporate their archaeological heritage into the construction of a contemporary Pasto identity. This presentation contributes to a growing body of scholarship on community-based archaeology and Indigenous epistemologies, advancing a decolonial praxis that prioritises cultural self-determination and intergenerational learning.

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Session Abstract:

This session seeks to explore how archaeological advocacy can increase awareness of climate change threats to global cultural heritage. It aligns with an evolving focus on archaeologists as advocates for archaeological resources and the information they hold. The archaeological focus on the study of the interaction between human social and cultural systems and climate and environment is a major contribution to global change studies, providing insight into sustainable approaches to the future. In addition, climate change has catalysed archaeologists to form partnerships with researchers from a wide range of geographic areas and disciplines, who all share the common experience of bearing witness to cultural heritage loss. Given the importance of advocacy for access to resources and governance to protect cultural heritage there is an urgent need to highlight the crucial role of archaeology and its potential in the understanding of climate change in the past as well as its impact in the present and the future beyond our professional networks to the general public via museums and education, as well as the media. Based on the experience gained from the human past about coping practices, the session solicits papers that will discuss ways to translate the archaeology of climate change into actionable science to inform decision making within a global framework of climate change action in the public, as well as in intergovernmental panels, agencies, and associations. A first step towards this goal, along with a call for interdisciplinary and international collaboration is the Kiel Statement (https://www.jma.uni-kiel.de/en/research-projects/sacc/sacc-statement-2021.pdf), which was endorsed by organisations such as the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA), and ICOMOS, the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), and the World Archaeological Congress (WAC). Such formal statements regarding the detrimental effects of climate change on cultural heritage resources provide action items for archaeologists and cultural resources managers to mitigate against these effects through innovative methodologies, alternative forms of preservation, and enhanced public engagement.

Paper 1: Expanding Organisational Outreach: The Evolution of the Society for American Archaeology Committee on Climate Change Strategies and Archaeological Resources

Since 2014, the Society for American Archaeology Committee on Climate Change Strategies and Archaeological Resources (CCSAR) has convened to advise the organisation on the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage. The committee formulated a statement for practice, policy, and education-focused actions that the organisation adopted in 2022. It also established working relationships with sister organisations in other countries and regions. Paper and poster sessions at the SAA Annual Meeting and publications by committee members ensure that research is shared widely. With the rapid intensification of climate change impacts, the committee’s work has evolved to be more interdisciplinary and engaged with communities most affected by the loss of cultural heritage. CCSAR collaborates with Tribal leadership and government practitioners to develop immersive experiences that emphasise the importance of bearing witness to cultural heritage loss. Designed to help practitioners translate global scale processes of climate change to a human scale, these activities expand the relevance of archaeology to a broader set of partners.

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Paper 2: Evolution of Agriculture and Pastoralism in Central Asia Under the Influence of the Holocene Indian Monsoon

The emergence and development of agro-pastoral economies in Central Asia exerted pivotal influences on the trans-Eurasian diffusion of wheat-based agriculture and mobile pastoralism across East Asia, South Asia, and North Asia. Through integrated analyses of paleoenvironmental proxies, archaeobotanical data, and zooarchaeological evidence from four key sites (Toda Cave, Sapalli, Dajarkudan, Molleli), this study investigates the co-evolution of agro-pastoral systems and the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) civilisation. Multidisciplinary analyses demonstrate that: Proto-agro-pastoral communities emerged in Central Asian foothill-steppe ecotones by 9000 cal BP, engaging in seasonal transhumance and early cultivation practices. The BMAC civilisation reached its zenith during 4200–3900 cal BP (AMS 14C-dated stratigraphy), followed by progressive decline post-3900 cal BP, temporally correlated with the 4.2 ka climatic anomaly. Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) dynamics during the Early-Mid Holocene governed southern Central Asia's ecological thresholds, inducing precipitation reduction and C4 plant dominance decline, thereby restructuring agro-pastoral settlement patterns.

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Paper 3: Barriers to Inclusive Archaeological Engagement with Climate Change: Critical Reflections on Practice and Discourse

In recent years, archaeology’s engagement with climate change has deepened through increasingly sophisticated applications of natural scientific techniques for environmental reconstruction. While these developments have advanced our understanding of past human-environment interactions, they have also unintentionally contributed to a growing sense of exclusion among archaeologists from diverse backgrounds. This paper critically examines the structural and discursive effects that prevent archaeology from becoming a genuinely open and inclusive space for climate-related commitments and practices. Three interrelated issues are explored: (1) the dominance of high-cost, specialist-driven methodologies that marginalise scholars without access to advanced infrastructure or funding; (2) the increasingly technical and elitist tone of discussions, which can alienate practitioners grounded in different traditions or theoretical perspectives; and (3) excessive specialisation and localism, which hinder the sharing of insights and strategies across regions and subfields. Drawing on both institutional and personal observations, the paper argues for a more reflexive, pluralistic, and accessible archaeology of climate change—one that enables broader participation, values multiple ways of knowing, and fosters cross-cultural dialogue. By addressing these barriers, the discipline can more effectively mobilise its collective expertise to confront the global challenges of climate change.

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Paper 4: Leading the Change in Europe: Heritage and Archaeology Research in Times of Climate Change

The outset of modern European cultural heritage management and thus the basis for research of material remains of past lives is the Valletta Treaty of 1992. The treaty was leading to a change in our understanding of archaeological excavation as the only way to preserve the past and, instead, that we should try and preserve some of these non-renewable resources for future generations, preferably in situ. However, when the treaty was written, nobody thought about the rapid increase of environmental impacts on archaeological preservation, and certainly not about the impacts of climate change. Global environmental changes require interdisciplinary research and international collaborations to find solutions that may enable continued heritage preservation for future generations on a global scale. The paper discusses examples of such international collaborations in Europe ranging from archaeological research and heritage management projects to policies and principles of professional and non-profit organisations as well as outreach to the public via museums and the media. We will also highlight the importance of teaching the future public stakeholders in the classrooms and of training the next generation of archaeologists, heritage managers, and museum professionals about the impacts of climate change to our global heritage.

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Paper 5: Amazon Revealed: Using Archaeology to Protect Threatened Areas in the Amazon

Large-scale deforestation and agricultural expansion are the stronger activities contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases in Brazil. Since the 1980s, the Brazilian Amazon has lost almost 20% of its forests, mostly to cattle ranching. On the other hand, archaeology has shown in the last decades how Indigenous people have transformed nature and shaped the Amazon that we know today. The Amazon Revealed Project is LiDAR mapping archaeological sites located in areas covered by forests along the so-called deforestation arch in the southern Amazonian rim. Most of the flights are preceded by in situ consultations with communities who live in the surveyed areas. The presentation will show the preliminary results of our attempts to conciliate large-scale survey and local on the ground community research as tools to protect threatened territories in the Amazon.

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Session Abstract:

A decolonial approach to archaeology reflects on the power archaeologists maintain over historical epistemology, the damage Western archaeologists have caused to Indigenous and marginalised communities, and how the continued neglect of Indigenous agency perpetuates injustice. Recognising archaeology as inherently destructive and extractive, and that this methodology was inherited from the colonial era, what is our responsibility to compensate for the archaeologists from whom we have inherited the discipline? How may we navigate forming such an ethical approach which centres the communities being studied? Is equitable knowledge co-creation and exchange feasible, and how might it be achieved? For archaeologists with European ancestry working in the Global South, especially, what does it mean to be an ally to the communities you work with? For archaeologists coming from underrepresented backgrounds in the field, what is the allyship you have seen or still need to see, and how does it manifest itself in decolonial approaches to archaeological methodologies? This proposed session is intended to be more optimistic than daunting, as we have the opportunity to challenge ourselves to consider what is most ethical and inclusive, rather than what is simply possible.

Paper 1: The Bones are Speaking

Museums can influence the present by presenting new narratives, proactively dealing with colonial legacies in order for narratives to be transformed and for fundamental change to take place. Museums need to be bold enough to act accordingly and stay firm in their resolve to right the wrongs of the past by being truthful.

Communities need to know where their people are and justice needs to be restored through having the Sacred Ancestral Remains finally interred and the souls of those who’s ancestral remains continue to be in museums, finally rest in peace and not in pieces.

This paper will focus on the sacred ancestral remains of the South African Indigenous Khoe and San peoples who are currently housed in the Iziko Museums of South Africa, drawing on the field of archaeology, and showing how this extractive science can be used today to reconcile, restore, and bring healing to affected communities. 

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Paper 2: What is World Archaeology? From World Archaeology to Doing Archaeology with the World

The history of World Archaeology is fascinating. Often global archaeology is characterised as a totalising enterprise, seeking to extend the colonial project. However, there is another story behind the origins of World Archaeology, this paper explores the activist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and anti-fascist origins of ‘World Archaeology’. I explore the historical and historiographical origins of the World Archaeology Congress, and work towards developing this further as a method for ‘Doing Archaeology with the World’. I will explore this through a set of key case studies from the Asia-Pacific and around the world. Ultimately, the goal of World Archaeology is not merely to interpret the world, it is to change it!

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Paper 3: Nalaquq/It is Found: Protecting Heritage and Co-Creating Knowledge With Technology in Southwest Alaska

Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim Delta is the homeland of the Yup’ik people. To survive in this often climatically-harsh environment, pre-contact Yupiit established a set of survival rules and strategies known collectively as Yuuyaraq (trans. ‘The Way We Genuinely Live’), which is still practiced to this day by descendent communities. One such community is Quinhagak, on the Bering Sea. In the face of a rapidly warming climate, they are proactively taking steps to ensure their community continues to survive and thrive, just as their ancestors did at the famed archaeological site of Nunalleq, an ancestral village occupied during the Little Ice Age. In 2021, Quinhagak worked closely with outside researchers to found a for-profit spatial technology company in the village called Nalaquq (trans. “it is found”) LLC, with the goal of carrying out research to protect Yup’ik heritage landscapes, and mitigate the effects of climate change on the village and neighbouring communities.

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Paper 4: Benchmarking as Bias: Expertise, Consultancy Culture, and Technocratic Heritage Making in the Arabian Peninsula

In the Arabian Peninsula, large-scale heritage productions are typically operationalised via an entrenched consultancy culture indebted to foreign expertise and embedded in Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ global political and economic relations. Rhetorics of 'community' development, capacity building, institutional partnership, and cultural diplomacy increasingly rationalise this system of cultural production, framed as equitable between nation states. Yet much of the opportunities, results, and value which flow from it skew toward North Atlantic institutions and international experts at the expense of national and local institutions and professionals, purportedly the recipients of 'sustainable' development. Reflecting on this widespread system of practice, this paper uses the revitalised anthropological perspective of studying up and 15 years of regional engagement to reexamine how the everyday work of cultural experts continues to produce extractive effects at odds with ethical norms for equity and inclusion. Anthropological attention to processes of technocratic heritage making reinforces benchmarking as a key moment influencing the quality of outcomes and impact as well as their relevance to the societies to which they aim to contribute. Examining critical junctures in archaeological project development provides necessary critique, but also reinforces an agentive perspective necessary to identify and act on loci with potential for transformative change.

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Paper 5: Considering Our Future Heritage: Repatriation, Allyship, and Navigating International Legal Frameworks

Archaeology is fraught with the colonial legacy of perpetuating a status quo of inadequate cultural stewardship in the Global South. To combat the legacy of colonial oppression, archaeologists must engage in work that is pointedly Indigenised and decolonial. As archaeologists, we must support cultural stewardship institutions and Indigenous representation within them. We must be reflexive, centre Indigenous representation, and engage in allyship through facilitating the repatriation of Indigenous ancestors and cultural items. Archaeological allyship requires using our collective access to colonial museums, connections within major research institutions, and public/private partnerships to create ethical frameworks that centre culturally affiliated communities. This includes our familiarisation with legislation like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Building Our Loss and Damage to advance Indigenous control of Indigenous heritage. We intend to engage the wider discipline in critical thought and consider this responsibility moving forward.

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Session Abstract:

In an era of profound ethical dilemmas, driven by advancing geo- and climate-political changes that promise to bring even greater challenges, we, as an archaeological community, must confront our expanding scientific and societal responsibilities.

WAC´s core ethical values of socially responsible archaeological practice are now under attack by increasing nationalism and polarisation, normalisation of extremism, geopolitical conflict, and militarism at a global scale. There is an urgent need to revitalise the CoE to support stronger engagement with the ethical dimensions of archaeological practice.

WAC´s Standing Committee on Ethics (CoE) upholds WAC’s mission as a global network connecting archaeologists and those affected by archaeological practices, policies, and ideas. This session aims to revitalise the CoE and take the lead in initiating critical discussions and asserting ethical positioning, both within WAC and our discipline, while also engaging in the wider public discourse.

To fulfill this role effectively, the Roundtable aims to engage in the following discussions:

1. What are the core responsibilities and mandates of the Ethics Committee? How can we actively involve and engage the WAC community?

2. How best should we present ourselves publicly? How can we effectively communicate our ethical discourse beyond WAC?

3. How and to what extent should we collaborate with external organisations?

Session Abstract:

As we know, scientific practice has been conceived and practiced for much of our history by white men. Even after the feminist conquest that culminated in the participation of female archaeologists in institutions, laboratories and field practices, we still have inequality in positions of power and in the theoretical-methodological references that guide both field and laboratory practice, as well as their interpretations, further aggravated by the intersectionalities of race, class and heteroidentification. This bias ends up maintaining a partial perspective of our understanding of the world and the societies with whom we interact and with which we jointly seek to build knowledge. In this session, we would like to gather examples from the Global South that can help us reflect on how the relationships established between women in scientific practice, whether in theoretical-methodological formulation or research issues, or in the particular relationship they establish with female spheres in local communities, or in the interpretation of data, have repercussions on the knowledge of how non-hegemonic societies, Indigenous peoples, quilombolas, and many others in the Global South, are represented in historical, archaeological and anthropological discourse.

Paper 1: Ancestors in Stone Bodies. Reflections on the Management of Heritage and the Role of the Yanakuna Community of San Agustín (Huila, Colombia)

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Paper 2: Petroglyphs, Memory and Misak Sacred Territory: A View from Ancestral Knowledge

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Paper 3: Oral History and Current Social Dynamics from the Perspective of Sexual Diversity in Northern Cauca, Colombia

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Paper 4: Gender Representation in the Statues of Alto Magdalena (Colombia): A Feminist Reading of the Archaeological Discourse

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Paper 5: Is There a Feminist Breakthrough in Argentine Archaeology?

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Paper 6: Weaving Bonds, Ancestral Knowledge and Archaeology in Mendoza, Argentina

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Paper 7: [Among]Women: Intersections and Challenges of Collaborative Experiences Among Women

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Paper 8: Conversaciones Realmente Incómodas: Estrategias de Subsistencia de las Mujeres Arqueólogas en el Chile Neoliberal

Truly Uncomfortable Conversations: Subsistence Strategies of Women Archaeologists in Neoliberal Chile

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Paper 9: Other Voices to Deconstruct Archaeological Performance in Uruguay

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Session Abstract:

Centring Indigenous knowledges and ways of working is fundamental to ensuring ethical practice and research in archaeology and cultural heritage. While archaeologists have made progress in this space, there is still much room for improvement. This session aims to highlight the many ways archaeologists can be more ethical and open to incorporating Indigenous knowledges and ways of doing in their cultural heritage work, whether it be through practice or research. The session will focus on projects that are Indigenous led and/or formed through genuine collaborative partnerships that are mutually beneficial. It will seek to explore ways that Indigenous knowledge is centred that is not extractive, including Indigenous rights to have agency over their knowledges and cultural heritage. This session shares papers on intangible heritage, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), oral histories, applied archaeology, museum collections and also perspectives on best practice, heritage legislation, shared benefit agreements and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights.

This session will focus on projects or stories that place an emphasis on Indigenous knowledges and ways of working. Presenters will either need to be Indigenous, or have permission from the community that they are working with, and ideally co-present with their Indigenous partners.

Paper 1: Aboriginal Knowledges and Megafauna: The Limitations of Western Ideologies and How They Have Influenced the Megafauna Debate

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Paper 2: Engaging Collections: Libetshu in the Nicolaas Jacobus van Warmelo Collection, Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History, South Africa

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Paper 3: Indigenous Knowledge Transmission and the Co-Production of Archaeological Research: Wānaka in Aotearoa New Zealand

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Paper 4: Archaeology as a Tool for Kaitiakitanga

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Paper 5: Yagara Biocultural Knowledge of Culturally Modified Trees in Southeast Queensland, Australia

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Paper 6: Anishinabe Odjibikan: An Indigenous Archaeological Field School in Canada’s National Capital

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Paper 7: Archaeological Science has an Indigenous Future

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Paper 8: Indigenous Knowledge and Digital Archaeology on Injalak Hill, Northern Territory, Australia

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Paper 9: Rethinking Approaches to Cultural Heritage: Weaving Archaeology, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and Returning Murrups (Spirits), An Example from Dja Dja Wurrung Djandak (Country), Victoria

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Paper 10: Echoes of the Past: Drowned Forests and Cultural Connections in Inundated Coastal Landscapes

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Paper 11: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices in Arunachal Pradesh: A Few Case Studies

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Paper 12: Kaitiakitanga and Archaeology: Codesigning Indigenous Community Responses to Eroding Coastal Archaeological Sites in Aotea, Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand

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Paper 13: Five Years On: The Cultural Values and Significance Assessment of the Seaford Wetlands

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Paper 14: Weaving Our Knowledge Together: Community-centred Cultural Heritage Research on Broughton Island, NSW, Australia

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Paper 15: Rock Art and Cultural Heritage in Balnggarrawarra Country, Cape York Peninsula, Northeast Australia

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Paper 16: Archives in Bark: The Intertwining of Narrative and Carvings on Boab Trees Across the Kimberley, WA

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Session Abstract:

Asia has been an entrepôt of tradition and continuity since time immemorial. Be it the third millennium BC India (the pre-Harappan Mehrgarh culture) or second millennium BCE China (Shang dynasty known for their advances in math, astronomy, and artwork) or the second-first millennium BC Southeast Asia (Ban Chiang of Thailand and Dong Son cultures of Vietnam featuring high-quality bronze culture), Asian communities have displayed both continuity and frequent innovations and changes in the socio-cultural behaviour of the peoples. Festivities and rituals reflect this phenomenon in all major cultures of Asia. The same is true for the expansion of mind and philosophy. The icons discovered in the Harappan civilisation depicting the pose of meditation became yoga and enriched the genre of yogic postures. Experimenting minds refined the elegant bronze artifices in China without losing the fervour of ‘beginners’ (using piece moulds rather than the lost wax method). This process of change and continuity, however, reflects other directions too. The decay of tangible and intangible heritage is also sadly noticeable. There are attempts to protect ancient cultures, customs and legacies. This panel intends to delve into this amalgamation of continuity and innovation in the sociocultural fabric of Asia’s past, as well as the loss of cultural traits.

Paper 1: Cultural Erosion in the Kalash Community in Pakistan: The Impact of Modernisation and Religious Conversion

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Paper 2: The Continuity of Buddhist Music Traditions in The Classical Music of Thailand

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Paper 3: Ritual Jades of Sanxingdui: Unveiling the Cross-cultural Interaction and Innovative Integration of Chinese Bronze Age Civilisations

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Paper 4: Buddhist Wat Complex in Thai Society: An Anthropological Study in its Social Role vis à vis Modernity

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Paper 5: Flutes in Ancient Ascetic Practices at Mount Watukaru Bali: A Symbolic Analysis in the Context of Wisdom and Healing

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Paper 6: The Jaulian Monastery: Archaeological Insights into Buddhist Monastic Life in Taxila

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Paper 7: The Impact of Temples in Tamil Nadu on Socio-cultural and Environment Perspectives: A Special Reference to the Temple Abathsahyeshwarar, Thukkachi Village, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India

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Paper 8: Empowered Voices: Exploring Ancient Women's Patronage in Aesthetics and Writing Through 3rd Century BCE to 1st Century CE Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

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Paper 9: Unveiling the Significance of Hero Stones in Tamil Nadu

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Paper 10: Rituals of Transition: Understanding Death Rites and Their Socio-Cultural Evolution in India

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Paper 11: Custodians of Heritage: Folk Culture's Role in Sustaining Collective Memory through Rituals and Beliefs in Ancient India

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Session Abstract:

Buddhist paintings have been a common and recurrent medium among all Buddhist communities for presenting Buddhist ideas and concepts. Buddhist paintings refer to works of art that depict various themes, including representations of the Buddha, episodes from the life of Buddha, Jataka stories, revered figures in Buddhism, divine beings, symbols, decorative motifs, and other subjects related to Buddhism. They are often found in specific contexts, such as shrines, monasteries, and manuscripts, as well as on decorative materials like cloth and wooden objects. This medium is of particular significance in studying Buddhist art, as it links the Buddhist philosophies and the society that produces and interacts with them. Indeed, Buddhist paintings can be analysed through two primary lenses: first, by examining how contemporary societies are reflected in the paintings (society in Buddhist art), and second, by exploring the role these paintings played within those societies (Buddhist art in society). These dual perspectives broaden the scope of studying societies influenced by Buddhism, allowing for diverse theoretical and methodological frameworks. Such studies adopt an interdisciplinary approach, intersecting with archaeology, art history, Buddhist studies, anthropology, and related disciplines. These inquiries may encompass temporal and spatial diversity, reflecting distinct cultural contexts across Buddhist societies worldwide. This session invites original scholarly contributions that explore the dynamic interplay between Buddhist paintings and society in regions including, but not limited to, India, China, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka, encompassing the varied doctrines of Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna Buddhism. By bringing together experts in the field, the session aims to encourage discussions on how societies can be studied and understood through the lens of Buddhist paintings, deepening our understanding of Buddhist art’s societal and cultural dimensions.

Paper 1: A Study of the Temple Painting ‘Mahadana Situwarayage Kathawa’ (The Story of Mahadana Sitano) at Kataluwa Purwarama Temple in the Galle District, Sri Lanka

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Paper 2: On the Artistic Style and Developmental Changes of Statues in the Northern Dynasties at Maijishan Grottoes

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Paper 3: An Analytical Study of How Sri Lankan Artists have Depicted the Daughters of Mara in Buddhist Temple Paintings

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Paper 4: Hariharihari Vāhana Lokeśvara: Popular Theme of Murals of Kathmandu Valley

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Paper 5: The Expressive Power of Paintings at Buddhist Vihara in Sri Lanka: Special Reference to the Solosmasthana Paintings Belonging to the Kandyan Tradition

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Paper 6: Art and Devotion in Medieval Sri Lanka: Buddhist Murals of the Tivanka Image House and their Socioreligious Context

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Paper 7: Gender, Music, and Symbolism in Kandyan era Temple Frescoes: A Study of the Female Musician Figure in the Mulkirigala Temple Frescoes

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Paper 8: The Educational, Cultural, and Social Influence of Jataka Katha Paintings at Rathnapura Pothgul Rajamaha Viharaya

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Paper 9: Societal Reflections in Buddhist Art: Contemporary Norms and Values in the Murals of Dowa Raja Maha Vihara

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Paper 10: Depictions of Flora and Fauna in the Mulkirigala Image House Paintings: Insights into Contemporary Environment and Culture

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Paper 11: The Evolution of Buddhist Temple Paintings in Sri Lanka: Visual Transitions and Societal Reflections from the Kandy Period to the Colonial Era

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Paper 12: A Study of the Popular Image of the Shanmukha Kataragama Deity in Sri Lankan Society Based on Buddhist Temple Paintings from the 18th-19th Centuries

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Session Abstract:

Since MIS 5e, when eustatic sea level was last similar to present conditions, global ice volume has fluctuated significantly, reaching its extent at the end of the last glacial maximum (LGM) circa 20,000 years ago. During this 100,000-year period, sea levels were substantially lower than they are today and large swathes of previously inundated land were exposed. This coincides with significant dispersals of anatomically modern Homo sapiens across the globe. The movement of peoples would have been facilitated by these exposed terrestrial environments, offering migration pathways and evolving, coastal habitats. With the current reduction in global ice volumes, sea levels have inundated approximately 20 million square km of cultural landscapes since the LGM. These now-submerged cultural environments would have been inhabited for millennia. Such a massive inundation challenges our ability to address the timing and nature of some of the most significant migrations and dispersals in human history. In some cases the archaeological record is truncated, leaving researchers no choice but to investigate these drowned places. As archaeologists and scientists have begun to acknowledge this, the past decades have seen an increase in research focused on submerged palaeolandscapes. Worldwide, social scientists are collaborating with marine and geoscience disciplines to understand the history of the vast submerged palaeolandscapes integral to our understanding of human cultures around the world. 

Paper 1: Research Advancements on the Submerged Cultural Landscapes of the Eastern Pacific Rim

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Paper 2: Occurrence and Preservation of Tangible Heritage: A Western Scientific Approach to Submerged Palaeolandscapes

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Paper 3: Findings from Florida: Perspectives on Submerged Landscape Research from the Epicentre of the Discipline in North America

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Paper 4: Advancements for Understanding Landscape Preservation on the North American Outer Continental Shelf

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Paper 5: The Potential Use of the Argentine Continental Shelf During the Human Colonisation of Southern South America

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Paper 6: Climate Change and the Revelation of Palaeolandscapes in the South American Lowlands: A Debate on the Ponta das Lajes Archaeological Site, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

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Paper 7: Echoes of Land and Sea: A Geoarchaeological Exploration of Submerged Palaeolandscapes at Isla Espíritu Santo, Mexico

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Paper 8: Subsistence of Submerged Cave Dwellers of Song Toyapakeh at Nusa Penida, Bali, Based on Archaeological Remains

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Paper 9: The Crossing of Bass Strait and Underwater Cultural Heritage

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Paper 10: Sunda man

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Paper 11: Braided Knowledge Systems and Palaeochannels: Ground Modelling, Archaeological Research, Intangible Cultural Landscapes, and Challenges for Submerged Palaeolandscapes Research Within Offshore Development in Australia

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Paper 12: Recent Developments from the Submerged Cultural Landscape of Murujuga Sea Country, Northwest Shelf (Dampier Archipelago), Western Australia

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Paper 13: Modelling the Archaeological Potential of Palaeolandscapes in Torres Strait, Australia

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Paper 14: Seabed Mapping and Documenting of Underwater Features in the Area of Sozopol Peninsula, South Bulgarian Coast

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Paper 15: Bridging Disciplines: Exploring Submerged Late Pleistocene Landscapes and Human Adaptations Along the European Atlantic Coast

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Paper 16: Life On the Edge: Innovative Approaches to Submerged Landscape Studies Across Multiple Cultural Landscapes and Marine Basins

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Paper 17: Beyond Submerged Landscapes: SUBNORDICA and the Next Generation of Research

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Paper 18: Discussant

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Session Abstract:

“Emblems on the Move” centres on understanding how symbols, iconography, and even specific motifs travelled across ancient trade networks, embedding cultural, religious, and political meanings within regions that may have been otherwise isolated from each other geographically. The idea of “Emblems on the Move” highlights symbols as cultural ambassadors, mapping the spread of ideologies, artistic influences, and human cognition, alongside the movement of goods and people. By tracing these symbols along ancient trade and communication routes, the session illuminates the intangible exchange that complemented material trade, showcasing how ideas and cultural practices were shared, transformed, and localised. In modern archaeological frameworks, symbolism has a major role and it became an attractive archaeological working space all over the world. 

The session focuses on the following areas:

1. Symbols as Cultural Currency. In ancient history, symbols were not just made for decoration purposes; they served as a type of cultural “currency” that carries meaning, identity, and often spiritual significance. This area explores how merchants, artisans, and monastic travellers carried these emblems as they moved through ancient networks, bringing distinctive symbols to new regions.

2. Trade Networks as Vectors of Symbolism. Ancient trade routes, such as the land routes (based on mountain ridges), maritime routes, and riverine (river or river valley) routes, ideas and ideologies. This explores interacts between diverse groups, including traders, religious missionaries, and local communities. For example, the Indian ancient trade route carried the message of Buddhism and Jainism all around India.

3. Artefacts as the Base of Symbols and Ideologies. Artefacts are the major actors of ancient symbolic systems. Those carried all the cognitive historicity of human nature, such as behavioural patterns and peoples’ beliefs and activities.

4. Cross-Comparative Analysis with Other Ancient Civilisations. A comparative approach would allow for the analysis of symbolic exchange beyond a single cultural context. Examining the parallels in how symbolic systems spread across trade routes from the prehistoric era and also the Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Chinese civilisation, Egyptian civilisation, Greece, and the Roman Empire offers insights into universal patterns of cross-cultural symbolism. This analysis could reveal how integrating symbols across different civilisations provided social cohesion, especially in multicultural trade hubs like Alexandria or ancient ports along the Arabian Peninsula.

The exploration of “Emblems on the Move” could provide a profound understanding of how symbols, as carriers of culture, adapted and thrived in diverse contexts, revealing the extent of interconnectedness and mutual influence across ancient civilisations.

Paper 1: Tracing the Spread of Symbolic Systems through Ancient Trade and Communication Routes

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Paper 2: Trade Network and Coinage Reflected Through Symbols – Fresh Evidence from Chandavaram, a Buddhist Centre in Andhradesa

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Paper 3: Narrative Inclusivity in Indian Art Through Symbolism: An Observation

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Paper 4: Iconoplastic Representations of Naga Muchalinda in the Art of Early Eastern Deccan (India) and Thailand: Interrogating its Linkages and Interactions

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Paper 5: Memories and Motifs: From Lyon to Lucknow, the La Martinére Symbology

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Paper 6: Bridging Civilisational Gaps: Emblem Symbols and Trade Networks between India and the World

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Paper 7: Sectarian Harmony in the Gupta Period: Insights from Emblems on Seals and Sealings Unearthed at Thanesar, Kurukshetra (Haryana)

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Paper 8: Monks, Merchants and Monasteries: Understanding the Dynamics of Buddhist Symbolic Systems through the Lens of Archaeology and Written Scrolls in the Ancient Gandhara and Greater Gandhara Region

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Paper 9: The Lion as a Symbol of Strength: A Cross-Cultural Study of Its Association with Warrior Goddesses

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Paper 10: The Rhythm of Change: Monsoon as a System of Symbolic Exchange Across the Indian Ocean

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Paper 11: Minted Emblems: Tracing Indo-Greek Symbolism Through Trade and Communication

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Paper 12: Maritime Trade Networks and Religion in Mobility

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Paper 13: Navigating History: An Ethnoarchaeological study of Traditional Wooden Boats of River Brahmaputra and Their Role in Trade, Warfare, and Cultural Exchange of South Asia from Antiquity to Modern Times

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Paper 14: Symbolic Confluences: Rock Art of Gilgit-Baltistan in the Context of Ancient Trade and Communication Network

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Paper 15: Studying the Concept of Some Symbols Based on Archaeological Discoveries of Gandhara

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Session Abstract:

The death of Colin Renfrew in December 2024 robbed archaeology of one of its intellectual titans. He was one of the first to recognise the significance of calibrated radiocarbon chronologies to generate new prehistories throughout the world. He pioneered new ways of thinking about the explanation of social and political change in the past, within and beyond the prehistoric Aegean that was his enduring passion. He demonstrated the power of archaeological theory and archaeological science working in tandem to enrich understanding of past societies, from dating to exchange systems to systems models to archaeogenetics. With characteristic energy and optimism he built collaborations with other disciplines to explore archaeological ‘intangibles’ like art, cognition and language. In deed and word he was one of the most effective advocates of the power of world archaeology to enrich people’s lives, and of calling out threats to it, such as the illicit antiquities market. The session will explore Colin Renfrew’s extraordinary contributions to the development of archaeological theory, method and synthesis and if and how they continue to impact on archaeological thinking and practice, in the knowledge that he revelled in robust debate and would certainly not have wanted an anodyne series of eulogies!

Paper 1: Introduction: Treading in Giant Footsteps

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Paper 2: The Emergence and the Kyklos: Colin Renfrew’s Aegean Longue Durée, 1962-2024

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Paper 3: Colin Renfrew and Early Markets

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Paper 4: Tools of the Trade: Colin Renfrew and Understanding Exchange

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Paper 5: Colin Renfrew and the (Ongoing) Radiocarbon Revolution 

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Paper 6: Colin Renfrew the Monument Man: Hail to the Chiefdom!

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Paper 7: “I Think We Ought to Go to Easter Island”: Colin Renfrew and Public Archaeology

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Paper 8: Colin Renfrew: The Social Archaeologist

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Paper 9: Colin Renfrew the Evolutionary Archaeologist 

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Paper 10: Colin Renfrew and the Archaeology/Language Debate

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Paper 11: Colin Renfrew and the Genetics Revolution

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Paper 12: Colin Renfrew and the Illicit Trade in Antiquities

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Paper 13: Colin Renfrew and the (Changing) Archaeology of Mind

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Paper 14: Colin Renfrew and the Archaeology of Art

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Paper 15: Never Backward in Coming Forward: Colin Renfrew as Influencer

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Session Abstract:
This session focuses on  the relationship between repatriation and peace-building, with particular attention paid to the role and value of dignity (however culturally defined) and the opportunity for production of dignified relationships that are just and decolonising in nature, through a repatriation process. There has been some scholarship on the relationship between repatriation and reconciliation, much of which is concerned with the connection between repatriation and healing (e.g. Hemming et al. 2020; Krmpotich 2014; Thornton 2002; Western Apache 2020). Wellbeing is an essential component of reconciliation and recent work draws upon research into cultural trauma, collective memory, and identity construction. There is emergent but much less work on the concept of dignity as an essential value in the repatriation process, and how the (re)establishment of dignified relationships, can be a driver of a transformation process inherent to peace-building, and which is sometimes embedded in handover ceremonies. This observation has been made by experienced community repatriation researchers and practitioners. In many ways, dignity and peace stand at the heart of the repatriation movement, although the repatriation community writ large has yet to explore what can be learned about repatriation when considered from these perspectives. This session invites original and reflective papers that can advance understanding of the relationship between Repatriation, Dignity, and Peace-building.

Paper 1: A Repatriation Partnership: Exploring the Repatriation Collaborations Between the Warlpiri Project and the AIATSIS Return of Cultural Heritage Program

Since 2019, the Warlpiri Project have collaborated with the AIATSIS Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) Program on three projects to return more than 47 significant items from the USA and Germany. These collaborations include our continued work to digitise material in the Human Ethology Archive at the Senckenberg Institute, Frankfurt.

In this paper, we aim to share the successes and challenges of these three projects and discus how each project has shaped our collaboration and relationship. We will demonstrate that the ways of working we’ve developed have supported Warlpiri led repatriation and for Warlpiri, AIATSIS and museums to gain from their involvement in research, repatriation projects and truth-telling.

The Warlpiri Project

The Warlpiri Project is led by the Warlpiri community to repatriate and reconnect Warlpiri people with their cultural heritage that has been displaced across museums, institutions and personal collections around the world. Our work to repatriate collections and research archival documentation supports a process of truth-telling and reunion between Warlpiri people, their families and cultural histories.

AIATSIS Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) Program

The AIATSIS RoCH Program facilitates the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material with Indigenous communities from international collecting institutions and private collectors.

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Paper 2: The Journey Home—The Repatriation of the Waikāretu Collection

In 2019, amateur collector Mr Al Mannering and his family returned a collection of taonga Māori (Māori artefacts) to their descendant community of Ngāti Tahinga of Waikato, New Zealand after possessing them for almost fifty years. This paper will be co-presented. Quinta Wilson is an Indigenous archaeologist who, for her Master’s dissertation, researched the effects of this repatriation event for her own people (Ngāti Tahinga) and interviewed the parties involved. Maree Mills (Ngāti Tuwharetoa) facilitated the repatriation as curator Māori at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery. The presenters explore the impetus for the return of the taonga and the enriching experience of relationship-building, knowledge-building and emotional connections and growth between people, taonga and ancestors that was ignited by their journey home.

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Paper 3: Repatriation and Peace-building 

This presentation considers the relationship between repatriation and peace-building, with particular attention paid to the role and value of dignity (however culturally defined) and the opportunity for production of dignified relationships that are just and decolonising in nature, through a repatriation process.   In many ways, restoring dignity and building peace (individual, intra-polity, and inter-polity) stands at the heart of the repatriation movement, although the repatriation community writ large has yet to deeply explore what can be learned about repatriation when considered from these perspectives, and how it may inform future repatriation work. This paper considers a range of observations made by repatriation practitioners internationally about repatriation and peace-building, and draws on recent work that sought to explore how ‘success’ can be defined in repatriation, and how best to achieve this in the years ahead.

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Session Abstract:
Despite shifts in society, technology, and environment, rock art has continued as an expressive medium in many regions, illustrating a remarkable continuity of cultural traditions. Indigenous groups in India, Australia, Africa, and North America maintain traditions of rock painting and engraving, connecting contemporary practices with ancient heritage. This continuity offers insights into cultural transmission and adaptation, where symbols, motifs, and narratives evolve but retain their links to early origins. The continuity of these themes over millennia suggests deeply rooted beliefs and practices. Rock art serves as a cultural bridge, linking ancient and contemporary societies. This session brings together scholars, researchers, students, Indigenous peoples, and others interested in rock art research, focusing on its antiquity, continuity, and cognitive and behavioural approaches.

Paper 1: Surveying the Landscape of Konkan Geoglyphs: Documentation, Antiquity and Correlation

The Indian subcontinent, with its very long coastline, has played a crucial role in the settlements of different species and populations from different periods, which can be understood by the different phases of archaeological records being identified. The coastal rim, which is believed to have been one of the major routes for the dispersal of the modern human population out of Africa and extending in the Indian subcontinent, following the Southern dispersal route theory suggests that dispersal and migration towards the South has been doubtful due to the paucity of substantial evidence. This paucity in the Konkan region is now being redressed by new evidence of geoglyphs and associated archaeological evidence found in the region. New evidence of lithic artefacts identified near these geoglyph sites, which typologically belong to the middle Palaeolithic and microlithic assemblage, gives an idea about human dispersal during different cultural phases in the region. This paper thus focuses on the prehistoric assemblage through lithic artefacts identified from geoglyphs sites which were earlier documented and identified in the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, to understand the diversity in tool production. Though these lithic artefacts are found through surface exposure and not from the stratified deposit, due to the absence of soil deposit on the plateau, these are the only archaeological remains found in the vicinity of these carvings. Thus, these can be correlated and considered as an archaeological continuity through different phases of Konkan.

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Paper 2: Animal Representations in the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh, India: Continuity, Transformation, and Cultural Significance from the Palaeolithic to the Historic Period

The rock art of Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, India, provides a unique record of the evolving significance of animals in human life from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Historic period. With over 750 rock shelters, Bhimbetka has more than 100 feature paintings that span nine phases grouped into three broad cultural periods: Mesolithic (Phases I–V), Chalcolithic (Phase VI), and Historic (Phases VII–IX). Scholars suggest that some paintings may date back to 40,000 BCE or earlier, marking Bhimbetka as one of South Asia's earliest repositories of art. Animal representations dominate the early phases, reflecting the critical role of wild fauna such as gaur, deer, elephants, and wild boars in the lives of hunter-gatherer communities. These depictions illustrate hunting, foraging, and ritualistic practices, showcasing the reliance on and reverence for animals during the Mesolithic period. In contrast, the Chalcolithic phase introduces scenes indicating domestication and the integration of animals into early agricultural practices, symbolising a transformative period in human-animal relationships. By the Historic period, the prominence of animal figures diminished, replaced by human-centric motifs such as processions, warriors, and religious symbols, reflecting the socio-cultural and spiritual shifts of a sedentary and increasingly organised civilisation. The stylistic overlap and layering of paintings across periods highlight continuity and changes in artistic and cultural expressions. This paper attempts to analyse the representation of animals across these phases and their significance in understanding the socio-economic, symbolic, and other roles animals played in human societies.

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Paper 3: The Legacy of East African Rock Art in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania: Visualising its Purpose and Meaning for Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Management

This paper surveys the author's field research for three decades in the Rift Valley of East Africa, known for its widespread distribution of geometric rock art whose figurative tradition is much more localised. Rock art with multiple styles reveals cattle herding communities and early hunter-gatherer societies, and rock art sites with red pigment bear elongated human figures connoting ancestral spirits. Rock art in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia has yet to be explored and researched. Pastoralist paintings dating between 3500 and 1500 years before the advent of the Bantus are scarce, but unique only for the Rift Valley, with no parallel and allied sites found in Southern Africa, with only a few known sites in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This paper discusses a blueprint for community conservation and management awareness programs, with the participation and education of the multifarious stakeholders in protecting the art ensuring the survival of the rock paintings for future generations. Sustainable protection and management have become mandatory. 

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Paper 4: Recently Explored Rock Art Sites from Domini Pahari in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh

The term rock art refers to images engraved or painted on natural rock surfaces, such as cave walls, and large boulders. Rock art, which dates back thousands of years ago, is one of the oldest forms of human expression and is found throughout the world. It is one of the most important sources for understanding the social, cultural and religious life of people. The present study area comes under the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Many scholars from different universities and institutions have extensively explored this area. Evidence from a large number of archaeological sites identified and explored in the region indicate that the Chandauli district witnessed a very long duration of human evolution, from Palaeolithic times to the present. Apart from these sites, a number of rock art sites are also located in Kaimur range of Chandauli. These rock shelters were painted by people belonging to different cultural stages of subsistence economy, from hunting-gathering to the beginning of agriculture, and up until modern times. The present paper is based on recent fieldwork and newly discovered rock art sites, known as Aamchua Pahari, Ghurhupur Pahari, Kaudihar khas, Dhannipur and Kapisha Pahari, that are located near Mubarakpur (local village name) in Chakiya block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh.

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Paper 5: Whispers of the Past: Hand Stencils in Indian Rock Art

Rock art is a visual art form with a rich historical tradition, and offers invaluable insights into human culture. Handprints, or the imprints of hands-on rock shelter walls using colours, come in various forms: positive, negative, stylised, and engraved. Predominantly executed in shades of red, orange and yellow, handprints represent a living tradition still practiced by certain communities in India. The widespread occurrence of these motifs across time and geography in numerous countries suggests their significant socio-ritualistic importance, likely involving shared aspects of creation and use. Hand and foot motifs, archetypal forms of rock art expression, exhibit global prevalence and a long-standing presence in the history of human artistic expression. Hand stencils are still practiced in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In Maharashtra, during the festival of ‘Pola’ (celebrating farmers), handprints are used to decorate the bulls. Similarly, during Govardhan Puja, celebrated during Diwali, handprints are applied to decorate cows, buffaloes, and oxen. Furthermore, in many parts of India, the bride's handprints are incorporated into wedding ceremonies. This paper focuses on analysing palm impressions observed at Indian rock art sites.

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Paper 6: A Rare Scene of Human Hematophagy in Rock Art of Kaimur, Uttar Pradesh, India

The act of killing a human for the purpose of a ritual and religious activity or as a part of belief system can be placed under the topic of human sacrifice. It used to be part of some societies and cultures throughout the world and generally acted for the welfare of communities by pleasing gods and goddesses. As a part of religious act, it wasn’t considered a murder or loss of life, although later it was condemned in many ancient scriptures. Now it is considered as an act of murder and totally banned. The present paper will discuss such a scene depicted in the rock shelter of Kauva-khoh, district Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. The scene not only depicts the killing, but also the drinking of blood from human heads by another human, which is called human hematophagy. The depiction is so clear even on the bare rock surface that some may shudder. The paper deals with local mythology, ethnography and literature to understand the meaning of this depiction and also studies the correlation of this depiction with other paintings in the same shelter.

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Paper 7: Rock Engravings on the Western Ghat of the Indian Subcontinent (Goa Petroglyphs)

India, a nation with footprints of prehistory and antiquity, continued until today. The best example of rock art is shown in Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. The huge cluster of more than 6214 motifs is painted in the 642 caves or shelters. Rock art in India is not only in painting form but can also be found on the plateaux of laterite in carving form where thousands of figurines have been carved, sculpted, scooped, bruised, and etched. The mesmerising designs of various fauna, humans, anthropomorphic figures, geometrical designs, signs, symbols, and mysterious figures tell prehistoric stories and historical eras. Those are truly like a library. The western ghat of the Indian subcontinent from Gujrat to Kerala has enormous rock carvings called petroglyphs or geoglyphs that are present and express thoughts, emotions, activities, and intellect. The way they depict X-ray figures, arrow wound marks on bulls, and mother goddesses delivering babies with placenta and child shows the combination of art, keen observation, and intellect. The difference is seen in the depiction of Goa’s petroglyph and the Konkan strip of Maharashtra.

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Paper 8: Rock Paintings of Hadoti Region, Rajasthan, India

Hadoti is the name of a region of south-eastern Rajasthan comprising the four districts of Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi. More than 100 rock shelters have been identified in the Hadoti region. Some of the notable sites are Chattaneshwar Mahadeva, Dara, Kapildhara, Kanyadah, Sorsan, Teepanya Mahadeva ghati, Aamgiri nala, Geparnath, Gadariya Mahadeva, Jawahar sagar dam, Chamari nala, Aamjhiri Nala, Kalaji kui, Singhanpur vikramkhol, Aamsiri, Kewaria, Hathiatol, Golpur, Jalindri, Bhimlat etc. Hunting scenes, dance scenes, animals like deer, ox, cow, dog, pig, buffalo, sheep-goat, lion, horse, and birds along with geometric designs, different types of flowers, different types of weapons, rivers, men and women, hand prints, etc. are depicted. Superimpositions are frequently found. These motifs and figures are made mostly in red ochre, while green, dark brown, black and white colours are also used.

Although lithic tools like Acheulean hand-axes, scrapers, cleavers, flakes, ostrich egg shells and microliths are found in the region, most of the rock paintings belong to the Mesolithic period. The tradition continued through the Chalcolithic to the historical period.

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Paper 9: Rock Art of North-Eastern Chhotanagpur Plateau—Some Selected Symbols

Rock art is the visual representation of the creative genius of our ancestors. It acts as a time capsule that embraces its makers' beliefs, techniques, technology, culture and society. It is a form of human expression (emotion) and cognition that has been carried out through generations. The study area lies in the Jamui Hill Ranges, located in the Jamui district of Bihar. The rock paintings found here are mainly comprised of geometric and non-geometric designs, animal figures, and some grid patterns and symbols. Santhal, Khairwar and Yadava are the prominent ethnic groups that live in the vicinity of the rock shelters and still practice the tradition of painting on their houses during the Sohrai festival. The rock art acts as a window into the symbolic world of past communities in the Chhotanagpur plateau region. This paper discusses the pictographs found in Jamui and examines the painted motifs, their compositions and their possible meanings through the help of ethnographic parallels. The research incorporates insights from tribal folklore, oral traditions, and anthropological studies to decode certain symbols and have an understanding of the broader cultural continuum.

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Paper 10: Tracing Cultural Landscapes: Evidence of Living Rock Art Tradition in Kadamakuttai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rock art, including pictographs, petroglyphs, and cupules, serves as a significant archaeological resource spanning from the Late Palaeolithic to the modern period, with a global distribution. These artistic expressions provide valuable insights into socio-economic conditions, subsistence patterns, regional environments, religious beliefs, wildlife interactions, and cultural symbolism.

This study focuses on the rock shelter in Kadamakuttai village, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, featuring an elephant painting in white pigment. Through archaeological exploration, detailed documentation of the rock painting, and ethnographic engagement with local communities, this research examines the relationship between people, culture, and the landscape. The investigation reveals that the rock shelter is situated along the migration route of elephants moving between the Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri forest ranges. Furthermore, the study highlights the connection between the living rock art tradition, elephant migration, and the local harvest festival, emphasising the enduring cultural significance of this rock art in the community.

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Paper 11: Unveiling the Past: The Recent Discovery of Rock Art in Palawan, Philippines

The recent discovery of rock art in Palawan, Philippines, represents a significant contribution to understanding the region's prehistoric cultural landscape. These ancient artworks, found in various caves across the island, provide invaluable insights into the symbolic and artistic expressions of early human societies in the Philippines. The pictographs showcases a rich blend of human figures, animals, and abstract motifs that offer a glimpse into the spiritual, social, and environmental interactions of prehistoric Filipinos. This discovery deepens our knowledge of the island's role in the broader context of Southeast Asian prehistory, emphasising the importance of Palawan as a centre of early human creativity and cultural development in the region.

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Paper 12: Pursuing Patterns in Paintings: A Multidimensional Approach to Understanding the Rock Art Record in the Central Narmada Valley, India

The Indian Subcontinent preserves a rich record of rock art in the form of engravings, etchings, bruisings and paintings found in diverse contexts such as rock shelters, caves, bedrock and open-air laterite surfaces. Although this record has been known for over a century, most studies have been restricted to the reporting of new sites and/or descriptions and counts of individual themes in the images. Very few studies have gone beyond these methods; exceptions include scientific analyses of archaeological pigments, studies of overlapping patterns and experimental replication of paintings, engravings and/or cupule marks. The present study focuses on the rich and dynamic rock art record of the central Narmada Valley, specifically along the front zones of the Vindhyan and Gondwana ranges of hills. We apply different analytical methods and attempt to identify potential patterns in dimensional, spatial, contextual and geographic attributes within the paintings. We also propose potential factors and explanations for the geographic locations of specific painting themes and styles in this region.

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Paper 13: Indian Rock Art: A Concise Study of the Bundi Region in Rajasthan

Rock art, found in numerous natural caves and rock shelters across India, is widely associated with Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic societies. The painted and engraved surfaces of caves, rocks, and boulders showcase a diverse range of themes and stylistic elements, making Indian rock art remarkable for its scale, vibrancy, and richness. One of the largest collections of rock paintings in India is located in Bundi, Rajasthan. These paintings depict various aspects of social, cultural, religious, and economic life, illustrating the continuous evolution of humankind. Rock Art depicts hunting, daily life of human as well as depictions of animals such as bison, deer, and tigers. Dating back approximately 15,000 years, these artworks provide substantial evidence of early human habitation in the Bundi region. There is evidence of ongoing artistic traditions among the tribal communities residing in Rajasthan’s forested areas, reflecting a connection to ancient rock art styles. These archaeological sites have been categorised chronologically based on the themes of the paintings found in different rock shelters, along with artefacts from the surrounding region. Given recent advancements in the scientific study of rock art in India and worldwide, this paper presents and analyses newly discovered rock art in the Bundi region.

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Paper 14: The Feminine and the Masculine in Indian Rock Art: Perspectives from Gender and Continuity

Indian rock art, particularly from Central India, portrays many feminine and masculine images.  These images or paintings depict various cultures in different contexts and settings.  Some unique motifs and engravings represent several different social roles and periods from the remote prehistory to the early historic times.  The themes, superimpositions, techniques of execution, colour schemes, use of space, location of the rock shelters and the paintings in them and the local environment all provide specific information about the feminine and masculine qualities and their interaction, co-dependence and evolution.  In this research, I would like to elucidate men's and women's roles in ancient societies across space and time, tracing the continuity and implications via the rock art.  Hunter-gatherers, pastoralists, horticulturalists, agriculturalists and the megalithic people had specific gender roles in their respective societies.  It is intriguing to locate several such pieces of evidence from the Indian rock art corpora strewn across the geographies.  Hunting-gathering, dancing, honey collection, worshipping, battling, food preparing and several other activities are some of the records of the division of labour, as evidenced by rock art.  Moreover, several engravings have recently been found in some regions of India that symbolise the sex-gender aspects among past societies that collectively practised and made such art.  Therefore, I envisage unravelling some of the complexities and attempting to provide a few clues to understand these paintings and engravings from a gendered perspective. 

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Paper 15: An Ethno-archaeological Perspective of Rock Art Tradition amongst the Central Indian Gond Community

The Upper Tapi Basin region in central India has revealed interesting evidence of rock art, where a number of engravings and paintings on rock shelters have been found on the panels of rock shelters with associated material culture. It has been observed that some symbolic traditions are continued in the Gond tribals of the Dharul Village, among which some ethnographic evidence has been observed inside the rock shelters. Information given by the head of the Gond tribe reveals that they used to worship some deities in a rock shelter every year after summer. The symbols found in rock-shelters bear much similarity with the one being done by the Gonds today named as ‘Godhani’, suggesting continuity in traditions. During the process of the depiction of this above mentioned symbol, these tribals continue a ritualistic process, which includes shamanism and some rural medical treatment at the end. The present paper focuses on the brief assessment of the current works and throws light on the recent findings of rock art and ritualistic tradition depicted on rock shelters by the Gond tribe of this region, as well as other associated findings in the Dharul village of Central India and its vicinity.

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Session Abstract:

Rock art is a complex, socially embedded window into the past, and often still connects to contemporary beliefs for Indigenous peoples. Detailed studies of the material culture in rock art have supported the development and re-evaluation of chronologies, provided insights into ritual aspects of the past on an international scale, as well as clarifying our understanding of how some types of objects intersect through all parts of life. However, to do these studies, a clear understanding of what the objects themselves are and how they connect to the rock art is needed. We invite papers that take a holistic approach to examining material culture in rock art for a nuanced understanding. In particular, those that explore broader questions and challenges in studying material culture in rock art, including working with Indigenous communities.

Paper 1: Material Culture in Egyptian Predynastic Rock Art: Considering Rock Art through Multiple Lines of Evidence

The stylistic analysis of rock art in relation to other forms of material culture has long been a valuable approach in archaeological research. In the Egyptian Predynastic context, this method is particularly useful, as multiple lines of evidence—ceramics, figurines, decorated artefacts, and relief-carved palettes—offer comparative material for establishing chronology, attribution and at times can contribute to theories on meaning. The rich corpus of Predynastic rock art shares motifs and stylistic elements with these artifacts, providing a basis for dating and contextualising rock art within broader cultural developments.

This paper explores the potential of stylistic comparison by examining key examples where rock art motifs parallel those found in other material culture. By tracing iconographic and compositional similarities, I assess the extent to which rock art can be integrated into the existing Predynastic chronological framework. Additionally, I consider the implications of these connections for understanding authorship, cultural transmission, and regional interaction. Given Egypt’s well-documented material record, this approach offers unique insights that may not be as readily available in other archaeological contexts. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary stylistic analysis for refining our understanding of rock art’s place within the broader material culture of early Egypt.

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Paper 2: Interpreting the Sky in Rock Art: A Preliminary Study of the Representation of Astronomical Objects in Rock Art in the Kisar Island, Indonesia

Celestial figures are becoming a new focus and challenges for archaeologists to explore global questions about the knowledge of astronomy in prehistoric rock art. Studies on celestial figures have been carried out in several regions in the world such as Europe, America, and Australia. In Indonesia, it remains scarce, necessitating for further investigation. This paper aims to provide a preliminary identification of rock art depictions with geometric-astronomical motifs in Kisar Island. A desk study was used to obtain rock art documentation data. This study is analytical-descriptive. In this study, we identified the shape, distribution, and colours of rock art motifs that are similar with celestial figures. The function of celestial figures will be explored through an ethnographic study of the communities of Kisar Island. Furthermore, we compare celestial figures and geometric shapes between rock art in Kisar and Sulawesi, and to broader the context, we also compare rock art in mainland Asia and Australia. The implications of this study are to understand the distribution of rock art with celestial figures and their similarity in colours, patterns, and environments in Sulawesi and Maluku and contributing to a deeper knowledge of the inter-connectedness between prehistoric societies and their mind to the cosmos.

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Paper 3: Material Culture in the Rock Art of Papua New Guinea

Globally, many early rock art sites do not come with ethnography. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), we can inform rock art through ethnography thereby bringing multiple perspectives on the interpretation of rock art. In particular, depictions of material culture in rock art are important to investigate and many motifs require multidisciplinary approaches for investigation. Here the material culture represented in the rock art of the Upper Karawari- Arafundi region in East Sepik Province, PNG is reviewed and presented. The material culture stencils identified includes bone ornaments, a variety of shell ornaments, a bilum and a steel bush knife – items that are connected to all aspects of life for local people. This overview indicates that a comprehensive analysis of these material culture themes through cognition, archaeological science, ethnography through Indigenous narratives and museum collections can provide fascinating insights into the social, cultural and environmental context of these objects, culture and its people.

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Paper 4: Weaving Evidence: Methods for Identifying Connections Between Ethnographic Collections and Rock Art in Northern Australia

Identifying material culture and things connected to it in the rock art can lead to better understandings of past and ongoing cultural practices, methods for doing this with Indigenous communities are continually being improved on. This paper explores methodologies for identifying interconnected things such as plants and fibre objects made from plants in the rock art of Northern Australia. These depictions show the ways that plants and fibre objects were used through time in the area, however artistic choices and traditions sometimes result in differences between the depictions and the ethnographic equivalents. Changes to the material culture used over time also mean that ethnographic collections do not always align with the rock art. These factors contribute to the challenges in identifying fibre objects and plants in the rock art but working across multiple sources of information helps to manage these issues. This paper explores the methodology for identifying connections between fibre objects and plant material through case studies from western Arnhem Land and the Kimberley.

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Session Abstract:

The food system is a complex phenomenon in human cultures, consisting of social, ecological, technological, and symbolic dimensions. Throughout the human past, multiple technologies and strategies have developed to exploit food resources more efficiently, often intricately woven into complex cultural systems. Thus, humans have interacted with their environment through the continuous interplay of subsistence dynamics and cultural complexes. Perhaps the earliest technology developed and applied in this direction was fire-based cooking, followed by grinding stones, cooking vessels, ceramic vessels, etc, giving various new dimensions to human culinary practices. This session seeks papers that examine multiple lines of information to understand the traditions of past foodways, primarily through the analysis of cooking tools and food residues, coupled with archaeozoological and archaeobotanical analyses. Moreover, it invites contributions grounded in the ‘food-getting strategies’ and ‘culinary practices’ of modern-day Indigenous peoples in tropical environments around the world. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

•        Insights about human-food entanglements.

•        The archaeological evidence related to cooking technology.

•        Food preparation techniques in human history.

•        Ethnoarchaeological studies on foodways traditions.

•        Intangible features related to Indigenous culinary practices and their socio-economic intricacies.

Finally, the session will focus on an interdisciplinary perspective to uncover ancient foodways traditions, so we look for fresh and cutting-edge ideas.

Paper 1:  Fire and Glaze: Biomolecular Insights into the Nonfood Roles of Plants in the Foodways of Prehistoric Southern Vietnam

Earthenware pottery from prehistoric settlement sites in Southern Vietnam were analysed for organic residues with technofunctional attributes to determine their usage and food contents. While organic residue analysis revealed the prominence of plants as food prepared and served on pottery, it also revealed other roles that plants played in the foodways of prehistoric Southern Vietnam. This presentation then details the findings on the possible sources of resinous slips for pottery manufacturing, firewood for cooking, and medicinal plants. These highlights the involvement of plants with the interactions of humans with their environment, fire-based cooking, pottery technology, and well-being at the intersection of craft production and culinary practice.

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Paper 2:  Understanding Dietary Resource Exploitation through Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis of Select Potteries from the Harappan settlement of Bagasra, Saurashtra, Gujarat

This study explores dietary resource exploitation at the small, walled Harappan settlement of Bagasra in Gujarat through lipid residue and compound-specific isotope analyses. By examining absorbed residues in Harappan and Anarta pottery, the research aims to understand vessel function and food processing techniques. Bagasra, strategically located on major Harappan trade routes, shows material cultural remains indicating active exchange with distant towns. Previous research focused on subsistence strategies, analysing faunal remains and biogenic isotopes in domestic animal tooth enamel to understand livestock management and pastoral land use. The current study builds on these findings, using C3 and C4 biomarkers and their ratios from compound-specific isotope analysis to identify plant and animal-based dietary resources processed and consumed at the site.

This research contributes to the understanding of subsistence dynamics at smaller Harappan commercial settlements, placing Bagasra within the broader socio-economic framework of urban Harappan centres in Gujarat. It highlights the importance of small-site archaeology in reconstructing ancient trade, diet, and food preparation practices, enhancing our knowledge of Harappan culture beyond large urban centres.

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Paper 3:  Animal Utilisation in Sibaltan: A Tropical Burial Site in Palawan, Philippines

Sibaltan village is located on the northeast coast of Palawan, Philippines. Two open-air archaeological sites were excavated in 2010 within the village: the Sibaltan Elementary School and the Acosta Property. Excavations uncovered dispersed human burials likely dating to what is locally known as the Metal period or more recently Complex Burial Traditions. This chrono-cultural attribution is based on combined evidence from OSL and TL dates and the presence of imported bead types and metal objects as grave goods. Animal use during this period in Palawan is poorly documented. In an attempt to address this, here we present the study of the faunal assemblage from the Sibaltan Elementary School site, including taxonomy, body-part representation, intentional and unintentional bone modifications and ZooMS analysis. Four mammal species have been identified: Canis familiaris, Sus ahoenobarbus, Hystrix pumila, and Dugong dugon, together with other less precise taxa (e.g., bovids, fish, mollusks). Wild pig seems to be the main source of food during this period. Animals were also used as pieces of personal adornment and as part of complex mortuary rituals.

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Paper 4:  Patria de Cebu (Philippines): Native and Non-native Animal Exploitation During Late Spanish Colonial Times in a Tropical Environment

This study investigates subsistence and animal exploitation practices during the late Spanish colonial period in the Philippines based on faunal remains recovered by the Patria Archaeological Project in Downtown Cebu. The Patria site used to house the former Palacio Episcopal (Bishop’s Palace), which was built in the 1830s and destroyed during World War II. Evidence shows consumption of primarily cattle, pig, and chicken during the occupation of the Palacio, with fish and deer remains recovered to a lesser extent, the latter of which is now extinct on the island. Few butchered water buffalo remains were retrieved from a layer predating the Palacio’s construction, possibly during earlier colonial times. Notably, a sub-complete skeleton of a juvenile, likely male, horse—an animal not native to the Philippines—was found in a pit contemporaneous with the Palacio’s occupation. In-situ and taphonomic observations suggest intentional post-mortem burial, hinting at the animal’s special treatment, though the reason for its early death remains unclear. No pre-Spanish material was recovered or documented during the excavations, emphasising the dominance of colonial settlement at the time. These findings give insights into mixed subsistence strategies and the introduction of non-native game during the Spanish colonial period of the tropical Philippines.

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Paper 5:  The Archaeology of Sugar Production in Taiwan: Past and Prospectives 

The archaeology of sugarcane and sugar production has been a thriving area of research in the Americas, but in Asia it remains significantly understudied, despite sugarcane's critical role as a global cash crop. This gap raises important questions about the socio-economic transformations driven by sugar production in Early Modern Asia and their broader implications. In this paper, I focus on Taiwan as a case study, exploring the Early Modern history of sugar production on the island alongside current archaeological evidence in Tainan Science Park. I propose research questions that challenge existing narratives, such as de-Orientalizing the Chinese diaspora, reevaluating The Great Divergence through the lens of sugar producers, and examining Indigenous survivance. Special focus should be on the social organisation and Zhisha wares consumption by the sugar producers. By addressing these questions, I aim to emphasise the importance of advancing sugar production studies in Asia and demonstrate their potential to reshape our understanding of global economic and cultural exchanges.

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Paper 6:  Food, Forms and Functions: An Ethnoarchaeological Inquiry to the Consilience of Craft Utilisation and Culinary Preferences in Central India

For the foodways tradition, the ingredients and culinary objects are interconnected components, and it is their complex interactions which result in countless dishes. This nexus is an eccentric facet of human society, reflecting both utilitarian practices and symbolic expressions, but has developed over a prolonged period of human-environment entanglement. The present paper explores how material culture associated with food systems suggests cognitive understanding by humans of the relationship between crafts and cuisine, which is intricately tied to their ecological knowledge. Employing an ethnoarchaeological approach, along with the theory of cultural materialism, this study investigates the contemporary practices of Indigenous groups of central India, mainly Gonds and Baigas, which reflect on their regional foodscape, culinary objects, gastronomical activities and ecological adaptations. In this way, the paper tries to understand the functionalities of culinary objects revealed from archaeological sites of the region, which contribute to comprehending the foodways tradition of the ancient dwellers of central India.

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Paper 7:  Salt, Trade, and Transformation: The Role of Pa `akai in the Shifting Hawaiian Landscape from Pre-Contact to the Early 20th Century

Pa `akai, or salt, is an integral part of Hawaiian culture. In both traditional and contemporary times, it has been used in religious, ceremonial, medicinal, and culinary contexts. This paper explores how the changes in the production and harvesting of pa `akai from pre-contact to the early 20th century mirrors the socioeconomic, political, and physical changes experienced across the Hawaiian landscape during these times.

Production of salt and sandalwood became the primary exports of Hawaii by the end of Kamehameha I’s reign in the early 1800s, and it would not be until the start of the 20th century that local industrial production would largely cease.

By using archaeological data from sites spanning the Hawaiian Islands as well as traditional moʻolelo (oral histories), primary accounts from early settlers, 19th century Hawaiian historians, as well as historical maps and drawings, this paper examines how changes in the harvesting technologies of this integral ingredient mirrors the larger changes in Hawaiian culture and history.

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Paper 8:  Dietary Practice of 3000 Years Old PGW Culture in India

India is one of the oldest continuous civilisations where traditional dietary practices emphasise combinations of grains, lentils, vegetables, dairy, spices, prebiotics and probiotics, and fats as per local, seasonal availability and are predominantly based on plant-based ingredients. However, the archaeological excavation at Kaserua Khera, Distt. Palwal, Haryana, has provided clear evidence that indicates dietary habits practiced by PGW-using peoples during the 1st millennium BCE. This evidence is in the form of archaeobotanical and archaeozoological remains collected from the site during excavation. Analysis of faunal remains from Kaserua Kheda revealed the presence of a broad array of species. The dominant remains in the faunal assemblage were domestic mammals, particularly cattle, although sheep, goat, pigs and horse were also found in good numbers. The preliminary results of these studies show that these animals were kept both for their secondary products and for their meat. 

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Paper 9:  Safeguarding Intangible Heritage: Traditional Practices for Storing Food Grains and Seeds of Bangladesh

The knowledge and skill of storing food grains and seed is a cultural heritage that has been practiced as an integral part of human civilisation and since the domestication of plants began in the Middle East 10000 years ago. Bangladesh's traditional agriculture has preserved the nation's fertility and biodiversity for generations, demonstrating its sustainability. For most countries, traditional practices for the storage of food grains and seeds are an essential part of their heritage, reflecting centuries-old knowledge and sustainable practices, and local food customs are important to society, since they are deeply ingrained in people's memory and constitute an important aspect of their culture. The seed holds both a real and metaphorical promise for the world. This study aims to explore the heritage of storing food grains and seeds and how it can contribute to addressing seed sovereignty and biodiversity. By documenting and analysing these traditional practices, the research also seeks to Identify the challenges of storing food grains and seeds and what needs to be done to safeguard and strengthen this practice.

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Paper 10:  Ancestral Tools, Timeless Traditions: The Role of Culinary Items in Bihar’s Tradition

Culinary tools are more than mere instruments of food preparation; they are deeply embedded in various societies’ cultural, ritual, and ritual practices. This study investigates the cultural and symbolic significance of traditional culinary items, such as grinding stones, utensils, and kitchenware in Bihari traditions. For instance, the sil-batta (grinding stone) is not only used for preparing spices, but also plays a crucial role in wedding rituals. During the Paricchanvan ceremony of the wedding, the batta holds special ceremonial significance. It is considered a symbol of strength, stability, and ancestral blessings, representing the foundation of a prosperous married life. Elder women of the family cast off the evil eye from the bride or groom using the batta and invoke protective energies. The batta is not merely a culinary tool, but an object that connects generations through ritual. This study is based on interviews with elders and community members to understand how these tools are revered and the rituals and myths associated with their use. It provides insights into the intergenerational transmission of beliefs and practices, revealing the ritualistic and cultural dimensions of culinary tools. The findings highlight the pivotal role of these tools in religious ceremonies, marriage customs, and folksongs.

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Paper 11:  Innovation in Cooking Technology and Food Systems in the Harappan Civilisation: Archaeological Insights into Material Culture and Foodways Tradition

This study explores the food preparation techniques and culinary innovations in Rakhigarhi, one of the largest urban centres of the Harappan Civilisation, located in present-day Haryana, India. Through an analysis of specialised cooking tools, fire altars, and ceramic assemblages, this study highlights advanced food processing strategies tailored to local agricultural yields. Notably, recent excavations have suggested the use of dual-function grinding implements that combined food processing with ritualistic purposes, revealing a unique interplay between subsistence and symbolic practices.

Residue analysis of ceramic vessels uncovered at Rakhigarhi revealed traces of millet, pulses, and oilseeds, indicating a diverse diet that incorporated regionally adapted crops. A key innovation identified was the evidence of pit-hearth baking systems optimised for long-duration cooking, suggesting the preparation of fermented and slow-cooked meals suited for communal consumption.

This study also presents evidence of seasonal food storage strategies, as indicated by granary layouts and microfossil analyses, reflecting the community’s ability to adapt to climatic fluctuations. By focusing on localised material culture and its impact on foodways, this research offers new insights into how Rakhigarhi's food systems sustain its population and reinforce social cohesion.

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Paper 12:  A Taste of the Cloud Forest. Use and Trade of Vanilla in Oaxaca, Mexico from the pre-Hispanic Period to the 18th Century

Mexico, rich in cultural and gastronomic traditions, has contributed to the planet different agricultural products, such as tomatoes, which are currently the basis of many foods in different countries around the world. There is also cocoa, which although its origin is in Ecuador, this plant had a great boom in Mesoamerica and was sacralised among the different native groups thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans. The cocoa drink was accompanied by other plants, such as vanilla, which, over the years, became a flavouring tasted around the world since the beginning of the 17th century. The objective of this presentation is to focus on the production of vanilla from Oaxaca, since the end of the pre-Hispanic period and its reintroduction into the commercial export circuit to Spain in the 18th century, and how Indigenous knowledge was fundamental for its benefit.

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Session Abstract: 

Archaeogaming, the integration of archaeology and gaming, offers a novel approach, engaging both the public and professionals in interactive explorations of the past. This session will explore how archaeogames are utilised for storytelling and interpretation of archaeological data. As an interdisciplinary field, archaeogaming engages a diverse audience, including archaeologists, game designers, heritage professionals, educators, and digital media scholars. This intersection of gaming, storytelling, and archaeology is of interest to those involved in public outreach and engagement through digital platforms, including students and early-career researchers.

The session will feature 5–6 paper presentations, each lasting 20 minutes, with up to 10 minutes of discussion following each. We invite papers exploring the use of games to interpret historical and archaeological data, papers discussing the implications of digital reconstructions for research and public engagement and papers addressing games as archaeological sites or texts. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to present or discuss notable archaeogaming projects, and share technical workflows and insights from practice, contributing to a more practical understanding of the field. After the presentations, we will hold a 30-minute roundtable discussion on the challenges of archaeogaming, addressing ethical considerations, player agency, and the potential for games to shape public understanding of archaeology.

Paper 1: Cultivaria: Designing a Board Game to Communicate Archaeology

Despite its short lifespan, archaeogaming has already engaged with a huge range of topics and games. This is also true in the development of games, with many designers and developers increasingly engaging with history and archaeology to create games that authentically reflect the past.

However, archaeogaming studies and discussions have often focussed on video games, with only occasional attention given to board games or other forms of gaming. Despite the relative accessibility of creating board games, they remain an under-utilised form of non-traditional output. Most board games developed by archaeologists remain mechanically simple, being designed specifically as teaching aids for university classes. While often effective educational tools, such games generally function as vehicles for delivering information. However, by failing to utilise gameplay as a means of communication, they remain ineffective at engaging wider audiences.

This paper will detail the recent development of the board game Cultivaria and use this game as a case study in the unique strengths of board games as a form of public communication. In particular, this paper will focus on the challenge of balancing effective communication of complex archaeological themes with creating an effective boardgame that is appealing to a general gaming audience.

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Paper 02: Making ‘Playing with Data’ Easy to Foster Data Sharing in Archaeology: The ‘ArcheoViz’ Approach

What does the common idiom ‘playing with data’ mean? What are the possible relationships between data analysis and gamification? This presentation will address some grey zones at the border between scientific research and (computer) games, using the archeoViz software ecosystem as a case study. This ecosystem includes: 1) the archeoViz application for the visual and statistical explorations of archaeological spatialised data (e.g. excavation data) and 2) the archeoViz Portal, an interactive online catalogue of all existing archeoViz applications to particular datasets (https://analytics.huma-num.fr/archeoviz/home/). This ecosystem aims to foster data sharing in archaeology, considering the unsatisfying current situation. It complements the existing data infrastructures with a particular approach, based on the following principles: 1) a decentralised design and the use of an open-source licence, allowing complete control by users and their self-reliance; 2) targeting different audiences and uses, encompassing archaeological data analysts, archaeologists in general, and the general public interested in getting a concrete view of the results of a given archaeological excavation; 3) an emphasis on simplicity through a simple graphical interface and the interoperability with other online applications, making ‘playing with data’ and the use of simple and advanced analytical methods as easy as possible.

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Session Abstract:

In this workshop we will explore how to use CRMarchaeo, part of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model, to link a wide range of existing archaeological documentation. In particular we will be considering the use of oral history and traditions and how they may be incorporated with excavation material. When working with data deposited in archives in different eras and by different organisations using ever-evolving recording methodologies, a recurrent problem is being able to systematically access elements of the record without immersing oneself in the recording milieu of the original deposits. This high intellectual cost must be paid by each scholar wishing to work on the records of a particular archaeological investigation and so effectively creates a barrier to extensive reuse of archived data. The FAIR data principles require “that all research objects should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) both for machines and for people” (Wilkinson et al. 2016). One approach to making data FAIRly accessible while reducing the effort to a single ‘intellectual act’ is to map to a ‘lingua franca’, such as CRMarchaeo.

Session Abstract:

Martuwarra/Fitzroy River is a 733 km long cultural landscape that contains heritage ranging from Aboriginal rock paintings, ancient and modern, stone tools, stone arrangements, songlines and stories, European sites of colonial occupation/invasion, and heritage still in the making today. It is home to diverse Aboriginal nations as well as non-Aboriginal people and is a source of daily and spiritual sustenance. Climate change on this landscape has included radical rises and falls in sea level, vegetation, precipitation, pyrogeography and the like for tens of thousands of years. Aboriginal First Law has adapted to manage the effects on heritage of a changing environmental and social landscape over time. This includes understanding Martuwarra RiverOfLife as a sentient and living ancestral serpent being with whom people enjoy a set of reciprocal responsibilities to ensure wellbeing. This is not a conservative approach. For example, the 2023 Martuwarra floods caused significant physical damage to living things, the environment and heritage. To understand the flood’s effects on heritage we employed an Indigenous-led digital ‘StoryMap’ approach to better understand what ‘heritage’ is, what it means to different people, and what actions to take to manage change to this heritage. These activities take place within a state where resource extraction enjoys unprecedented access to ‘resources’ with poor, absent or culturally inappropriate legislations and protections. In this session we share experiences ranging from young and Indigenous ‘River Keepers’, Traditional Owners, and academics in both formal papers and an open session to share challenges and responses to these challenges, to learn, network and craft effective responses to the changing world around us.

Paper 1: Lessons from Wiliyanoo

Wiliyanoo (freshwater mussels) are very clever creatures and have lessons to teach humans about how to look after the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. I have a special relationship with wiliyanoo, as it is my personal jarriny/jadiny (totem). In Nyikina culture, our totems teach us to be good humans and show us how to care for our environment. The human and non-human totemic relationship is all about living respectfully together in a safe and sustainable way that creates an ecological harmony or reciprocity to everyday life and ceremony. Wiliyanoo has lessons for me to learn and I need to see myself as a student and co-researcher to this creature who lives in the waterways of the Martuwarra and is already adapting to climate changes and the impacts of colonisation and industrialisation in the Kimberley region. I hope the lessons from wiliyanoo discussed in this presentation will become part of the knowledge shared with visitors on an ecotourism Walking Trail project that is being developed, showcasing the significance of Martuwarra Country from both western science and Indigenous perspectives.

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Paper 2: Downstream

Martuwarra is at a crossroads, one way leads to investment in forever ‘green-collar’ industries, focusing on the preservation of ecological and cultural values that are proven to stimulate economic growth. The other leads to broad-scale extractive industries as seen in the neighbouring Pilbara region, Australia’s quarry.

How do we move downstream together towards a future of well-being and resilience? What is the most powerful tool in impactful conservation outcomes?

The Living Water Heritage (LWH) project by was a novel response to improve access to and engagement with the National Heritage listed West Kimberley Region, specifically focusing on Martuwarra. A rich tapestry of multifaceted and interwoven heritage values blankets the Martuwarra’s watershed. LWH is an online educational resource that caters to a diverse audience the project unpacks the National Heritage criteria while staying true to the Traditional Owner Voices that co-created this resource. The media-rich virtual exhibition has three themes Culture, Country and Truth. LWH provides insight into landscape-scale threats, exacerbated by ongoing colonisation and anthropocentric climate uncertainty. In this session, I share lessons learned working on the LWH project as we all move downstream.

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Paper 3: Natural Disasters Are Always Cultural: Using Water and Fire to Map and Manage Cultural Heritage in a Changing Planet: Case Studies from the West and East Kimberley, Australia

Current climate change management is destined to fail because it draws predominantly from nature-based models, with social contexts typically peripheral or absent. Lessons from Aboriginal Australia provide elegant, practical ways to bridge the unproductive nature-culture divide. Decadal Healthy Country Plans provide seamless integration of land and water management within a cultural frame of reciprocal responsibilities between humans and the more-than-human world around us. We can service these responsibilities by, for example, working collaboratively on Country to map heritage sites in a widely accessible digital StoryMap format. Similarly, catastrophic fires are better understood as opportunities to use preventative burning practices as a force for the positive management of cultural heritage. This kind of networked work helps recast policy and practice into a blended ‘third way’ combining traditional and modern ways of managing and relating to our changing planet.

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Paper 4: Draft WAC 10 Martuwarra Resolution discussion

Session Abstract:

Until the 20th century, educating the public about cultural inheritance was a key museum objective, popular in a few public domains, like history and archaeology. Over time, in the 21st century, various novel approaches have played a vital role in advancing museum industries led by younger generations employing existing and new technologies. Along with gaining education and information from museums, people are searching for experimental learning filled with entertainment to enhance their experience. General visitors, like tourists and professionals, have developed formal and informal networks in peer review feedback systems through social media. Financially stable museums lead digital innovation to engage new generations; augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) have added fresh approaches to age-old heritage narratives. This has dramatically involved visitors in digital practices. Additionally, museums have significantly impacted how archaeological heritages of a region or nation are managed and studied, shaping their role in research and community engagement. 

This session will explore how museums have been handling their regional responsibilities, competing with global collaborations, and creating new narratives by (re)interpreting accumulated collections to engage modern audiences, especially visitors of different age groups and diverse cultural backgrounds. Such underlying discussions on the evolving role of museums in archaeological research emphasise how museums can act as dynamic spaces for heritage preservation, cultural engagement, research innovation, and the 21st-century challenges that are taken up here. We, therefore, invite contributions touching on the lines such as archaeological materials in research, museum curation, museum management, public outreach programs, innovative curatorial practices, sustainable conservation methods, community-driven programs, educational resources, social and cultural relevancy, innovation, digitalisation and digitisation, innovative curatorial practices, community engagement programs, sustainable practices, conservation and preservation of heritage sites, storytelling, and new interpretations. This session welcomes worldwide researchers, museum professionals, conservators, archaeologists, and faculty members to contribute papers, no matter if the museum you work for is a ‘small scale/start-up museum’ or a ‘big museum’, and we look forward to engaging in impactful discussions.

Paper 1: The Role of Mobile Museum in Serving the Underserved Populations Especially at the Rural Areas and Remote Places Case Study: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

Mobile museum is an educational outreach program that brings the museum experience to the people rather than vice versa. It aims to deliver the museum services of the large museums in the big cities to the underserved populations, especially in rural areas and remote places. It is playing a vital role in making the museum more accessible and inclusive for all underserved communities.

The GEM mobile museum aims to provide creative outreach programs that help in raising the cultural and archaeological awareness of ancient Egyptian civilisation, through bringing educational activities and cultural havens to people who otherwise would have remained distant from them.

So, this paper aims to present the endeavour undertaken by the GEM educators to apply the idea of the mobile museum, emphasise the educational role of it in serving schools in rural areas and remote places, and present its impact on school students.

The methodologies used in this research are the Qualitative and the Quantitative Approaches. The qualitative approach is document review and interviews with officials. The quantitative approach is an online questionnaire sent to officials of local schools via email to recognise their needs and the obstacles facing them during planning to visit a museum.

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Paper 2: Outreach and Community Driven Program at Bihar Museum – A Case Study

The Bihar Museum was inaugurated on August 7, 2015, and has emerged as a pride for the people of Bihar. This paper aims to classify the program into two segments: the community-driven program and the outreach program. Since 2017, the Bihar Museum has engaged with diverse communities and participated in outreach programs worldwide. It aims to unite communities, including women, children, individuals with disabilities, and contemporary and regional artists. This effort is to encourage a love for history and art, while promoting social awareness and cultural exchange. This is accomplished via temporary exhibitions, seminars, workshops, mobile exhibitions, summer camps, and a museum biennale. The major programs in community engagement include the “Womeniya, Rhythm of Change” documentary movie, workshops for children, like “Back to the Superheroes from Reel to Real”, and an exhibition organised with the title “Fragrance of Art and Craft from the Soil of Bihar” and so forth. The category of outreach programs includes the museum biennale, mobile exhibition in the Sonpur fair, Hajipur, and Bihar Pavilion at New Delhi. This paper also adds suggestions for museums to enhance their outreach programs, to connect with villages, and globally promote culture, heritage, and social awareness.

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Paper 3: Cultural Memory and National Indentity: Exploring Indian Heritage through the Biographical Museum of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis

This study explores the cultural and socio-scientific relevance of the Indian scientist and father of Indian statistics, Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, through the lens of biographical museums, with an emphasis on how the Museum & Archives contribute to Indian history by conserving his publications, manuscripts, and personal items. Using Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis' biographical museum as a case study, the research examines how archival collections convey the scientist's legacy, highlighting the socio-cultural significance of their contributions to science and technology. The report discusses the scientist's accomplishments and lasting impact, demonstrating how biographical museums blend historical accuracy with cultural narratives that represent pride in India's scientific advances in nation-building. The research investigates how books, research notes, and publications—key components of the museum’s archival holdings—serve as educational resources and cultural artefacts, offering insight into the scientist’s philosophy, ethics, and socio-political vision. By examining how the museum curates and displays these materials, the paper discusses the ways in which the scientist’s work have shaped modern India’s identity, inspired youth, and promoted STEM education, blending scientific heritage with socio-cultural values. Indian biographical museums like PCMM&A contributes to cultural memory and nation-identity as well. This study concludes by reflecting on the broader implications for Indian scientific heritage public engagement in science.

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Paper 4: Small Scale and Start-up Museums in Mumbai: Innovations in Cultural Preservation and Engagement

Mumbai, India's financial and cultural hub, is home to a variety of museums, ranging from big state-run establishments to tiny, neighbourhood-driven spaces. Its iconic museum includes the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which dominates the cultural visage of the city. in recent years, however, small-scale and start-up museums have been proliferating. These small institutions provide innovative models of cultural engagement, focusing on local histories in niche art forms and high community participation. The small-scale museums in Mumbai can be defined as niche institutions, having limited budgets, and more focused on involvement with the community concerned. Most often, they are founded by independent curators or local organisations or passionate individuals interested in preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage in ways that speak to current audiences. This paper talks about the influences these museums create on the city's cultural fabric by concentrating on how they engage citizens, offer educational opportunities, or bring out alternative narratives largely ignored by large institutions. Despite their significant contributions, small-scale museums face numerous challenges, including financial instability, limited space, lack of professional resources, and difficulties in achieving visibility. However, these institutions also present opportunities for growth, particularly through digital engagement, partnerships with local communities and organisations.

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Paper 5: Museums Beyond Galleries: A New Start-up

Museums are the institutional area where knowledge of past, present, and future is displayed from the point of view of self-explanatory methods, with few write-ups to aid visitors. As learning and knowing things have changed drastically with the application of technology in every aspect of life, then why has the setup for museums not also changed for a better experience and greater impact on visitors? Start-ups are the new way of experimenting in a venture without any set norms, but securing new ways by admixing several methods of demonstration for maximum effect. This start-up will give the visitors a new experience by engaging them in activities. The Museum Beyond the Galleries will focus on heritage villages; these will be taken up for an open museum, where no galleries are needed to display, but preservation of the tradition, along with visitor engagement, will be the priority. Apart from this, the interpretation centre and simulation area use AI and AR, giving the place a unique identification, while keeping traditional values alive. India holds a special place for culture and tradition, which cannot be kept in one room but can be explained while engaging in it. The Heritage Village Museum is a perfect example of a museum that is beyond the scope of galleries and will have a unique way of imparting knowledge and have a lifetime impact on visitors. There are many places in India that are not declared heritage villages but have some unique features that need to be seen in their original context. Here, the concept of a museum beyond galleries works.

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Paper 6: Small Museums in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand: Stories of People and Their Culture

Museums in India cover the gamut from large State-funded museums to small museums run by communities or even individuals. While museums are not the first choice of people to visit in terms of spending a day, there is a sizeable population that does visit museums and experiences them. There is a small but growing movement of community-run museums which is evolving in the country. These museums engage their collection as storytellers by exercising a single narrative approach that pushes the story forward. These spaces are not just about preserving the past, but also about educating future generations to prevent history from repeating itself.

In today’s context, they are defined as ‘People's museums’. They create spaces where communities can tell their own stories and see their experiences reflected. Today's museums pitch themselves as a space to rebuild relationships. As seen during COVID-19, they have come forward to address humanitarian crises and foster understanding. These initiatives assist in gaining widespread support, with thousands contributing to their establishment.

In, the newly formed state of Uttarakhand, given the diverse and difficult topography, museums have sprung up in remote areas of the mountains, which is an excellent development in the 25-year-old state. These have become a repository for local culture, handicraft, stories, etc. These also become centres for the documentation of regional history. This presentation narrates the story of 10 such small museums, which have created a niche for themselves in the last few years.

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Paper 7: Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Understanding the Educational Resources Shaping Museum Learning

The museums stand for a certain keeper of culture, but today, they are gaining a status of an educational institution that educates beyond classroom walls. This paper elaborates how educational materials in the museum, particularly in Mumbai, influence educational outcomes and experiences. The study compares educational practices across various museums in Mumbai and presents an alternate view of how such spaces engage visitors of all ages with knowledge and use various mediums of experimentation. The study shows the variation between traditional teaching methods vis-a-vis technology-aided processes of teaching in the way they enhance learning. The research also looks globally at how museums use educational tools to improve visitor engagement. Social and cultural inclusion is another important focus. Museums provide platforms for underrepresented groups, fostering inclusive education. However, the study also highlights challenges in museum-based education, including gaps in resources and practices. It explores emerging technologies like VR and AR, emphasising the need to balance tech advancements with human interactions that maintain engaging learning experiences. In Mumbai’s shifting cultural landscape, museums remain spaces for knowledge and enjoyment, extending learning beyond traditional classrooms into dynamic, interactive environments.

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Paper 8: Tailored Educational Programs for Silver (Senior) Audiences at Egyptian Museums: A Case Study from The Grand Egyptian Museum

Despite the proliferation of Egyptian museums and their notable impact on informal education, initiatives tailored for seniors have been largely overlooked. This represents a missed opportunity to harness the wealth of experience and knowledge that seniors possess, while also fostering their well-being and social engagement. Consequently, Egyptian museums should develop systematic strategies and proposals for educational programs specifically catering to seniors, informed by a thorough understanding of their interests, motivations, and preferences. This paper presents a case study outlining the design of museum educational programs tailored to seniors, assessing their impact on senior visitors and the broader community. Moreover, this paper identifies the characteristics, motivations, and preferred learning styles of senior museum visitors in Egypt.

The importance of the research lies mainly in the age cluster addressed by museum programs and the privileges granted to seniors through these programs. In this regard, the researcher uses educational programs designed for seniors in Egyptian museums and their effectiveness as a case study for more elaboration.

Additionally, it proposes a prototype for an educational program at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Research methods employed include questionnaires, surveys, one-on-one interviews, and field observations. Overall, this study contributes to closing the gap in research on museum programs for seniors and underscores their potential significant benefits.

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Paper 9: Decolonising Museums: The Indian Context

Museums in India carry with them a long history of colonial politics, disruptions in cultural identities and strong narratives of nation building. Across decades there has been a significant shift in the impacts of these discourses, along with significant shifts in museum building itself. This paper focuses on the shift of meaning-making discourses from colonial India, beginning from the establishment of the first museum in Calcutta to the post-colonial nation at present. Key observations on questions of identity and knowledge dissemination are highlighted, including concepts of public seeing, such as darshan. An argument is made for a further shift in the discourse to re-imagine the museum as a decolonised space that is open for all. A new museum is imagined with the public at the centre, whose ideas drive the space forward. The new museum shifts away from the colonial gaze, steps down from producing knowledge and now focuses on generating new knowledge through public engagement. The present state of this new museum is evaluated through a short study of the Bihar Museum in Patna, Bihar. The central idea of increased public engagement is to present stories of the people but in a way that they deem appropriate. This would not be possible under the colonial gaze of the museum, whose only objective was to classify and quantify knowledge. An instance of the new museum can already be seen in the Partition Museum of Amritsar, where the collections and narratives come directly from the people that were affected by the Partition. The central axis of the paper lies in dismantling the colonial gaze of the museum and suggesting new ways for a post independent, modern museum in India taking into account the unique Indian context as its foundation.

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Paper 10: Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Inclusive Outreach Programs for Lumbini Museum

This research explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the outreach program of the Lumbini Museum, a key archaeological site museum in Nepal. Situated at a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Buddha’s birthplace, the museum is vital for collecting, showcasing, and preserving diverse archaeological artefacts through modern museography. The museum displays artefacts from excavations, including 6th-century BCE PG Ware, NBP Ware, 3rd-century BCE coins, and artefacts of ancient Buddhist and Hindu civilisations. Additionally, the museum features photographic exhibits of three other major Buddhist sites, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar, that are intricately connected to the life history of Lord Buddha. To educate and engage diverse audiences locally, nationally, and internationally, the museum runs various outreach programs in collaboration with TU (Tribhuvan University). The research employs a qualitative methodology, using an ethnographic approach and Constructive theory. It also examines how social media and digital tools can enhance museum outreach through virtual tours, online lectures, and the global dissemination of educational resources. These outreach initiatives aim to inspire and involve communities in heritage preservation using inclusive techniques. The expected outcomes include foreign visitors, better educational opportunities for schools, increased community involvement, and a replicable outreach program model for other cultural groups.

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Paper 11: Current State of Archaeological Collection Management in Nigerian Museums

Museum collection storage is a space where artefacts, objects, and works of art are kept for study, research, and future exhibition. The needs of this space are often overlooked in favour of front-facing operations, like exhibitions, by many museums across the globe and Nigeria is no exception. This neglect has led to the loss of priceless collections due to incorrect microclimatic conditions, theft, and flooding. This study presents conditional assessments of three archaeological collections storage spaces in Nigerian National Museums and one University Museum. Several approaches such as Museum visits, interviews, observation, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and desktop search were adopted to gather qualitative data. Findings from the study reveal that the structure (building) of the collection storage areas is not conducive for both the artefacts and the collections care staff of the museums. The study argues that non-adherence to preventive conservation measures due to the lack of trained personnel and absence of tools and equipment used in regulating microclimatic conditions in the storage areas were responsible for non-adherence to the collection storage standards in line with the international best practice in Nigerian museums. It concludes that proper implementation of preventive conservation measures in storage is the way forward.

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Paper 12: Persistent Identifiers (PIDs): Building Knowledge Networks in Archaeological Museums

Persistent identifiers serve as essential components within the research information infrastructure, uniquely identifying individuals (researchers), organisations (places), and research outputs and contributions. They facilitate reliable connections between these entities, enhancing access to information, nurturing collaboration opportunities, minimising administrative burdens, and ultimately strengthening trust in scholarly endeavours. PIDs serve as indispensable tools in building knowledge networks within museums, allowing for the unique identification of individuals, organisations, and various contributions to the archaeological museum's repository. By enabling clear and reliable connections between artefacts, researchers, and institutions, PIDs enhance access to information, foster collaboration opportunities, and streamline administrative processes. Embracing PIDs in museum documentation facilitates the sharing, validation, and preservation of cultural heritage, promoting creativity, critical inquiry, and informed decision-making. PIDs contribute to the establishment of healthy knowledge networks, enriching scholarly endeavours and strengthening trust in the preservation and dissemination of cultural knowledge and act as both unique identifiers and crucial connectors. By unequivocally linking an individual researcher with their research organisations, professional engagements, and other contributions, it makes the relationships among them. Utilising resolvable PIDs integrated with FAIR metadata, which adheres to the principles of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability, ensures that researchers, their affiliations, and their contributions become more readily discoverable.

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Paper 13: Total Quality Management (TQM) in Archaeological Heritage Museums in Sri Lanka

Total Quality Management (TQM) can significantly advance archaeological heritage in Sri Lanka by inculcating a culture of continuous improvement and excellence across all facets of archaeological operations. TQM emphasises the importance of systematic processes, stakeholder involvement, and a commitment to quality enhancement, which are crucial elements for effective archaeological heritage management. Firstly, TQM principles can streamline documentation processes within archaeological museums, ensuring that artefacts, historical records, and other cultural materials are accurately catalogued, preserved, and accessible. By implementing standardised procedures for documentation, museums can enhance the reliability and integrity of their collections, facilitating research, education, and public engagement. Moreover, TQM fosters a collaborative approach to knowledge sharing, encouraging archaeological museums to actively engage with diverse stakeholders, including scholars, local communities, and policymakers. Through initiatives such as workshops, seminars, and digital platforms, these museums can facilitate the exchange of information and perspectives, enriching the understanding of Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, TQM promotes a customer-centric mindset, prompting museums to tailor their services and programs to meet the evolving needs and preferences of visitors. By soliciting feedback, conducting surveys, and analysing visitor data, archaeological museums can continuously refine their exhibitions, educational programs and outreach activities, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

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Paper 14: Reviving Cairo’s Last Monuments: Museum Innovations for Heritage Preservation and Community Engagement

The proposed research explores the potential of reviving Cairo's lost Islamic monuments through innovative museum exhibitions that incorporate historical documentation and modern technology. Drawing upon the iconic illustrations from Description de l'Égypte, this study highlights the significant role of French artists in documenting Cairo’s architectural heritage and their contribution to preserving cultural memory. The research addresses several critical questions, including which Islamic monuments in Cairo have been lost, how these structures can be reimagined in a museum setting, and the role of technology in enhancing their presentation.

This study advocates for a transformative approach to museum curation by moving beyond traditional artefact display to include immersive, audiovisual exhibits that revive vanished heritage. It proposes utilising restored spaces, such as the Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, as ideal venues for such exhibitions. With its central location, modern facilities, and thematic relevance, the palace offers a fitting environment to reimagine and present the lost monuments of Cairo, enriching both its cultural narrative and museum experience.

The findings of this research demonstrate the feasibility of creating innovative exhibits that combine historical documentation, artistic representation, and cutting-edge technology to bring these architectural treasures to life. This approach broadens the scope of museum practices, enabling them to engage diverse audiences and preserve intangible cultural heritage through creative storytelling.

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Paper 15: The Impact of Touring Immersive Exhibitions on Visitor Experience: A Case Study of Tutankhamun's Tomb Treasures

Museums worldwide face the challenge of continually innovating their exhibitions to engage audiences and remain relevant. Amidst this backdrop, the rise of immersive exhibitions has emerged as a promising avenue for museums to captivate visitors and convey cultural narratives in dynamic ways. These solutions can be designed to enhance existing exhibits or to create engaging new installations. By collaborating, museum professionals and exhibition organisers can harness the potential of these enriching experiences, elevating their exhibitions from mere displays to captivating journeys to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

This paper presents a case study of the Tutankhamun immersive exhibition, specifically examining its impact on the visitor experience at the Grand Egyptian Museum. It aims to advance the field of museum education and innovation by informing museum practices, driving innovation, and enhancing the societal impact of cultural institutions.

The research explores novel questions regarding the role of immersive exhibitions in enhancing museum efficacy and attractiveness and their potential to augment the value of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Methodologically, the study employs a comprehensive approach, combining audience surveys, observation, and qualitative analysis of the data collected from attendees, including expectations, experiences, and feedback to delve into the nuances of visitor engagement and perception.

Preliminary findings suggest that immersive exhibitions hold significant promise in fostering imagination, learning, and sustainability in museum contexts. By providing a fresh perspective on generating Egyptian immersive shows to be hosted all over the world.

Ultimately, the study offers insights into the efficacy and appeal of immersive exhibitions and underscores the importance of creating immersive experiences that not only entertain but also educate and inspire. It highlights the potential of touring immersive exhibitions to enrich cultural discourse, foster awareness, and deliver memorable experiences for diverse audiences.

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Session Abstract:

The discipline of archaeology has, in many countries, moved on considerably from a time when women were excluded from professional spaces or relegated to the discipline’s periphery. Yet critical professional inequities and biases remain, presenting ongoing challenges to practicing archaeology ‘while female’. These challenges include persistent problems of sexual harassment, often intensified by the hierarchical male settings that characterise field and lab work, as well as structural barriers faced by women during pregnancy and while managing caregiving responsibilities.

Women in archaeology also encounter systemic obstacles familiar across many fields, including wage disparities, gender-biased promotion and tenure practices, disproportionate mentorship demands, excessive teaching loads, and skewed teaching evaluations. A higher prevalence of part-time and precarious contracts further compounds these challenges. In extreme cases, female archaeologists have experienced workplace hostility, resistance to their authority, bullying—including upward bullying—and even vexatious or malicious allegations.

This session seeks to document, assess, and propose solutions to these persistent professional inequities across archaeology’s academic, research, heritage, government, and industry sectors. It also explores the intersectional biases that amplify these challenges, particularly for marginalised women, including Indigenous women, women of colour, and gender-minority women. We invite archaeological practitioners from diverse backgrounds and global contexts to participate in this crucial discussion. By examining and addressing gender biases and their intersectional dimensions, we aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable discipline that fully supports and values the contributions of all its members.

Paper 1: Professional Inequities: Women and the Practice of Archaeology in Ecuador

Although traditionally considered a male, upper-class endeavour in the imaginary of the general public, archaeology in Ecuador is currently being practiced by a growing number of female professionals. Women now constitute a sizeable proportion of archaeologists in the nation. However, throughout the development of the discipline in the country, it is males who have had the most recognition and the more prestigious positions. Based on numerical data from the register of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and membership in the Ecuadorian association of archaeologists, we seek to establish the presence of females among the professionals in the country with more precision. We also explore the roles of other women who participate in the discipline in various capacities that do not appear in these records. We delve into various factors, including national culture, the development of academic archaeology, and the availability and kinds of professional employment as sources of the inequities in our field. We examine positive steps that have been taken to help ameliorate this situation and explore possibilities for the future.

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Paper 2: Gender Equity and Intersectional Diversity in American Academic Archaeology

Since the earliest studies of gender inequities in archaeology, published 40 years ago, there has been an enormous influx of women into archaeology, as shown in many quantitative studies of the genders of publication authors and grant recipients. Yet, my intersectional quantitative research has demonstrated that the women entering the discipline are disproportionately white and straight: archaeology’s approach to gender parity has not necessarily been a sign of more holistic diversification. Indeed, when equity issues are discussed in single-issue, gender-focused ways, the concerns of the most privileged women may dominate the conversation, which limits our progress toward diversity. In this paper, I will draw on my quantitative and qualitative research on the demographics, career paths, and knowledge production among U.S.-based academic archaeologists to argue that our work for diversity and equity must always be intersectional in order to achieve its aims.

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Paper 3: Female Archaeologists and Their Careers in China: Opportunities and Challenges

Following global trends, Chinese women entered archaeology in the mid-20th century, but few achieved independent careers. It was not until the beginning of this century, with the advancement of educational equality, that more women began to enter this professional domain. However, even today, female archaeologists still face numerous career challenges stemming from gender, which subject female archaeologists to obstacles and additional pressures in areas such as job promotion, securing funding, and obtaining managerial authority.

Looking back over the past two decades, we examine the number and proportion of female archaeologists within major research institutions and universities in China. We have also reviewed their ages, their professional titles, publication records, and leadership positions within their respective institutions. The results reveal that, compared to their predecessors, female archaeologists born after 1980 have experienced a relatively rapid increase in their proportion and have achieved remarkable success in publishing papers within related fields. Additionally, a significant number have ascended to leadership positions. However, they still encounter significant gaps in career advancement and leadership opportunities compared to their male counterparts. So, we are still charting the course to true gender equality.

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Paper 4: The Narrowing Career Path for Women in Archaeology

Over the past decades, the number of women studying, researching and working in archaeology has grown steadily. At the same time, increasing awareness of the biases and barriers faced by women across academia more broadly has also promoted diverse gender parity studies and initiatives within the field. Yet, despite these trends, real measures of female leadership, authority and prestige suggest that biases remain entrenched and affect female career progression in archaeology. Here we examine data relating to women’s publication in high impact journals, receipt of awards, and promotion to professorships or other leadership positions to interrogate ongoing biases within academic archaeology and their relationship to broader trends across the academy. We compile datasets from several countries across the Global North and Global South, and also examine the role of intersectional identities in amplifying the authority biases faced by women in archaeology.

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Paper 5: Fifty Years of Doing Archaeology While Female: What Has Changed and What Remains to be Done

I entered the PhD program in Anthropological Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 at age 20. At that time the UPenn faculty was almost entirely male, and I was my PhD adviser's first female PhD. I was first hired by Princeton University in 1984, and I have spent the past 40 years as an archaeology faculty member at Princeton and New York University. Important issues facing women in archaeology include sexual harassment, maternity and family leave, support for women conducting field and lab research, requirements for department and university service, leadership opportunities, and mentorship. Based on my long experience in the field, this presentation will address how and to what extent these issues have been dealt over the past 50 years and what has changed and what still needs to be done to support women in archaeology.

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Paper 6: Digital Bridges: Highlighting the Gender Inequalities in Archaeology

The digital revolution has transformed access to knowledge and professional opportunities in archaeology. However, gender biases persist in digital spaces, exacerbating the inequalities faced by women archaeologists. This paper examines how digital platforms both reflect and challenge barriers such as wage inequality, gender biased promotion, and precarious employment conditions that disproportionately affect women and gender minority professionals.

By analysing digital gender equity initiatives, particularly in the Hispanic Global South and Spain, this study highlights how online spaces serve as arenas where traditional narratives about women in archaeology are both reinforced and challenged. It also explores the role of digital activism in addressing sexual harassment, workplace hostility, and exclusionary practices. Recognising the intersectional nature of these challenges, this research highlights the need for inclusive policies that mitigate discrimination against Indigenous women, women of colour, and gender minority archaeologists.

This paper contributes to the discussion of professional inequalities in archaeology by positioning digital spaces as sites of both struggle and transformation. This paper is part of the Arqueólogas/Herstory project (ref. PID2023-149477NB-I00).

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Paper 7: Addressing Gender Inequality in East African Archaeology: Challenges and Progress

Since its inception, East African archaeology has been largely dominated by foreign researchers and by men. This is due to inequalities caused by biased funding opportunities and restricted accessibility of information, factors that particularly impact African women. This situation has prevented East African women from excelling in archaeology.

Meanwhile, archaeological interpretation has often ignored African perspectives, instead privileging foreign narratives that were biased towards specific cultures and social statuses, and that undermined inclusivity. Women’s voices have suffered most from these setbacks.

Archaeology requires significant time in the field and/or lab, as well as time for writing. This particularly disadvantages family women who have to balance work and family responsibilities. In addition, societal expectations of women, professionally and otherwise, place women archaeologists in a box, only to think and interpret data in a specific way.

This paper highlights the major challenges to women archaeologists in Eastern Africa, citing examples of a few renowned individuals in Kenya. We also discuss some of the efforts that are being made to address biases and promote active participation of women in all aspects of archaeology, ensuring that the field becomes more equitable and representative of diverse perspectives.

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Paper 8: Intersectional Challenges Facing Women Archaeologists in India 

Archaeology has long been a male-dominated field, yet women have played crucial roles in shaping its development. This paper explores the intersectional experiences of women in archaeology, examining how gender, race, class, and other social factors influence their participation, recognition, and professional trajectories. We analyse women's challenges through historical and contemporary perspectives, from early exclusion and marginalisation to present-day struggles with discrimination and bias. The study also highlights the contributions of pioneering women archaeologists and the impact of feminist and decolonial approaches in reshaping the discipline. By addressing issues of representation, labour equity, and inclusivity, this research underscores the need for systemic change to create a more diverse and equitable archaeological practice. Understanding these intersectionalities is essential for fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive interpretation of the past. However, greater representation remains necessary, especially in fieldwork, excavation leadership, and academic discourse. Addressing issues of gender disparity, inclusivity, and institutional support can further empower women in archaeology in India, ensuring their voices and research receive the recognition they deserve.

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Paper 9: Women in Argentinian Archaeology: The Last Three Decades and Future Prospects in a Regressive Context

In 1993, we published a study (Bellelli et al. 1993, later expanded in Bellelli et al. 1994) in which we examined the representation of women in Argentine archaeological research and education at a time when neglect, harassment, and inequality were prevalent. This study was recognised as the first in Latin America to address gender issues in archaeological practice (Navarrete 2010; Prieto Olavarría and Chaparro 2020; Bejarano Espinosa 2022). The study’s main conclusion was that, although women were numerous in the lower ranks of the field, men dominated the higher ranks, effectively controlling research agendas, funding allocation, and leadership positions. Thirty years later, driven by the enthusiasm, discussions, and discoveries sparked by new generations of archaeologists, we have decided to revisit the topic. Our aim is to assess whether the situation has changed since then, and to what extent, if any, progress has been made. In this presentation, we also seek to explore the intersectional factors that shape our work, as well as to offer proposals for the future, in light of the significant political shifts that have occurred in the past year.

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Paper 10: Male Allyship in Archaeology and the Pursuit of Gender Equity

The challenges of gender bias, inequity and patriarchal violence in archaeology are profound and multifaceted. Despite a significant presence of women in undergraduate and postgraduate programs, their representation diminishes at higher academic ranks, revealing a persistent glass ceiling. This talk outlines preliminary findings from long-form interviews with male archaeologists, revealing candid reflections on their roles and responsibilities in addressing such systemic issues.

Results reveal men's differing notions of allyship and their various strategies for advocacy (or lack thereof) as agents within archaeology. This research reveals sources of hesitation, and the challenges men face in taking action. For instance, some interviewees express guilt about benefiting from systemic inequalities, while others are frustrated and confused by the slow pace of change and a perceived inability to make significant impacts. Several successful initiatives have encouraged men's allyship through the provision of allyship-related resources, training and discussion spaces within their faculties or workplaces. More importantly, men's efforts to support women's careers, collaborative projects, and institutional protections regarding safety are crucial for dismantling sexist structural and institutional barriers in archaeology. In conclusion, men are urged to address their own emotional responses, collaborate with others, and practice becoming more politically involved in promoting safety and equity.

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Paper 11: Unearthing Inequality: Gender-Based Challenges Faced by Young Chinese Female Archaeologists

This research adopts the combination of questionnaire surveys and personal interviews to examine and explore the academic choices, fieldwork experiences, and job-seeking processes of young Chinese female scholars currently or previously engaged in archaeological work. Overall, the gender-based challenges faced by young Chinese female scholars in the field of archaeology can be categorised into three main types: sexual harassment, unequal access to professional opportunities, and negative societal perceptions.

Sexual harassment is the common issue in many archaeological sites, but currently there is no strategy in China specifically designed to protect females from sexual harassment in the context of field archaeology.

Gender-based disparities in access to opportunities are widespread for Chinese female archaeologists seeking internships and employment, as many archaeological institutions continue to explicitly state in their recruitment guidelines that they do not hire female field archaeologists during public recruitment processes, while gender discrimination is also prevalent within the field.

Societal pressures directly or indirectly influence the academic choices and life perspectives of Chinese female archaeologists. Societal perceptions about the physical capabilities and willpower of women in the archaeological field exert a negative impact on current female scholars and young women aspiring to enter the profession.

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Paper 12: The Role of Women in Non-Academic Australian Archaeology

Women play a pivotal role in Australian archaeology beyond academia, particularly within large-scale infrastructure projects where cultural heritage management is a critical component. This paper examines the contributions of women working in consultancy, government, and heritage advisory roles on major developments such as rail, road, and energy projects. It explores their impact on heritage protection, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge in project planning. Despite these contributions, women in non-academic archaeology continue to face challenges related to career progression, workplace equity, and representation in leadership roles. Through case studies and industry insights, this paper highlights both the successes and systemic barriers encountered by women in infrastructure-driven archaeology. By amplifying their experiences, this research advocates for policies and industry practices that enhance inclusivity, professional recognition, and long-term career sustainability in the sector.

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Paper 13: Archaeology, the Female Experience 1991-2021: Thirty Years of Data from the UK  

Since 2007, the authors have engaged voluntarily in mapping the maintenance of social and organisational structures perpetuating inequalities in UK archaeology. Analysis of data from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists employment surveys (1999-2021) enables an understanding of why many women, often reluctantly, left archaeology in their 30s before 2020 – in a continual ‘leaky pipeline’ or ‘sector exodus’ – following gendering of tasks/under-employment, lack of parenting support, and gendered promotion, leading to pay disparity. We find reproduction of post-WWII stereotypes facilitated a ‘problematisation’ of women and an ‘inevitability’ around discriminatory employment practices, resulting in retention issues and low representation at senior levels. We discover how an early equality and diversity agenda (Morris 1992) was dismantled in the late 1990s, and explore the impact on women’s careers, with respect to parenting, discrimination/harassment, and pay/promotion. Despite an increase in young women recruits since the 2000s, the sector remained a gendered structure in employment terms, due to late 1990s leadership decisions around equality. This latter can also be linked to the UK sector’s alarming lack of diversity, which we further explore. We argue that the late 1990s refusal to modernise employment structures around women workers’ needs underpins ongoing economic precarity in the sector.

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Session Abstract: 

The Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA) invites paper presentations on recent archaeological findings, research and the advancement of historical archaeology in the Asia – Pacific region. The session provides a platform for knowledge sharing on the region's diverse and rich archaeological heritage and history. Archaeological investigations carried out since the late 1960s have resulted in the discovery of copious material evidence. Ongoing research has provided some insights and answers to the subjects of: colonialism; convictism; cultural and trade connections; industrial and agricultural development; creation of urban environments and change of natural landscapes; interpretation of material remains and intangible values; interactions with Indigenous people; and the profound change these interactions caused in social, religious and cultural spheres. However, the abundance of archaeological records retrieved to date still have enormous potential to shed more light on the past and close the gap on missing records. One approach to address these gaps includes technological science such as GPR, GIS, LiDAR, data processing programs, thermoluminescence and optical dating. More active dissemination of archaeological findings over the last two decades through publication, media and onsite interpretation, have also led to a significant increase in the public interest in archaeology and history. However, whilst there have been remarkable achievements, there are still some pending challenges associated with the management of archaeological material, including the maintenance of archaeological collections, assessments of significance, disposing of materials with little or no significance, interpretation and ownership.

Paper 1: Looking Back and Moving Forward: The University of Sydney’s Archaeological Archive 

In accordance with national and state requirements and its own Research Data Policy mandating the retention and preservation of research data, the University of Sydney has established an Archaeological Archive to house and manage all available material and records from archaeological investigations carried out under the auspices of the University since the 1960s. This paper discusses the legal and ethical issues involved in the process as well as the practical challenges of locating, moving, storing and documenting hundreds of thousands of artefacts, documents and photographs, as well as digital images and files. While the process remains far from complete the value of the material is already being demonstrated in training, teaching, public outreach and research. One early outcome has been the identification of the origin of historical archaeology in Australia.

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Paper 2: The Bigger Picture: On the Benefits of a Whole of State Historical Archaeology Collection

The exhibition Traces of Girlhood opened at the National Trust’s Como House in Melbourne in 2024. Curated by archaeologists and an historian, the exhibition set out to explore the diverse experiences of girls and young women in late c19th and early c20th century Victoria. Collaborators included the National Trust (Victoria), DJARRA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation), the Australian Queer Archives, and Vision Australia, amongst others. It incorporated art, objects, audio visual material, historical images and archaeological artefacts. Artefacts from Heritage Victoria’s historical and maritime archaeological collection contributed the stories of Chinese girls, affluent girls from the country, orphaned girls, ill girls, and explored the notion of girlhood itself. Using Traces of Girlhood as a case study, this paper will discuss how having access to a whole of state historical archaeological collection enables the creation of multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary exhibitions that can explore relevant issues from diverse perspectives. The depth of material available and the ability to see patterns across different assemblages allow the telling of nuanced and personal stories. The project has demonstrated the value of collaboration, and the importance of recognising that the curator’s voice is not always the most appropriate one to tell every story.

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Paper 3: Reconstructing Heritage Discourse through Chinese-Style Archaeology: Achievements and Prospects of National Archaeological Site Parks

Confronting the limitations of the western Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD), notably its Eurocentric emphasis on materiality, monumentality, and static preservation, China has redefined heritage paradigms by integrating civilisational continuity, spiritual symbolism, and community engagement. The National Archaeological Site Parks (NASPs), evolving since the 1950s originally as Heritage Parks (HPs), now encompass 55 national parks and 80 pilot projects. The NASP system is positioned as a pivotal practice in developing Chinese-style archaeology with global implications and addresses three core challenges in Chinese heritage management.  

1.        Value Refinement of Grand Archaeological Sites: Spanning millennia and large areas (e.g., Liangzhu sites with a time span of c. 3300-2300 and protected area of 42 km2), the grand archaeological sites transcend AHD’s material focus by embedding China’s ‘five civilisational characters’ (continuity, innovation, unity, inclusivity, peace) into spatial narratives, redefining the outstanding universal value (OUV) through Indigenous concepts like tianxia (天下) cosmology. 

2.        New Concepts and Technologies for Earthen Heritage Conservation: Overcoming AHD’s authenticity constraints, China employs multidisciplinary techniques (remote sensing, 3D modeling) and contextual restoration (e.g., Hongshan (鸿山)wetland restoration, making annual marketing revenue of 130 million RMB in 2011) to protect fragile soil-based sites while enabling public interpretation. 

3.        SDG-oriented Dynamic Governance: NASPs adopt adaptive management (e.g., Luoyang’s urban planning integration, Sanxingdui’s live excavation broadcasts), balancing preservation with sustainable development goals (SDG11) through participatory mechanisms and rural-urban synergy. 

The NASP challenges AHD by establishing a parallel terminology system (e.g., grand sites, earthen heritage, archaeological site museums) and governance frameworks (e.g., central-local collaboration, digital unification of heritage data). Case studies demonstrate how NASPs reconcile global standards with localised practices, offering potential solutions for developing nations, indicating Chinese-style archaeology’s capacity to harmonise civilisational identity with global sustainability imperatives.

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Paper 4: The Buffalo Hunters of Kakadu

This paper explores the Australian buffalo hide industry. The hide industry was prevalent in the Northern Territory from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. It involved Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women and men working collectively for white male shooters to exploit feral water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) primarily for their thick hides. The work was dangerous, labour-intensive, and required great skill and courage. Over the nearly eighty years that the industry operated, unique cross-cultural relationships developed between the diverse groups, and lives became intimately entangled. Aboriginal people dominated the workforce, typically constituting around 90%, and often excelled in both experience and ability. As a result, the success of the industry was contingent on the labour of Aboriginal women and men, and without their involvement, it would have been economically unviable. Yet, in popular accounts, only the white shooters are heroicised. Their legend has become entangled in national imagining, obfuscating the valuable role of Aboriginal women and men, and influencing the memory of the industry and heritagisation of Kakadu National Park. This multi-scalar and interdisciplinary study, combining historical archaeology, critical heritage studies, and folkloristics, ‘excavates’ the memory of the buffalo shooting industry across a cultural continuum whilst providing historical reinterpretation.

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Paper 5: For Better or for Worse: The Impact of Historic Shipwrecks on Local Communities in the Pacific 

Is it really possible to locate historic wooden shipwrecks using satellite imagery? Given the right depth, yes, it is! Noted primarily on reefs in the Pacific, is a phenomenon called ‘black reefs’. Over time, iron components of wooden wrecks such as anchors, chains, etc. give rise to a dark discolouration on the reef caused by a shift in the dominant species of the local ecosystem due to the increased availability of iron. This phenomenon may assist with locating shipwrecks remotely, but it has also served to highlight the long term (150 years and more) impact of heritage on the environment. This shift to the ecosystem has been noted in less remote places in the Pacific, where underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in near-shore environments, is seen to be of benefit to the local community. In addition, to the income generated from visitors, the fish populations that aggregate on the site may also be of value to local fishers. However, are these fish appropriate for human consumption, are they absorbing harmful substances from the UCH, or are they displacing fish of a higher economic value? This paper investigates the impact of UCH older than 150 years on local communities in the Pacific.

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Paper 6: Time, Truthtelling and Materiality—Archaeological Source Material and Public Art in Australia 

Public art, in all its mediums provides a way to enliven archaeology and articulate stories from the past to contemporary audiences. This paper examines the space between public art, heritage and culture to explore ways that we can shape the urban form and public domain to embed deep time stories into our social milieu. The focus will be on First Nations stories and the translation of historical knowledges sourced from archaeological field work into physical public art and the design off social infrastructure, particularly in east coast urban centres. The integration of archaeological source material into public art deserves to be recognised as a powerful avenue for fostering deeper engagement with Indigenous histories and historical truthtelling. Ethical and collaborative use of archaeological findings can serve to rectify historical erasure. Grounding public art in tangible, scientifically-derived archaeological evidence is an important opportunity to move beyond symbolic gestures to create meaningful, enduring connections to the deep time of Australia's First Peoples, fostering greater public understanding and respect.

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Paper 7: Enigmatic Objects; An Archaeological Prosopography of an Urban 19th Century Neighbourhood

Thousands of personal effects survive in Melbourne's archaeological record but remain for the most part, unanalysed. Although separated from the people who once owned them, the objects are embedded in the stratigraphic relationships and contexts of a particular place and time. Using creative fiction, informed by detailed historical research and material culture analysis, this paper explores the potential of prosopography as a framework for the interpretation of material culture at a neighbourhood level. Through a symbiotic approach to artefact analysis, personal items from historical archaeological sites in close proximity within urban Melbourne, are analysed alongside individuals selected from the local historical record, based on the dates and locations of the records, corresponding to the artefact deposits. Considering the value of writerly aesthetics in the reconstruction of the past, creative writing is employed to address the problem of connecting artefacts with individuals, specific to urban working-class neighbourhoods of the mid-19th century. This challenges the depersonalisation of archaeological data and seeks meaningful understanding of lived historical experience.

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Paper 8: Reassessing the Perceived Significance of Beads in the Archaeological Discourse of West Bengal in Eastern India: A Critical Review

The present paper critically examines the representation of beads in the archaeological scholarship of West Bengal, eastern India, and how it indicates the patterning behind their perceived value. Despite a significant recovery of beads from the Early Historic period and other cultural phases in said region, their documentation and interpretation remain fragmented. Considering this crucial gap, this study reassesses beads’ roles in the prior scholarly narratives through a critical review of the associated archaeological literature particularly across fifty published volumes of Indian Archaeology – a Review (IAR), and the other relevant publications. The preliminary observations highlight several gaps in bead studies encompassing the inadequate documentation of raw materials, shapes, and contexts; and limited interpretative approaches. Moreover, the absence of a comprehensive account of beads interconnected with broader material assemblages lacks a holistic interpretation of the bygone cultures of West Bengal. Thus, through this literature-based reconnaissance survey, the current study elucidates the need to redefine beads as integral archaeological records rather than ‘minor antiquity’. Finally, this study proposes recommendations to enhance the scholarly treatment of beads, advocating for their systematic documentation and contextual integration, thereby positioning West Bengal’s archaeological record within the broader discourse of Asia-Pacific archaeology; and its future implications.

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Paper 9: Networked Infrastructure and the Archaeology of the Modern City: Roads in Sydney

Recent archaeological and historical research has focused on the historical archaeology of urban block as part of the Modern City rather than the infrastructure associated with their growth and development. This is no doubt due to such projects piggybacking on the historical archaeological projects mandated as part of urban redevelopment projects. Such projects rarely impact on the spaces outside the property boundaries and so projects such as the Archaeology of the Modern City has not considered networked infrastructure which were constructed in such spaces. In Sydney the recently completed Central Sydney and Eastern Suburbs Light Rail project substantially constructed within the existing road corridor, exposing the archaeological remains of networked infrastructure such as tramways, sewers and drains and roads to be recorded and assessed. Because of the amount of information generated, this paper looks at the archaeology of roads as an example focusing on the technology of road construction. It highlights the utility of approaching the archaeological evidence from an industrial archaeological perspective which looks at the technology from an interdisciplinary perspective.

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Paper 10: Convict Tales – Silver Coins, Boot Reef and a Possible Convict Transport

In 2012, the Australian National Maritime Museum and Silentworld Foundation commenced a long-term research project to investigate shipwreck sites associated with shipping routes through and around the Great Barrier Reef that connected 19th-century Australia with the rest of the world. Many of the investigated shipwrecks were engaged in a particular form of triangular trade where convict transports would sail out to Australia with a military guard on board, then return to England, via the Torres Strait, transporting military supplies such as horses or soldiers and their families to the Indian sub-continent. This systematic survey included the investigations of Boot Reef, 80 km east of the entrance to Torres Strait, where an unidentified vessel laden with Spanish bullion was reported to have been wrecked in the early 19th century. Field investigations resulted in the discovery of a previously undocumented early 19th-century shipwreck site, the surviving material culture of which proved critical in paring down the shortlist of potential vessel candidates. Interestingly, it was not just what was present on site that helped solve the mystery of the ship’s identity wreck’s identity – the investigation’s evidence-based approach was complemented by the notable absence of specific naval architectural components.

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Paper 11: Beneath the Green: Interpreting the Silent Dead of Liverpool’s Cemeteries

Archaeological investigations undertaken by Austral Archaeology Pty Ltd within the Liverpool Central Business District (CBD) have facilitated rare, comparative analysis of three historic cemeteries: Apex Park, Pioneers’ Memorial Park, and the Liverpool Memorial Gardens. While these projects did not involve the exhumation or analysis of human remains, they revealed an extensive dataset of burial cuts, grave forms, spatial organisation, and associated infrastructure that enables nuanced interpretation of Liverpool’s burial history. Through the systematic documentation of over 550 grave cuts, including patterns of reuse, alignment, and demographic variation, the archaeological record provided critical insights into the scale and management of pauper and asylum interments. Discrepancies between the observed archaeological features and the historic documentary record—such as the underreporting of burial density or absence of headstones—suggest substantial gaps in our understanding of 19th-century funerary practice, particularly for marginalised populations. These projects demonstrate that archaeological excavation, even without the analysis of human remains, can interrogate the socio-cultural frameworks of past communities and highlight how burial grounds reflect institutional, economic, and religious systems. In doing so, they raise an important question for historical archaeology: do we truly understand the nature and value of this underexamined archaeological resource?

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Paper 12: “The Graves of the Incognito Warriors”: Examining the Fate of Japanese Wartime Casualties in Australia

The human remains of almost 300 Japanese nationals who died in Australia during the Asia-Pacific War were disinterred from multiple locations around Australia in 1964, and reinterred at the newly-created Cowra Japanese war cemetery. The reinterments joined the “graves of the incognito warriors” (Adachi 1975): Japanese combatants who died during the 1944 mass prison escape attempt known as the Cowra Breakout. The graves represent most, but not all, Japanese wartime remains in Australia, with unrecovered casualties (some in identified locations, some not) still located around Australian waters, including near Darwin and Sydney. Considering these enemy wartime remains that found a semi-permanent post-war location that was extraterritorial, situated within enemy territory, and in a remote setting, this paper considers the collocated war cemeteries and their relationship with the archaeological remnants of the nearby former prison camp. With uneven formal heritage recognition of these sites, this paper investigates the meaning that these sites hold for Japan and the Cowra community, and how the sites have been overlaid with largely unrecognised aspects of intangible heritage that respond to presence (at the war cemeteries) and the absence of human remains (at the former camp).

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Paper 13: Osteobiographies from a Lakeshore Town in Batangas, Philippines

Old Tanauan, now known as Talisay in Batangas is one of the lakeshore towns around Taal Lake. The Augustinians established Tanauan in 1584, during the early years of Spanish occupation in the Philippines. The arrival of the Spaniards and eruptions of Taal Volcano at the centre of the lake brought significant changes to the lives and environment of the town's past inhabitants. Although numerous archaeological studies have been conducted on Batangas, analyses of the human remains from the region are very limited, if not absent. This research aims to shed light on the past of the town, particularly on how people interacted with the changing landscape. By linking such external factors with the study of skeletal remains, this study provides a comprehensive narrative that tells their stories and paints a broader picture of the impact of these significant events on the community. Osteobiography of human skeletal remains found at the 17th-century church ruins of Old Tanauan during the 2011 and 2023 excavations were used to construct a possible account of their lived experiences. The skeletal remains exhibited pathological conditions and indicators of habitual activities that may have been related to the environmental changes brought by the eruptions of Taal volcano.

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Paper 14: Surviving the Sydney Opera House

An escalator upgrade project provided the chance to record and retain in situ rare state significant remains of Fort Macquarie. One of Australia’s earliest Gothic buildings, designed by Sydney’s first government architect, emancipist Francis Greenway, the remains lie beneath the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House (SOH). Between 2022-2024 GML Heritage undertook investigations when historical archaeological remains were first encountered during early works to install the Utzon Escalators. This paper highlights how a small, yet complex project led to positive outcomes for archaeology, yielding a deeper historical understanding and appreciation of former historical site uses and wider-ranging interpretation opportunities for one of Australia’s premier cultural institutions.

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Paper 15: ‘Backyard Archaeology’: Assembling, Curating, and Exhibiting the Everyday

‘Backyard Archaeology’ was an exhibition held at the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery, Australia, over a 7-month period in 2024. The display centred on 3,600 artefacts recovered in 2010 from 6 test excavations undertaken across a 347m2 property in the suburb of Arncliffe, Sydney. The investigation had been undertaken by the author to explore the past human and environmental history of a seemingly ordinary suburban property and to study connections and attachments between people, place, and things. Visited by over 18,000 people, the exhibition demonstrated how a seemingly insignificant assemblage evoked empathetic responses from visitors and awoke personal memories, many voiced through storytelling. Additionally, the act of exhibiting became a performative practice of official heritage-making—that is, the display shone a light on the ways a seemingly insignificant archaeological collection became meaningful, and thus valued, by a public audience. I use this case example to argue for a democratising of archaeology such that anyone can participate (‘we are all archaeologists’) and anyone can engage with ordinary found objects to garner insights into the everyday lives of past and contemporary peoples and connected global events.

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Session Abstract: 

High-altitude mountain landscapes present unique challenges and opportunities for human populations. This session invites papers exploring recent archaeological research on human adaptation to upper mountain environments across diverse geographic and temporal contexts. We particularly encourage submissions that:

•        Showcase innovative archaeological methods developed for, or applied to, high-altitude research, such as remote sensing, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and cultural material analyses.

•        Highlight community-based and collaborative research projects with local communities, emphasising the integration of traditional knowledge and archaeological practice.

•        Explore diverse themes related to human-environment interactions in high-altitude zones, including subsistence strategies, technological innovations, mobility patterns, ritual practices, and resilience in the face of environmental change.

This session aims to foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge and perspectives on high-altitude archaeology.

Paper 1: Ghost Populations and the Peoplings of the Tibetan Plateau: Consilience or Confusion Between Genetics and Material Culture?

Since the beginning of the 21st century, remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the peopling processes onto the Tibetan plateau. From the perspective of genetics, a Denisovan contribution to the modern Tibetan gene pool has been identified via the postulation of ghost populations, identified by the genomic analysis of non-plateau, East and North Asian peoples, who interbred with the ancestors of modern Tibetans. Where and how many times this interaction took place remains open to question. From an archaeological perspective, new sites with distinctive reduction strategies have been found both on the plateau margins as well as in its deep and high-altitude interior, but aside from a single site—Baishyia Karst Cave—no human remains and lithic materials have been found together in a secure archaeological context, thus making it difficult to assess the relationships, if any, between them. In this paper I describe our current knowledge about these ghost populations and explore how they relate to lithic traditions on the plateau over the past 100 kya.

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Paper 2: The Central Highlands of Kenya: Geodiversity and Hominin Evolution in Tropical Mountain Systems in the Quaternary

The significance of the interplay between geodiversity and biodiversity on evolution has been demonstrated in geoecological studies but has not been applied to hominin evolution enquiry. Eastern Africa is also integral to the formulation of models of hominin bio-cultural evolution, yet the bulk of data is sourced from sites within Gregory Rift of the East African Rift System. This work presents a new non-rift human origins research region- the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK) using a geodiversity lens. The CHK comprises of Mt. Kenya, Aberdare, Kirisia, Mathews and Nyambene Ranges, with heights ranging from 5199 to 2500 m. Mountain formation produces high geodiversity, which correlates positively with high biodiversity, and potentially impacted hominin radiation and behavioural adaptations in Eastern Africa.

High geodiversity is characterised by variation in soils, precipitation, temperature, elevation, hydrology and geology. The CHK, has high geodiversity, altitude modulated precipitation, and environmental mosaics. These would have provided resources to hominins during adverse climatic regimes. The CHK is also fossil rich, has stone tools spanning the Pleistocene to the Holocene, and fossil hominins dating to 600 ka. We argue that the biodiversity produced by CHK tropical mountains contributed to the evolution of the genus Homo in region.

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Paper 3: High Altitude Archaeology and the Anthropology of Sacred Mountains: A Match Made in Heaven

Over a decade of fieldwork in Andean high-altitude archaeology—including surveys of over one hundred peaks above 5000 meters and the excavation of the world's highest archaeological site—led me to expand my anthropological focus on sacred mountains to a global scale. Applying conceptual and methodological approaches developed from Inca mountaintop shrines, I have examined pilgrimage, offerings, sacrifices, and the role of ritual experts across diverse landscapes in the Pyrenees, Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Central America, Polynesia, Thailand, and Australia. This comparative framework has revealed shared patterns of human interaction with mountains perceived as sacred.

Despite the emergence of glacial archaeology in Scandinavia and high-altitude research in the Alps, early interpretations prioritised hunting, warfare, and trade, neglecting the religious significance of mountain landscapes. My work has challenged this bias. By incorporating pilgrimage, myth, ritual, and cultural tourism, I will discuss the centrality of sacred mountains in shaping regional identities. Furthermore, European alpine traditions have provided unexpected insights into Andean religious practices, underscoring the cross-cultural significance of sacred landscapes in human history and contemporary heritage management.

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Paper 4: Australia’s Earliest High-elevation Occupation

Australia’s Eastern Highlands have traditionally been viewed as a cold-climate barrier to Late Pleistocene (~35,000 – 11,700 years ago) mobility, with older evidence restricted to elevations below the periglacial zone. However, this model has not been adequately tested with regionally specific, high-resolution archaeological data. Here we report excavation results from a high-altitude (1,073m) cave, Dargan Shelter, in the upper Blue Mountains, which indicate that occupation first occurred ~ 20,000 years ago, during the last glacial maximum (LGM), making this the highest elevation Pleistocene site so far identified in Australia. Findings include multiple in situ hearths and 693 stone artefacts, several of which were sourced from sites along the mountain range providing evidence for previously undetected interactions to the north and south and the repeated use of this cold-climate landscape during the Late Pleistocene. Our results align the Australian continent for the first time with global sequences which indicate that cold climates were not necessarily natural barriers to human mobility and occupation.

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Session Abstract:

This session will examine approaches to landscape archaeology in South Asia from the Neolithic to the medieval period, focusing on the enduring aspects of landscapes in the past as gleaned through archaeological remains. The South Asian sub-continent—presently comprised of several nation states—has immense spatial breadth and temporal depth going back to the early dawn of hominin culture as early as two million years BP. South Asia is also home to one of the oldest bronze age civilisations of the world, namely the Harappan civilisation (4th millennium BCE), and numerous early farming communities were established in different ecological zones of the sub-continent. Located in the transitional period between proto and early history, Iron age ‘megalithic’ cultures are found in almost all regions of the sub-continent. The Early Historical (circa 600 BCE to 600 CE) and Medieval periods (circa 600 CE to 1200 CE for the so-called Early Medieval period; circa 1200 CE to 1526 CE for the so-called Late Medieval period) proceed with increasing complexities, engaging with urban landscapes coexisting with rural landscapes. However, despite these complexities, approaches in archaeological investigation continue to be largely culture-historical (i.e. defining a cultural phase based on material remains and studying ‘evolutionary sequences’) and site centric. We argue that there exists a tremendous scope to adopt a ‘landscape’ approach in South Asian archaeology. Even if landscape studies have increased during the last decade, there are still relatively few archaeological examples. This session will include the following broad topics:

a. Theoretical trends in landscape archaeology of South Asia

c. Landscape archaeology of early farming communities (Neolithic to the Iron age)

b. Landscape archaeology and the early historical and Medieval periods in South Asia

Paper 1: Beyond the Mines: Chalcolithic Pattern of Settlement along the Khetri belt

The paper investigates the relationship between archaeological settlement, geographical environments, and human agency in and around the Khetri belt during the Chalcolithic period. A landscape approach was employed to understand settlement patterns, which questions the overemphasis on the Khetri copper mines as the major criterion for chalcolithic settlements. Given the region's arid environment, restricted access to water and arable land, and the presence of mineral resources like copper, understanding the rationale behind settlement location is crucial. This paper aims to explore the relationship between settlements, their locations across different landscapes, and their proximity to natural resources. Using GIS, the diverse landscapes utilised by ancient people in this area, along with the laws of settlement, will be discussed. GIS as a tool further helped in exploring ideas such as elevation, slope, proximity to natural resources, visibility, protection etc., which are some of the basic requirements for settlements. The result of the paper challenges the prior understanding that copper mines were the deciding factor for the chalcolithic settlements.

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Paper 2: Enduring Monuments and Evolving Landscapes: Memories and Legends of Megaliths in Tamil Region, South India

The megaliths are the burial monuments built to commemorate the dead in the Iron Age–Early Historic period, generally dated between 1300 BCE and 300 CE. The megalithic tradition from the Iron Age also continued to exist in the early historical period. Many types of megalithic burials are found in the Tamil region of southern India. Though many scholars have worked on these burial monuments, one aspect that received less attention is the landscape of the burials. For the megalithic burials in the Tamil region, we have a set of contemporary Tamil texts (Sangam Literature) that vividly describe the burial landscape in the early historic period. Over a period of time, these burials and the landscape around them have undergone changes and contemporary people viewed the burials from different perspectives. The medieval inscriptions, the European archival records, and the people’s perceptions in the present day throw light on the nature of the burials and their landscape. This paper attempts to look at the burials and the landscape around them with varied interpretations that were constructed by the people in different periods. It aims to study how the landscape evolved around the burials, how legends were associated with them, and memories are created and preserved.

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Paper 3: Revisiting Ashokan Rock Edict Sites in Andhra Pradesh: Geo-Cultural Dynamics and Historical Continuities

Ashokan rock edicts (258 BCE) are considered a benchmark period for the beginning of Early-Historic culture (300 BCE- 500 CE) in Southern India. Until now, 11 Ashokan rock edict locations have been discovered in the border states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka (south India). These locations are engraved with the Major, Minor, and Kalinga versions of rock edicts. This paper focuses on understanding the geo-cultural landscapes associated with the edict sites of Erragudi/Jonnagiri and Rajulamandagiri in Andhra Pradesh to examine the occupational developments from the pre-Ashokan edicts to the early historic phase. Although the rock edict sites are 30 km apart, they can be subdivided based on landscape features and cultural material. The Earragudi rock edict site exists on a low range of dyke swarm hill, locally known as Yenakonda or Nallayenakonda (black elephant hillock). A preliminary survey of the Earragudi hills yields evidence of water storage points, settlement terraces, and the circular arrangement of boulders (Megalithic circle?), which suggests the use of the site before the presence of the Ashokan rock edict. However, the Rajulamandagiri rock edict complex site is surrounded by granitic formations of tors/knobs. The archaeological features in the edict complex site and environs suggest cultural continuity from the Neolithic to the medieval period. In addition, several temples of the late Early-Historic to medieval period and the inscriptions detailing tax-free land grants signify a continuous human involvement in the landscape. Having such a range of archaeological and cultural potentialities calls for a greater understanding of the Ashokan rock edict sites within the framework of sub-regional developmental studies. With this approach, this paper examines landscape archaeology in the cultural development of Early-Historic and medieval transitions in the trajectory of the Ashokan rock edicts, leading to through the light on the landscaping of early urbanisation.

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Paper 4: Sacred Horizons, Timeless Narratives: Exploring Cultural Landscapes of the Nalanda Hinterland

The Nalanda monastic complex in southern Bihar was a renowned monastic and scholastic establishment, revered internationally for its Buddhist heritage and attracting pilgrims and scholars worldwide. The surrounding hinterland of Nalanda features lesser-known monasteries and structural remains, warranting more rigorous exploration. Archaeological evidence in the region reveals an evolutionary pattern of site development and landscape transformation.

A careful review of the region's environmental history highlights sophisticated water management systems, diverse subsistence strategies, and standardised healthcare practices that contributed to the complex's global renown. This paper adopts a landscape approach to understanding the hinterland, integrating environmental parameters with heritage legacies. Further, with an ethnographic lens, I examine how local communities derive meaning from the ‘past’ and engage in preserving the environment and perpetuating the region's cultural heritage. The research reveals that the heritage is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of local communities, who view it as an integral part of their identity, tradition, and spirituality. Despite centuries of transformation, the complex remains a vital symbol of Buddhist scholarship, spirituality, and cultural heritage, continuing to inspire and influence Buddhist communities worldwide.

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Paper 5: Quarries of Faith: Raw Material Selection and Quarry Pattern in the Sacred Landscape of the Bhojeshwar Temple

The Bhojeshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh, India, stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural ingenuity and religious vision of King Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty. The unfinished temple leaves a greater scope to understand the process of the temple building activity conceived by Raja Bhoj, which is an unprecedented project by any rules of the dynasty. This study investigates the quarrying patterns, techniques and raw material selection that shaped this sacred monument. The temple is renowned for its unfinished grandeur and the massive shivalinga housed within its intricately carved sanctum. By analysing quarry sites, tool marks, and the properties of the stone used, the research highlights the technological and logistical expertise involved in sourcing and transporting materials for the temple's construction.

The study further examines the spatial organisation of the temple complex and its alignment with the surrounding landscape, emphasising its integration into the sacred geography and its role in facilitating ritual practices, including pilgrimage and offerings. By contextualising the temple’s architectural design within the broader religious and cultural framework of medieval India, the research explores the interplay between material choices, construction techniques, and the cultural identity of the region.

Through a multidisciplinary approach combining archaeological survey, architectural analysis, and geospatial data, this study underscores the dynamic relationship between quarrying practices, raw material selection, and the sacred landscape of the Bhojeshwar Temple, offering insights into its enduring spiritual and cultural legacy.

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Paper 6: Maa Sitala and Maladies: Transcorporeality and Pox in Medieval Bengal Landscapes

The pathological patterning of ecological spaces often led to the formation of cognitive landscapes that are reflected through the persistent existence of super-human entities. In most parts of the northern and central Indian sub-continent, belief systems associate physiological human conditions with “more-than-human” entities. Blurring the boundaries between physical and metaphysical bases of human mortality, these beliefs have fuelled the psychological formation of several regional divinities, bridging the gap between the popularly assumed causes of infectious diseases and their corresponding symptoms. In this paper, we discuss the “trascorporeal” existence of Sitala and her correlation with the smallpox epidemic in South Asia by studying the temple-based sculptures of the deity, as well as the scroll painting traditions of south-western Bengal, that continue to orally narrate her stories, called Sitala Mangal. By concentrating on the districts of Bankura and Paschim Medinipur, this paper attempts a re-construction of a disease-based landscape as it evolved between the eighteenth to the twenty first century. It adapts a post-humanist theoretical framework and ethnoarchaeological field-based studies to delve into the liminality of relations between humans and non-humans as they continue to re-negotiate the interrelationships between individual physiology and social beliefs and consequently patterning the landscape of the region.

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Paper 7: Rivers and Life: Understanding the Archaeological Landscape in the Dynamic Landforms of Deltaic and Coastal West Bengal, India

Coastal Bengal, particularly the Gangetic Delta, has a long history of human settlement, and cultural evolution, shaped by the dynamic interplay of environmental factors. This study adopts landscape-based approach to examine archaeological sites in coastal Bengal, highlighting how natural factors such as riverine systems, climatic events, and monsoonal cycles influenced settlement patterns in the prehistoric and historical periods. The region’s dynamic landforms, particularly in coastal West Bengal, present significant challenges for reconstructing past landscapes.

This research uses remote-sensing techniques to analyse landscape transformations over time, particularly changes in the riparian and coastal environments that would have influenced settlement location and connectivity. Differences between past and present geomorphological settings necessitate understanding historical landform development to contextualise archaeological sites effectively. Many sites in the region, supported by archaeological and textual evidence, attained urban status, i.e. ports and cities, underscoring the importance of a holistic perspective on landform dynamics for interpreting the region's archaeological landscape.

For the first time, this study applies well-established remote-sensing techniques and datasets to assess the archaeology of coastal Bengal. As a preliminary report, it highlights the potential of these methods to provide deeper insights into the evolving landscapes of coastal Bengal and their implications for archaeological interpretations.

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Paper 8: Reassessing the Cultural Sequence of Pattanam (Southern India) Stratigraphy: A Systematic Depth-Wise Analysis of Trench Data

Pattanam is a multicultural archaeological site located on India's southwestern coast, where significant material culture has been documented within the 4 metre deep sedimentary archive through excavations. We compiled published records detailing the depth-wise distribution of various artefacts obtained, including metal objects, stone and glass artefacts, pot sherds of both Indian and non-Indian origin, botanical remains, and radiocarbon (C14) dates from multiple trenches. Our systematic analysis of artefact frequency and depth distribution reveals a higher concentration between depths of 1.7 to 3.0 metres, indicating a peak in cultural settlement within this stratigraphic layer. Stratigraphic examinations indicate that the strata containing significant material culture are characterised by a sand-rich composition. In contrast, the sediments above this layer exhibit an increasing concentration of clay and silt fractions. The available C14 dates indicate that the layers with active cultural records predominantly date to approximately 2100 to 2500 years BP, whereas the overlying stratum yield relatively younger ages of less than 2000 years BP. These findings suggest a correlation between settlement patterns and the geological setting of Pattanam, indicating that the decline in the peak phase of the early historic settlement was marked by a compositional change in the sediments, likely occurring after approximately 2100 years B

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Paper 9: The Intertwined Connection Between the Suburban Sites of Mahasthangarh in Bangladesh and the Environment: How to Deal with a ‘Biased’ Landscape

Mahasthangarh is located in the northwestern part of Bangladesh, in the Rajshahi district. Built on a small terrasse known as the Barind tract overlooking the Karatoya River, this fortified site is surrounded by a roughly rectangular rampart about 1.5 km long by 1 km and made of baked bricks. This enclosure wall dates from the 4th-3rd c. BCE and its outline never changed over time, despite several repairs. Thanks to the excavations conducted within the citadel sporadically for almost 150 years, and then systematically over the last 30 years by the Joint Bangladeshi-French Archaeological Mission of Mahasthangarh, we know that the inner-wall site was occupied continuously from at least the 4th c. BCE until at least the 15th c. CE, with phases of dynamism and downturns in building activity. Outside the citadel, archaeologists have identified around 100 suburban sites so far. Those sites are spread all around the fortification and date from different chronological periods. This paper aims at (i) introducing those sites; (ii) discussing possible cultural and environmental factors which affected the choice of their location; (iii) underlining surveying issues and limitations faced nowadays by archaeologists in a densely anthropised landscape.

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Paper 10: Past in the Past: interactions. Between People and the Archaeological Record in the Early Deccan, India

Landscape approaches in south Asian archaeology largely centre on the modern understanding of the past landscape contexts and the archaeological record located within. However, it is rarely examined if and how the past communities were aware of the archaeological record and the details of their engagement with it are seldom looked into. The present paper attempts to delve into two early medieval texts (c. 13th century CE), viz. Chikurde Copperplate inscription and Bhima-Mahatmya, as major representations of how archaeological records were perceived, understood and engaged with by past populations in western Deccan. The study reveals that such interactions were neither uniform in nature, nor inclusive of all the kinds of archaeological records. Multiple factors such as locations and morphology, as well as their place in the larger scheme of the functioning of the settlements, decided the nature of these interactions. These analyses also inform us about the antiquity of the current community perceptions and interactions with the archaeological records by the local rural populations.

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Paper 11: Controlling Landscapes and Erasing Capitals: Remote Sensing Bahmani's Firozabad – A Short-Lived Mediaeval Urban Landscape in South India

This study utilises multi-temporal satellite remote sensing to investigate the earliest planned capital of Deccan, Firozabad in Karnataka. Building on Daniel Contreras's work on the archaeology of human-environment interactions, we examine how the site embodied both Bahmani imperial aspirations and environmental vulnerabilities. Located on the bank of river Bhima, it served as both a strategic military outpost to control the arable lands of Raichur Doab and a cosmopolitan royal complex with ethnically segregated quarters. Despite its ephemeral prominence, the urban layout exposes sophisticated planning such as a riverside royal palace zone, underground aqueducts, and organised bazaars, while the river acted as a natural moat. Hydrological modelling correlates Bhima River's flood history with the theories of the site's abandonment, while spatial patterns show the hierarchal divisions in urban planning. The walled pathway system connecting all fort gates, along with peripheral mounds of the submerged garrisons demonstrate methods of controlled mobility and spatial governance. Though centuries of fluvial dynamics and agricultural encroachments have severely affected the site, this approach reveals how medieval urban landscapes encode power structures even after obsolescence.

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Session Abstract:

In recent decades, there has been a philosophical shift in archaeological research from traditional site-based approaches to more dynamic, landscape-oriented frameworks for understanding and mapping past human mobility. This transition reflects an increasing recognition, both within academic circles and among First Nations communities, that human societies have historically occupied not just physical sites, but entire cultural landscapes and seascapes. These broader conceptualisations of space challenge a conventional focus on campsites, settlements and sacred places.

Cultural landscape mapping has benefited from the rapid development and integration of innovative techniques that capture both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage. Methods now encompass a wide range of geospatial tools, including LiDAR, photogrammetry, geophysics, digital twins, and augmented reality visualisations, alongside increasingly sophisticated approaches for documenting cultural values, toponyms, and individual biographies. These technologies allow for multi-vocal, interdisciplinary research, drawing from fields such as anthropology, ethnography, heritage studies, human geography, and art history.

This session seeks to bring together academic researchers, professional archaeologists, and First Nations people interested in cultural landscape mapping. We welcome contributions from across the globe that explore theoretical frameworks, methodologies, or alternative approaches to this evolving field. All presenters will be invited to join a panel discussion at the end of the session, creating a valuable opportunity to advance the field by sharing experiences, exchanging insights, and exploring diverse perspectives on cultural landscape mapping.

Paper 1: Integrating Remote Sensing Methods for the Study of Corded Ware Culture Burial Mounds in the Eastern Carpathians

The use of modern remote sensing methods, such as LiDAR, satellite imagery, and orthophotos, has become an essential approach for studying archaeological sites, including burial mounds associated with the Corded Ware Culture (CWC) in the Eastern Carpathians. This study aims to present the results of applying these techniques for the identification, monitoring of preservation status, and analysis of the spatial organisation of burial mounds in the Eastern Carpathians. The objectives of the research include analysing LiDAR data for the detection of archaeological sites in challenging natural environments, specifically in mountainous forested areas, and comparing the quality of satellite and orthophoto imagery with LiDAR data in open landscapes and agricultural areas. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of various remote sensing methods for investigating CWC burial mounds across different landscape contexts.

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Paper 2: Archaeology and Ritual Movement in the Australia-Pacific: Lessons Learnt During the Waiet Archaeology Project

First Nation communities across Oceania often attribute a high importance to journeying spirit beings, Cultural Heroes and reforming Ancestors. Also prominent in contemporary narratives and nineteenth century ethnographies are consecrated journeys used by Ancestors to travel to ceremonial grounds and during funerary and initiation rituals. Far less well-articulated in this region is the extent to which this has been commemorated on country in ways that leave behind a material trace and/or continue to influence the lives of people in the present. In this paper we explore this theme in Torres Strait, far northern Australia, with a focus on the trajectory of development of the ‘Waiet’ cult and associated mortuary and initiation rituals. Results explore memorialisation of Waiet in the western and eastern islands, and the extent to which activities altered across time and space. We explore echoes of a shared spiritual heritage that are preserved in stories, songs and stone and emphasise potential for such studies elsewhere in the Australia-Pacific.

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Paper 3: Reconstructing a Dauareb Cultural Landscape: A Multi-disciplinary and Multi-vocal Study of Dauar and Waier Islands in Eastern Torres Strait

Dauareb occupation of Dauar Island, likely began in the mid third millennium BP, culminating in abandonment of this island in the 1920s. In the interim there is evidence for substantive settlement of coastal ‘villages’, also far-flung connectivity incorporating Papua New Guinea and Western Torres Strait. Far less clear is the trajectory of socio-political and ceremonial activities across this cultural landscape and through time. This paper provides a preliminary, environmental and landscape context to previous discoveries, also documents results from the first systematic archaeological survey of the island’s interior. Oral and archaeological histories provide important insights into reconfiguration of this island society towards remembered cosmologies and ceremonial behaviours after 700 years ago. This incorporates a storied landscape stretching between mountains and the sea, incorporating gardens (zogo) shrines, pathways, boundary markers, engravings, fish traps and natural features associated with Dauareb Ancestors.

Presenters: 

Paper 4: Off With the Faeries—Applying Cultural Values Mapping Approaches Developed in Indigenous Cultural Heritage to New Areas of Heritage Practice

This paper presents the results of an ICCROM Research Fellowship project which trialled the use of Australian cultural values mapping methods in the rural parish of Pallasgreen and Templebraden, in the Republic of Ireland. The intent of the research was to investigate how cultural values mapping developed in Indigenous cultural heritage research might be applied in other areas of international heritage practice.

The cultural values mapping identified an array of places, landscape values and traditions that are either not currently identified and protected within the Irish heritage protection framework, or whose social significance values have not been fully understood and are therefore highly vulnerable to cumulative impacts. Many of the features identified in the mapping make important contributions to the distinctive character and history of the parish, and a number of places were considered by the local community to be the most important places associated with the most significant values and enduring traditions in the parish.

The project demonstrated the benefits of cultural values mapping in broadening our understanding of the places and values that have social significance to a community in rural Ireland, and as a powerful adjunct to what existing technical-focused research and protection processes can offer.

Presenters: 

Paper 5: Understanding Cultural Landscapes on Wadawurrung Country

This paper explores the intricate relationships between the First Peoples of Australia and their landscapes, specifically focusing on Wadawurrung Country and how its Traditional Custodians document cultural sensitivities. Unlike the more easily detectable impacts of agriculture, religious sites, and monumental structures observed in the Old-World Archaeology, the First Peoples of Australia, including the Wadawurrung, engage in a deeper, cyclical understanding of the natural environment, centred around the acquisition of resources, landscape use and management, and intangible connections.

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have employed Cultural Values Assessments and cultural mapping as tools to systematically record and protect cultural knowledge, ensuring that both stakeholders (non-sensitive) and the Wadawurrung community have access to information. These assessments are guided by Traditional Custodian knowledge and self-determination, emphasising the importance of intangible values such as stories connected to landscape.

This paper highlights how these practices reflect the ongoing significance of Country in First Peoples' heritage and their efforts to safeguard and carry on their cultural legacy in a contemporary context.

Presenters: 

Paper 6: The Western Renewable Link (WRL) Cultural Heritage Approvals: Landscape, Archaeology, Values, Collaboration, Challenges

The Western Renewable Link (WRL) Project consists of the construction of almost 200km of new transmission line to connect Victoria’s new renewable energy resources to the metropolitan grid. As part of this project, a significant number of environmental approvals have been required, including Aboriginal cultural heritage investigations. The WRL Project approvals are made of 10 Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) taken across five RAP areas. Additionally, the Project has undertaken Cultural Values Assessments (CVAs) and has engaged to deliver benefit sharing arrangements to all TO Groups (TOGs) along the project. The investigations are being completed in a contentious land access environment and the challenging nature of the project has meant that cooperation and flexibility between sponsor and TOGs has been essential to successfully achieve project approval. This paper presents the challenges, findings and learnings of undertaking Aboriginal heritage approvals in a highly contentious environment containing numerous important cultural values, both tangible and intangible.

Presenters: 

Paper 7: Cultural Landscape Mapping on Gunditjmara Country: Perspectives, Approaches and Methods

This paper presents the results of a Strategic Aboriginal Heritage Assessment (SAHA) conducted on Gunditjmara Country in southwest Victoria, part of a Victorian government pilot program to map Aboriginal cultural values at a landscape scale. The SAHA showcased innovative new approaches to cultural values and archaeological sensitivity mapping across the world heritage Budj Bim cultural landscape and the adjacent coastal landscapes and Sea Country of Portland Bay. The SAHA aimed to better understand the range of physical and intangible values embedded within Gunditjmara Country so they can be protected and managed more effectively through the adoption of proactive heritage planning, the implementation of new guidelines and potential amendments to regulation.

The paper will outline Gunditjmara perspectives on the management of cultural landscapes on Country, including a strategic aspiration to achieve a ‘Zero Harm’ approach to heritage management. Then we discuss cultural values assessment and GIS methods used to map and visualise the cultural landscape articulated by the Gunditjmara Knowledge Holders. Including innovative approaches to mapping culturally significant viewsheds across Country and the generation of a Topographic Wetness Index to model the hydrology of the landscape prior to the significant modifications that took place after colonisation

Presenters: 

Paper 8: Dynamics of Landscapes Through Time: The Power of Innovative Approaches to Vegetation Modelling on the A14 (UK) Project

The A14 infrastructure project represented the largest commercial archaeological investigation in the United Kingdom, encompassing 228 hectares of multi-period archaeological landscape in rural Cambridgeshire. This project presented an unprecedented opportunity to reconstruct past environmental conditions through integrated palaeoenvironmental and geoarchaeological analyses. Pollen-based modelling techniques, grounded in on-site records, were employed to map transformations in vegetation cover across three critical archaeological periods: the Iron Age, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon periods.

With these models, the next step was developing an interactive StoryMap, which effectively translated complex scientific data into an accessible, engaging narrative format. This visualisation strategy both improved the understanding of the surrounding landscapes for those reporting on the sites and proved a popular public engagement platform. The combination of rigorous data modelling and the engaging presentation led to the work being shortlisted for an Archaeological Achievement Award.

Presenters: 

Paper 9: Ecological Approach to Cultural Landscapes: Mapping Pre-colonised Ecological Communities

In this study, we illustrate areas of possible ecological value to Aboriginal people before colonisation across Victoria. We do this by digitising a 19th century vegetation map which precedes extensive vegetation clearing following the arrival of Europeans. We illustrate areas of native vegetation loss across the state and according to biogeographic region. Within remaining native vegetation areas, we examine which areas have been impacted by recent disturbance events (e.g., fires, logging). We also present an approach for translating the native vegetation classes from the 19th century vegetation map into modern Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC). The conversion of vegetation classes will permit a comparison of the past vegetation with current vegetation cover. This will allow for speculation as to where ecological values have been lost over time and where they may survive. In this way, ecological values with a cultural dimension will be able to be expressed.

Presenters: 

Paper 10: Features and Distribution of Hunting Blind Sites in Central-western Santa Cruz (Southern Patagonia, Argentina): A Large-Scale Overview

Hunting blinds constitute a characteristic archaeological record of southern Patagonia. In central-western Santa Cruz province (Argentina), they are mainly located in plateaus and exhibit an outstanding frequency. Research carried out in the region indicates that they were used associated with hunting activities and the processing of faunal resources, under logistical/seasonal strategies in the use of these areas.

This work presents the entirety of hunting blinds recorded to date in central-western Santa Cruz. The sample includes more than 1050 structures located on plateaus and high-altitude sectors, identified both in the field and through remote sensing. Using GIS tools, the aim is to identify archaeological patterns on broad spatial scales, linked to their location, morphology, dimensions, association with other evidence and landscape components. The goal is to conduct a thorough and large-scale study of this record enabling a more profound comprehension of how hunter-gatherers utilised plateau environments.

The results obtained indicate that these structures played a central role in the strategies implemented by hunter-gatherer groups for the occupation of these areas during the Late Holocene. The construction of hunting blinds implied the provisioning and reuse of these landscapes.

Presenters: 

Paper 11: Reviewing the Role of Maritime and Aquatic Adaptation in the Neolithisation of the Levant

This paper aims to analyse maritime specialisation and adaptation during the Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic periods of the Levant, associated with the development of agricultural and sedentary lifeways. The narrative of the development of agriculture is informed largely by terrestrial sites and does not often consider the social and cultural implications of ongoing aquatic resource use. In the Levant, whilst aquatic resource use and aspects of maritime adaptations are relatively well documented in the archaeological record, the extent of this specialisation to aquatic ecosystems and its role in the development of the Neolithic is not comprehensively understood, nor is it widely recognised in models for the development of agriculture. In this paper, we address this research gap by synthesising current information on maritime and aquatic resources during the Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic periods in the Levant (ca. 20,000-6000 BC). Available data is modelled using GIS to gain a greater understanding of maritime adaptation and interactions during the Neolithic, providing a visual synthesis of current archaeological research. Through the establishment of a baseline of research for maritime adaptation in the Levantine Neolithic, areas for ongoing research may be identified to explore this often-overlooked aspect of human history.

Presenters: 

Session Abstract:

“Rock art is one of the most valuable links to our Old People that we have today. A direct link. This is not art as we know art to be. These are libraries full of our communal resources. They inform us of our place on Country. They inform us of our obligations, roles and rights. They give us our law and legitimacy. They instil into us our identity: Who we are. If our sovereignty was ‘written’, it was written here, by our Ancestors. By our law holders and still it is here, embedded into the solid rock that is our home.” (John Clarke [EMAC]).

In 2023, on the lands of the Djab Wurrung, Jadawadajali (Wotjobaluk Nations) and Gunditjmara peoples in Gariwerd (Grampians, Victoria), more than 150 Indigenous rangers and Elders from across Australia shared knowledge, experiences and challenges of caring for rock art and cultural heritage places at the Gariwerd Rock Art Management Forum. This transformative event has resulted in a collaborative partnership formed by the session organisers, and we collectively work together to amplify the agency, authority, rights and responsibilities of First Peoples of Australia to drive, design and care for rock art across this diverse nation. Through emphasising the importance of including different narratives and worldviews into heritage management, by providing avenues to consider cultural approaches as fundamental to this, embracing holistic perspectives where archaeology serves as part of the science to tell the story comprehensively. The proposed sessions and panel present an opportunity for First Peoples community-driven collaborations to showcase and celebrate collective approaches to managing rock art as part of biocultural landscapes. Here, narratives and ways of knowing, being and doing are visibly observed and magnified, integrating diverse perspectives to ensure a comprehensive understanding of rock art research, conservation and management.

Paper 1: Reimaging and Self-determination in Rock Art Conservation and Management in Australia

"You know there is a voice in this room. How do we use this voice to our advantage, to be able to make a change moving forward?" (Cissy Gore-Birch at GRAMF)

The Gariwerd Rock Art Management Forum was an event of significant magnitude held in 2023, on the lands of the Djab Wurrung, Jadawadajali (Wotjobaluk Nations) and Gunditjmara peoples in Gariwerd (Grampians, Victoria). With more than 150 Indigenous rangers and Elders from across Australia participating for the week-long opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and challenges of caring for rock art and cultural heritage place. For all involved, the transformative nature of this initiative continues to be explored and embraced. Through the formation of a collaborative partnership, the presenters continue to work together to respond to the Call to Action that was made, continuing to collectively work together to amplify the agency, authority, rights and responsibilities of First Peoples of Australia to drive, design and care for rock art across this diverse nation. Fundamental to this has been the emphasis of self-determination and ownership of processes to manage and conserve rock imagery. Through emphasizing the importance of the intangible as fundamental; by providing avenues to consider cultural approaches inclusive of worldview and narrative; to embrace holistic perspectives where archaeology serves as part of the science to tell the story comprehensively; we will explore these elements in the context of the Call to Action and challenges that continue to intrude on looking after rock art as evidenced in the Greater Gariwerd Cultural Landscape.

Presenters: 

Paper 2: On Country, After Fire: Eastern Maar perspective on Gariwerd 's Cultural Heritage Protection

The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) is the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for Eastern Maar Country and the representative body managing the native title rights of the Eastern Maar Peoples. In partnership with Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (GMTOAC), EMAC also shares responsibilities for the protection and management of Gariwerd. As a RAP, EMAC is committed to preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage across its jurisdiction, with Gariwerd being a key cultural and spiritual landscape. The recent fires in Gariwerd have highlighted the vital and enduring role Traditional Owners play in caring for Country. In the aftermath, several previously unrecorded sites were identified, reflecting both the vulnerability and resilience of cultural heritage in fire-affected landscapes. While programs such as On Country Guardians—offering employment and training for Eastern Maar citizens in heritage and natural resource management—represent important progress, challenges persist. These include barriers to access and the complexities of post-burn management of cultural heritage places, particularly rock art sites. This paper discusses recent developments and ongoing challenges, while emphasising the transformative potential of Traditional Owner-led approaches to caring for Country in the Gariwerd landscape.

Presenters: 

Paper 3: Caring for Kakadu: Cultural Knowledge and Conservation Science Capacity in Graffiti Removal at Kakadu National Park

Protecting Kakadu National Park’s bim (rock art) and cultural heritage places from graffiti is an ongoing challenge. Recent training workshops have brought together Bininj, Mungguy, Kakadu National Park Rangers and staff together with professional conservators to develop practical skills in graffiti removal while ensuring cultural decision-making remains at the forefront of any process. By combining conservation best practices with Traditional Owner knowledge, these workshops have strengthened local capacity to care for culture and Country.

The focus of this work is on long term professional development and community-led site management. Future training will build on past workshops, refining graffiti removal techniques, improving monitoring of treated sites, and embedding conservation knowledge within cultural frameworks. Ensuring Traditional Owners and rangers have the skills and confidence to manage and carry out this work is a key priority.

A major aspect is in the collaboration between cultural custodians and conservation specialists, setting a strong foundation and standard for the future of rock art conservation in Kakadu. The goal is to create a model that supports ongoing skills development, cultural leadership, and the protection of these significant places for future generations.

Presenters: 

Paper 4: Returning Garden Range to the Rightful Taungurung Custodians (Victoria, Australia)

In 2019, Garden Range 2 was formally and legally returned to the rightful custodians, Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC). TLaWC purchased a small area (23ha) of Garden Range through ‘Our Country Our Future’ grants (Australian Commonwealth government’s Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC)). However, this was only the first step on the pathway to Indigenous custodianship of place. Research excavations at the site have indicated that the Ancestors would have had access to a wide range of bioculturally important plants and animals - fresh water molluscs, emu, murnong – and ochre to depict colourful motifs on the granite walls. Traditional cultural practices, for collection and use of these currently absent resources, need a revival through Taungurung custodianship. It is understood that rock art needs ‘protecting’ – but what does protection even really mean for us or our future selves? This paper discusses what Indigenous stewardship of Garden Range could represent – this examination will be presented through exploring the archaeological record of past stewardship, exploring the acquisition of Garden Range as a custodial site, and examining the impacts and responsibility of this multifaceted role as the rightful custodians of place.

Presenters: 

Paper 5: Cultural Practitioners: Caring for the Connected Rock Art of the Kimberley Region

“You look at it from a cultural framing, if you take the kids out on Country for a day, you can see all that play out in its theatrical power and glory… whatever the day’s activity is, the greatest importance is in teaching them the tools for generating the cultural context – teaching them the seasonal calendar, the animals, the plants, where they grow, the importance of respect and the system of values. This is where law and order comes from, this is where it is embedded, this is the criteria given a space on Country where you have your own family values on your ancestral estate, this is your identity that ties you to the foundation of teachings laid down by forefathers and mothers, your Dreaming” (Gordon Smith Jnr 2025). 

Wandjina, Gwion Gwion figures and the rock art of the Kimberley region of Western Australia have long evoked powerful responses from visitors, as shared particularly by non-Indigenous people since first arriving in the region post the colonisation of Australia 200+ years ago. For Aboriginal people, these rock images are a visual representation of 65,000+ years of our living continuous culture – they are powerful beings imbuing universal narrative that interconnect our Country and speak to wunan (law) and liyan (spirit). This will be shared by a group of Wanjina Wungurr custodians and cultural practitioners from the Kimberley including a cultural dancer/singer (KA), cultural caretaker of place (RD), cultural guardian/translator/educator/marja (GS), cultural guide/knowledge interpreter (SN), cultural innovator (LP), culturally-grounded archaeologist/heritage practitioner (MM). Together we explore the cultural contexts of teachings and learnings on Country through wunan and liyan, and how this can inform, transform and shape archaeology and rock art in particular as considered by visitors in the future.

Presenters: 

Paper 6: Representations of the Marrga: Religion in the Rock Art on Yindjibarndi Ngurra

The Ngaarda-ngarli (Yindjibarndi people) look after their country according to Birdarra Law, which was handed down to them by the Marrga, the creation beings, during the creation of the world. The Marrga are depicted in the rock art as tall beings, with long arms, legs and an elongated head, often using different techniques, and they were made (or left in the rock) by the Marrga themselves during the creation times when Birdarra law was codified.

Here the Yindjibarndi people will present on the depiction of the Marrga at two significant cultural places – Garliwinyjinha and Jimarndan. The Marrga at Garliwinyjinha consists of painted motifs with extensive superimposition indicative of the ongoing practice of Birdarra Law. Jimarndan is a cultural complex consisting of engravings along a small creekline with various depictions of the Marrga.

The research, management and protection of places across Yindjibarndi Ngurra can only be done if it is driven by the Ngaarda-ngarli as the full context of these beings are known only to the Yindjibarndi. The depiction of the Marrga at these two sites serve to reinforce and remind the Ngaarda-narli of their roles and responsibilities within Yindjibarndi religion indicating their ongoing reciprocal bond with Country.

Presenters: 

Paper 7: Reconnecting Western Yalanji with the Palmerville Limestone Through Rock Art

Archaeological research on the limestone bluffs of Palmerville Station in Cape York Peninsula conducted 30 years ago had identified deeply weathered engravings, painted art and a record of 30,000 years of occupation. Our 2023-24 project, led by Western Yalanji Rangers in collaboration with an archaeologist, aimed to update site records and deepen understanding of the cultural landscape using a combination of archaeological and cultural perspectives. Our fieldwork focused on reconnecting Western Yalanji people with Country, re-finding recorded sites and understanding cultural protocols for the area. Our approach aimed for a two-way exchange of knowledge—blending rock art theories and methodologies with the Western Yalanji cultural landscape and worldview. Although rock art was central to our study, the benefits extended beyond recording and re-finding sites. Key discussions emerged around cultural protocols, inter-generational knowledge transfer, and the limestone bluffs’ potential for research, tourism and as a teaching landscape. Additionally, the project facilitated conversations between the pastoral lessee and Western Yalanji for the return of the limestone bluffs from cattle station to Western Yalanji management and control.

Presenters: 

Paper 8: Whose Hands Preserve the Paintings? Ethical Dilemmas of Rock Art Conservation in Uruguay’s Cerro Pan de Azúcar

In January 2025, I was invited to join a small group of inchala (siblings) and archaeologists on a sacred visit to what is believed to be the only known Indigenous rock painting site in Uruguay, located in Cerro Pan de Azúcar. As an Indigenous Uruguayan, I had never heard of these paintings. Though claimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, they are poorly protected—surrounded by a fragile fence, open to vandalism and degradation. Nearby caves on private land also contain faded hand stencils, yet remain inaccessible to community members.

This encounter sparked a collective question: now that we know this exists, what do we do? I proposed—knowing its controversiality—reviving ancestral painting practices with guidance from neighbouring Indigenous communities and archaeological support, to restore the works as a form of (re)connection. The responses were mixed: some viewed the idea as disrespectful, others remained silent, and one person expressed interest in exploring the ethics further.

This paper reflects on the ethical tensions surrounding preservation, access, and authority. It asks: who decides what counts as care? And how can protection of sacred rock art be grounded in Indigenous sovereignty, within a national context that has long denied our existence?

Presenters: 

Paper 9: Emergency Management Responses and the Challenge to Care for Country

Bushfires have been occurring in Victoria with more regularity and intensity than ever before. Increasingly, the influence and unpredictability of human induced climate change is coming to the fore and irrespective of the amount of pre-burning and planning you’re doing, on a bad day, anything can burn. Our challenge now is how we plan for these overwhelming bushfires (natural or otherwise) and ensure the recognition of Indigenous knowledges and worldview (cultural ways of knowing, being and doing) are integrated into emergency management systems (EMS) which fundamentally require quick decisions in the face of unknown and unpredictable conditions. A further hurdle are that skills and qualifications of senior Cultural Knowledge Holders are not always transferable to an EMS context; while they can be equally shifted from where they need to be to provide cultural advice in a related although less urgent context. Critical to this are local relationships and partnerships between State Government and community. When others external to areas are involved, they look to policies and procedures that can interrupt cultural processes and impact relationships.

Our presentation will focus on these challenges from our perspectives on Gunditjmara Country in south-west Victoria, Australia. Here, we will consider how cultural burning activities and caring for heritage and Country practiced by Gunditjmara for generations can inform and assist with EMS – both before and after bushfire events. This includes the World Heritage Listed Cultural Landscape of Budj Bim, as well as the National Heritage Listed Greater Gariwerd (Grampians) Cultural Landscape which we are connected to. 

Presenters: 

Session Abstract:

Collaborative and Community-Engaged Scholarship (CES) is an important topic in our profession, encompassing a growing diversity of activities. We continue a decade discussing issues and best CES practices in archaeology. This session displays a commitment to conducting research and historic preservation in effective partnership with multiple stakeholders as a matter of fairness, ethics, and as a way to create and co-create robust and useful final products.

Archaeological projects affect Indigenous peoples, local residents, and descendant communities in many ways. These groups often have relatively little input into what ‘others’ say about, or do with, their heritage. We advance inclusive, community-engaged scholarship that is co-created with relevant communities. The goal of this session and many of the projects discussed is to use community involvement and participation as a way not only to give a voice to groups that have been essentially voiceless but to empower all stakeholders – especially on projects that involve ‘multiple pasts.’ We discuss the various types of CES as defined by Doberneck, Glass and Schweitzer (2010), including Research and Creative Activities, Teaching and Learning, Service and Practice, and Commercialised Activities. We also discuss trajectories of developing relationships and projects that can become respectful, useful, and productive CES.

Paper 1: Introduction to the Session on Collaborative and Community Archaeology

Collaborative and Community-Engaged Archaeology (or any of the new terms that come into play on a regular basis) continues to be an important and relevant topic in our profession, involving an ever increasing (and often innovative) range of activities. This session displays a commitment to conducting research and historic preservation in effective partnership with multiple stakeholders as a matter of fairness, ethics, and as a way to create robust and useful final products. Archaeological endeavours affect Indigenous peoples, local residents, and descendant communities in many ways. It is clear that successful projects establish broad-scale community rapport—caring, listening, and being honest—effectively building trust and relationships. Obviously, it is critical to understand and to acknowledge ideological differences between non-tribal archaeologists and the indigenous community, especially concerning potential intersections of the material & spiritual worlds. There are many archaeologists/heritage preservations groups working across the world who are committed to conducting research (and other types of historic preservation projects) with a unique spectrum of stakeholders. It is also evident that we all share a common awareness of the usefulness of community involvement and are achieving good results and are taking the time to record our work.

Presenters:

Paper 2: Preserving Meghalaya's Heritage: The Role of Community and Archaeology

Meghalaya, a state in northeast India, is home to the Indigenous Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes, celebrated for their rich cultural heritage. This paper examines how heritage sites in Meghalaya become collaborative spaces where archaeology and local communities work hand-in-hand to safeguard and reinterpret these sites as open-air museums. It emphasises the pivotal role of community involvement in preserving and sharing the stories, traditions, and histories of these places through mapping, storytelling and cultural practices. By bridging the past and present, such initiatives inspire younger generations to connect with their ancestral heritage and gain insights into the way of life of earlier times.

The paper further highlights the unique ways in which Indigenous communities value their heritage through spiritual practices, oral histories, and megalithic traditions. Through a combination of archaeological methodologies—including exploration, excavation, and digital heritage tools—and community-led conservation efforts, the study showcases how these practices have bridged gaps between archaeologists and local communities. Together, they have fostered sustainable heritage management, while ensuring that traditional knowledge systems and rituals keep these heritage sites meaningful and relevant.

By focusing on the heritage practices of the Khasi community, the paper illustrates how an abandoned settlement was transformed into an open-air museum. This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of integrating traditional and archaeological methods to prevent site deterioration and to celebrate the enduring significance of Meghalaya’s cultural legacy.

Presenters:

Paper 3: Preserving Voices: A Collaborative Approach to Documenting the Sac and Fox Mission School Oral Histories

Collaborative archaeology prioritises projects that centre community members' knowledge, voices, and leadership. A collaborative approach empowers communities traditionally excluded from archaeology to take an active role in shaping how their heritage is represented. The Sac and Fox Mission School in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, opened in 1872 and closed by 1917. Within this paper I explore the community-engaged process between the Sac and Fox nation and myself, resulting in an oral history project documenting descendants' stories about the Sac and Fox Mission School. These stories reflect the voices of community members and hold critical historical value, representing a past that is often overlooked. Community members believe these narratives should be preserved and shared, instead of forgotten, to authentically portray the Sac and Fox experience in Native American boarding schools. Although some may dismiss these accounts as hearsay, due to the lack of remaining attendees, these stories are important to descendants of those who lived through them. The goal of this work is to examine why these narratives are significant and how they can support advocacy efforts for boarding school survivors, attendees, and their descendants and serve as a foundation for sustainable community-driven projects.

Presenters:

Paper 4: Role of Public Archaeology in Heritage Management: A Case Study of Konkan Geoglyphs, Maharashtra, India

Archaeological study has always been multidisciplinary. Social sciences, earth sciences, along with the statistical study, is essential to understanding earlier events in the order of existence, but just understanding the past, publishing newly documented data and deciphering the unknown past should not be the end of any archaeological research. The reason behind this is that people and locals of the villages are often unaware of the treasure they have beneath them. In a country like India, where every village holds some evidence of the past, public archaeology and public awareness hold an important spot in heritage management.

The authors have documented 200+ geoglyph sites in the region and documented 2500+ geoglyph carvings. From the early explorations the main emphasis has been on public awareness programs taken at different sites and levels, which helped the locals to understand and become aware of the heritage they have. The authors have taken their work as a case study to highlight the importance of public archaeology and public involvement in heritage research and studies.

Presenters:

Paper 5: Megaliths in Transition: Exploring the Intersection of Archaeological Sites, Communities and the Landscape

Megaliths serve as enduring monuments that reflect burial practices spanning the Iron Age to the Medieval period. These funerary traditions exhibit significant spatial and temporal variations worldwide, with a particularly rich presence in India, especially in the southern regions. Extensive excavations in India have documented numerous megalithic sites, classified typologies, analysed grave goods, and established chronological frameworks. However, these burials face much erasure and disturbance due to anthropogenic and natural factors. Despite this, limited research has explored the relationship between megaliths, the contemporary landscape, and local communities. This study examines eleven megalithic burial sites in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India, with the objective of understanding the impact of human activities on the changes and destruction that occur to these burials over a four-year period (2018–2021). Through systematic periodic surveys, conversations with local communities and remote sensing, this research aims to elucidate the evolving interactions between megaliths, local communities, and landscape transformations. In order to protect these sites, it is important to create a more detailed picture of these interactions.

Presenters:

Paper 6: Community and Collaborative Archaeology in Bodhgaya: Local Engagement and Global Connections

This presentation explores the intersection of community and collaborative archaeology in Bodhgaya, emphasising the role of local communities and international collaborations in preserving and developing this significant Buddhist site. Bodhgaya holds immense spiritual value, attracting engagement from international Buddhist communities, scholars, and heritage organisations. This paper examines how these diverse stakeholders contribute to archaeological preservation, cultural diplomacy, and economic development, fostering a shared commitment to heritage conservation.

While Japan’s contributions remain central—driven by deep-rooted Buddhist connections and broader strategic interests—this discussion broadens the perspective to include international Buddhist communities and organisations. Their involvement in funding, conservation efforts, and pilgrimage infrastructure reflects a collective investment in Bodhgaya’s global spiritual identity. India’s willingness to embrace these collaborations is shaped by shared cultural ties and the mutual recognition of heritage as a bridge for deeper connections. The Bihar Archaeology Department plays a key role in facilitating these efforts, ensuring that local voices remain integral to preservation initiatives.

By examining Bodhgaya as a site where diverse yet spiritually connected communities converge, this presentation underscores the evolving nature of community archaeology. It offers insights into how collaborative efforts across borders shape the preservation, management, and contemporary relevance of archaeological heritage.

Presenters:

Paper 7: PALEOHER India: Advancing Prehistoric Research through Science, Community Engagement, and Global Collaboration

The Indian subcontinent plays a pivotal role in global discussions on prehistoric human occupation, migration, paleoclimate reconstructions and faunal extinctions. Since the discovery of a prehistoric stone tool at Attirampakkam in 1863, research in Indian prehistory has progressed significantly. However, interdisciplinary scientific studies, outreach efforts, and community engagement remain underrepresented. Over the past decade, Palaeoclimate Ecology and Heritage Research (PALEOHER) India has emerged as a transformative initiative bridging these gaps. What began as independent efforts has now taken a structured form, actively fostering scientific communication and community-driven research. Through training programs, publications, podcasts, and outreach activities, PALEOHER integrates rigorous scientific inquiry with public participation. A major milestone is PALEOSCHOOL, a field-based training initiative that began with a self-funded expedition in the Narmada Valley. Today, it is one of the most sought-after programs for young researchers and enthusiasts, blending academic knowledge with hands-on experience in prehistoric archaeology. Looking ahead, PALEOHER is expanding its horizons through global collaborations to further its mission. By fostering interdisciplinary studies and international partnerships, PALEOHER aims to preserve prehistoric heritage, ensuring its scientific and cultural significance is safeguarded for future generations.

Presenters:

Paper 8: From Mounds to Memories: The Role of Community in Heritage Management

This paper underscores an urgent need for a paradigm shift from top-down heritage management to a more inclusive and community-led approach. Heritage conservation should not be confined to professionals alone, but it should be a collective mission rooted in local identity, knowledge, and active participation. Through two case studies from Haryana, India, we have highlighted the transformative role of community involvement in preserving important heritage sites. The first case examines Bhoj Balig, a historically rich yet largely unrecognised village in Panchkula district. Due to minimal research and awareness, its cultural heritage remains vulnerable and overlooked. The second case focuses on Rakhigarhi, in district Hisar—the largest and most significant Harappan site—which now faces severe threats from encroachment and improper practices. Increasing conflicts between local communities and authorities further endanger the site, leading to environmental degradation and heritage loss. Addressing such challenges requires careful strategy, community-driven solutions that empower local stakeholders as custodians of their heritage. By fostering a sense of ownership, encouraging sustainable practices, and bridging gaps between authorities and communities, we can safeguard these invaluable sites.

Presenters:

Paper 9: Beyond Boundaries: Reinterpreting Heritage Through Mapping and Representation

Heritage conservation today is at a crossroads, balancing the need to preserve cultural identity without being extremist, and it should also fulfill the demands of contemporary urban life. The field itself is continuously pushing its boundaries by redefining what is heritage. Adaptive reuse emerges as a key strategy in this discourse, offering plausible solutions that retain the historical essence of structures while repurposing them for modern needs. However, the success of such initiatives relies not just on architectural intervention but also on fostering a deep-rooted appreciation for culture among younger generations. Engaging youth in heritage studies through education and digital platforms and exposing them to participatory design approach can bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Digital storytelling, interactive heritage mapping, and community-driven projects can empower young individuals to reimagine historic spaces. By innovating in the possibilities of adaptive reuse with youth-led initiatives, conservation efforts can move beyond passive preservation to active, evolving dialogues that ensure long-term cultural continuity. It advocates for inclusive policies that make conservation accessible, participatory, and future-ready. Through this approach, heritage is not just preserved—it is revitalised and reinterpreted for future generations.

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Paper 10: Cákuwen: Collaborative Archaeology in the Amazon Region of Colombia. Rock Art and Ancestral Memories of the Inírida River

The Inírida River Rock Art Research Project in the Amazon region of Colombia is developed by an interdisciplinary team of Colombian and Spanish scholars, in collaboration with the Guainía Community Museum and the Indigenous communities in the study area. This archaeological project is based on participatory research (PR) and public archaeology principles, promoting the collective construction of knowledge. Instead of approaching the subject from an external perspective, the team actively involves community members, critically integrating scientific contributions with local knowledge. Among the methodologies used, participatory mapping stands out, as it is employed both for locating rock art sites and facilitating the dialogue of knowledge. Semi-structured qualitative interviews are also conducted to gather local narratives about pre-Hispanic glyphs, reflecting the academic involvement in the revaluation and recovery of ancestral culture, centred on rock art and Indigenous ontologies as an interpretation of this materiality.

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Paper 11: Staying Open: Allowing Space for the Emergence of Impactful Community Heritage Projects

The North Brentwood Community Heritage Project developed out of a conversation in December of 2019 between myself and a town councilmember, Evan Dame. I was open to hearing about his community and its heritage. He was open to hearing the work that I do at the university. Together, we saw the potential for a partnership that supported the community’s heritage goals and provided important opportunities for my students to engage directly in community practice. The success of this project has relied on the ability to be flexible and to develop networks that enable the project to support community goals and address their concerns. To date, we have engaged in archaeological excavation and analysis, digital documentation, the development of a heritage walking tour, and an inventory of the museum collections.

Centring community goals creates an environment in which archaeologists act as a broker between established organisations and community partners. It creates space to develop new collaborations with students and researchers to produce a range of deliverables and services that communities find valuable. This approach is slow, and requires archaeologists to maintain humility and accept their own ignorance in order to identify the right partners for specific tasks and deliver what’s needed.

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Paper 12: Looking Back for the Future: Communities, Cemeteries, and Collaboration in the American South

There is a crisis in the United States, particularly in the American South, to find and preserve the remaining historic African American and Indigenous cemeteries. In the 20th century, many of these significant heritage sites were lost to ‘development’, movements of communities of people of colour away from racist laws and government, and inconsistent record keeping. Meanwhile, white cemeteries were often preserved, especially those in affluent communities. Today there are efforts across the American South to locate, document, and preserve African American and indigenous cemeteries. In this presentation, I will discuss several efforts in North Carolina to achieve these goals, including work by a government agency to improve databases and maps of cemeteries, community lead research efforts that employ archaeologists as preservation specialists and lobbyists, and network-building amongst heritage management professionals.

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Session Abstract:

Rigorous parameters form the foundation of archaeological heritage protection, aimed at mitigating damage to materials, sites and the values embedded in them, as established by legal frameworks, charters, and conventions. However, the evolution and continuous redefinition of criteria and practices of archaeological heritage management reflect a growing awareness of diverse social contexts and local claims, along with an expanded understanding of what constitutes heritage. At the same time, the field faces unprecedented challenges, including conflict, forced migration, climate change, uncontrolled urbanisation, and over-tourism. These factors have prompted critical discussions about the multifaceted issues and complex variables contributing to the endangerment of heritage. In light of these changes, it is essential to reassess how ‘endangered’ archaeological sites are understood and addressed in the current global context, both theoretically and practically.

This session, sponsored by the ICOMOS Scientific Committee, the International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM), seeks case studies that offer novel and critical approaches, experiences, and reflections on managing endangered archaeological sites, focusing on recent adaptations and emerging pressures. The aim is to critically examine what it means to engage with endangered sites today by examining the concept of ‘endangered’ and its implications for heritage management goals and strategies. Rather than establishing a set of best practices, this session aspires to foster a more contextualised, realistic, and informed understanding of the contemporary heritage landscape, helping to identify the needs and expectations of archaeological practice on a global scale.

Paper 1: Preserving the Vanishing Past: Addressing Threats to Early Buddhist Monasteries and Rock Art Sites in Ladakh

The fragile cultural heritage of Ladakh, nestled in the high-altitude trans-Himalayan region, faces mounting challenges from climate change, human interference, and neglect. This paper focuses on two significant yet endangered aspects of Ladakh's heritage: the early Buddhist monasteries and rock art sites.

Ladakh's early Buddhist monasteries, often precariously perched on cliff edges, embody centuries of spiritual and architectural ingenuity. However, their deteriorating condition, exacerbated by harsh climatic conditions and inadequate conservation efforts, threatens to erase vital chapters of the region's religious and cultural history. Similarly, Ladakh's rock art sites, featuring carvings and petroglyphs dating back to prehistoric and historic periods, are increasingly endangered by vandalism, urban expansion, and lack of public awareness. These invaluable cultural markers not only provide insight into the spiritual and social fabric of the region but also highlight Ladakh’s connections with broader trans-Himalayan cultural landscapes.

This presentation aims to address the urgent need for comprehensive documentation, community participation, and sustainable conservation strategies for these sites. By showcasing their historical significance and the risks they face, it advocates for integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques to ensure their preservation.

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Paper 2: Charaideo Moidams of Assam, India – A Quest for UNESCO World Heritage

Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty comprise a unique sepulchral burial system located in different parts of the state of Assam, India. Primarily concentrated in Charaideo and Sivasagar in Assam, these mound burials, forming the Ahom necropolis, lie to the south of the Charaideo city, the first city established by Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha (1228 – 1268 CE), the founder of the Ahom kingdom in mediaeval Assam, at the foothills of the Patkai hills range. Siu-Ka-Pha was a Tai prince, who was originally from Mong Mao, currently situated in Yunnan (China), and under his leadership a branch of Tai Ahom clan reached the upper Brahmaputra river valley in Assam. The Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Assam, has indulged in continuous efforts since 2018 towards systematic research, conservation and restoration of these medieval mounds. Owing to their Outstanding Universal Value, these mounds became a part of the World Heritage Tentative List of UNESCO in 2014 and were subsequently inscribed as a World Heritage Monument in 2024. This paper deals with the nuances of community participation, continuity of ancient rituals and modern day archaeological research and heritage conservation, which ensures protection of age-old heritage areas for posterity.

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Paper 3: Pandemics and Heritage: Understanding the Impact of Covid-19 on Archaeotourism in South Africa

This research investigates the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on archaeotourism in South Africa, focusing on three public visitation sites: Origins Center Museum (Wits University), Giants Castle Game Reserve (Kwa-zulu Natal Province), and Sterkfontein Caves (Gauteng Province). The study employs a comparative analysis, with qualitative data from Kruger National Park, utilising SANParks Annual reports to understand the pandemic's effects on nature-based sites. The objectives included presenting pre- and during Covid-19 archaeotourism contexts, describing risk preparedness frameworks, assessing visitor numbers/profiles, analysing coping strategies during lock downs, comparing impacts on culture and nature sectors, and proposing disaster preparedness improvements. Results reveal both positive and negative impacts on archaeological sites and their communities. The pandemic led to a notable growth in local tourism, with domestic visitors surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, the decline in international tourists, a major revenue source, poses long-term challenges. Game reserves adapting to virtual tourism experienced relatively less negative impact, suggesting its under exploited potential in South Africa's cultural tourism sector. Limitations included the absence of accurate visitor statistics, relying on less precise sources like visitor books. The study lacked data for Sterkfontein, and access issues hindered interviews with private concessions in Kruger National Park. Existing literature was Asia-focused, emphasising the reliance on primary data from the study sites. Despite challenges, the study identifies an emerging trend of increased local tourism, indicating potential resilience in the post-pandemic period. The decline in international visits and the impact on tour companies emphasise the need for long-term strategies. The study recommends expanding the dataset for a comprehensive analysis, capturing more accurate visitor numbers and income data. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of archaeotourism in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. It sheds light on the sector's adaptability, challenges, and the untapped potential of virtual tourism, offering a foundation for further exploration and strategic planning in disaster preparedness and recovery for cultural heritage sites.

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Paper 4: An Insight into the Kotha: A Forgotten Heritage in Garhwal Himalaya

Vernacular architecture plays a significant role in shaping the identity of a region, reflecting its physical setting, climatic conditions, economic status, and cultural heritage. One such significant vernacular architectural style in the Garhwal region of the Central Himalayas is the Kotha or Kwotha. A Kotha is a fortified residential structure that embodies a unique blend of classical and folk architectural elements, making it a distinctive style in the Garhwal Himalayan region. Its construction was guided by the ancient Indian architectural science of Vastu Shastra, while incorporating various aspects of folk traditions. These structures not only reflect the historical connection between Garhwal and other parts of India but also played an essential role in religious, social, economic, and pilgrimage activities. For a long time in the history of Garhwal, Kothas symbolised high administrative, religious, and social status in society. Despite their unique architectural style and socio-political significance, these heritage structures are now on the verge of disappearing. This paper explores various aspects of Kothas, including their architectural significance, cultural importance, and historical value. It aims to highlight their role in shaping the identity of the Garhwal Himalayas and emphasises the urgent need to preserve this invaluable heritage before it is lost.

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Paper 5: Aspects of the Japanese Kofun, Including Imperial Tombs as Cultural Heritages: Between Social and Academic Contexts

Before the formation of an imperial state with a legal system in Japan, many huge keyhole-shaped tumuli—Kofun—over 200 m in length, were built between the third and sixth centuries. Certain tumuli have been identified as the burial sites of early emperors. whose names are listed in the later eighth century documents Nihonshoki and Kojiki. Based on historical studies, we know that such documents are unreliable for the period before the sixth century. In 2019, the Mozu–Furuichi Tumuli Groups, which include some of the largest tumuli built in the fifth and sixth centuries, were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this process, several tombs were registered by name as the mausoleums of ancient emperors. These designations can be set in the context both of unverified ancient writings and of the nationalistic political trend of pre-modern customs but are unsupported by archaeological evidence. Although most Japanese archaeologists have protested against this non-academic identification, their arguments have lacked strength. This may result from Japanese archaeologists not yet having developed methods to assess 3rd to 6th century monuments independently of ancient texts. Japanese archaeologists have been influenced, either directly or indirectly, by ancient texts.

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Paper 6: ICAHM and its Recent Activities

ICAHM as a Scientific Committee of ICOMOS has its origins in the Nordic countries with a substantial input by Australian archaeologists in the drafting of the Lausanne Charter of 1990. This year ICAHM is holding its Annual Meeting in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, from May 12th to 16th. Of particular interest with respect to WAC and endangered cultural heritage are two ICAHM initiatives. Firstly, the ICAHM Illicit Trafficking Working Group that is driven by the Antiquities Coalition and yet again on the international stage ICAHM members working with the Antiquities Coalition to strengthen the G20 agenda actions to combat looting and trafficking.

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Paper 7: Chancay’s Vanishing Heritage: Archaeological Practice, Ethics and the Loss of Pre-Hispanic Sites in Coastal Peru

This presentation discusses the political and economic forces that have shaped the excavation, preservation and eventual loss of pre-Hispanic sites of the first millennium AD in the lower Chancay Valley, on the north-central coast of Peru. Through a genealogical approach, it critically analyses the intersection of archaeological practice, state heritage policy, and illegal activities over the past century, which have contributed to a condition of permanent endangerment of sites associated with Lima (100 - 700 AD) and Chancay (900 - 1533 AD) cultures. Unlike high-profile archaeological sites that benefit from extensive media attention and conservation efforts, sites in the lower Chancay Valley have faced systematic destruction and neglect, despite their foundational role in establishing early archaeological knowledge and cultural sequences of the central Peruvian coast. This paper argues that Peruvian archaeology and heritage policies have largely failed to sustain public appreciation and heritage values associated with certain pre-Hispanic materialities or regions. It identifies key factors contributing to this failure, as exemplified by this locale, including diaspora of antiquities, the commodification of archaeology, and the lack of heritage socialisation. The paper further discusses the implication of these issues for the future of heritage management in Peru.

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Paper 8: The Cumberland Plain: An Endangered Archaeological and Cultural Landscape

The Cumberland Plain in NSW, Australia, associated with several First Nations groups, is an endangered archaeological and cultural landscape. The unceasing impacts of uncontrolled urbanisation and lack of conservation-focused state heritage legislation continue to endanger heritage within this biogeographic region. The piecemeal approach to impact assessments and the absence of effective legislative frameworks to assess and protect cultural values, experienced in the compliance sector, precludes an understanding of the cumulative detrimental impacts of urbanisation on heritage and Country. A case study from south-west Sydney, Country associated with the Dharug, Dharawal, and Gundungurra people, illustrates the impact of urbanisation and legislative issues while also providing a methodology to mitigate impacts of development. We apply a high-resolution multi-proxy approach utilising a range of geoarchaeological, lithic, and photogrammetry analyses to recover information that would have otherwise been lost due to destruction. Our scientific analyses are carried out in tandem with First Nations perspectives that enrich our knowledge of the cultural values associated with the site and wider cultural landscape. This approach enables a deeper understanding of temporality and significance and exemplifies the importance of reassessing how endangered archaeological sites are investigated and managed in the context of uncontrolled urbanisation and ineffective legislative frameworks.

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Paper 9: Juukan Gorge: The Story of Destruction and Rebuilding

On 24 May 2020 the world was shocked to learn of the destruction of Juukan Gorge as part of mine development of Rio Tinto. Blasting of the gorge included severe damage to rockshelters known to be over 30,000 years old and containing a unique cultural history of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama People. Public outcry ensued, the Australian Federal Government conducted a Parliamentary enquiry, and heritage protection legislation was changed. This paper is provided by the PKK and those who assisted with the archaeological investigations; originally and now as Juukan Gorge is rehabilitated. In the paper we present the history of the destruction, why it happened, the attempts to move forward and discuss a better way of managing heritage.

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Paper 10: Heritage of a Shared Estate: Archaeological Investigations at Perth Airport

Located in the midst of the capital city of Western Australia, the present-day Perth Airport estate, with its extensive woodlands and wetlands, was a colonial and 20th century refuge and camping ground for the Noongar people of the region. Throughout social changes and various airport expansions, Noongar people visited the largest wetland, Munday Swamp, and they still celebrate the spiritual and physical connectivity of local waterways through the airport grounds. This significance complements archaeological findings from compliance investigations over the last 50 years, which have mapped some 50 pre-colonial and colonial-era sites on dune sands deposited around various wetlands in the estate. Recent archaeological excavations demonstrate a chronostratigraphic record of intensive occupation around Munday Swamp extending from 41,000 years ago to the AD 1800s. This archaeological record affirms the enduring importance of Munday Swamp in Noongar history. Its management highlights the tension between these values and planned construction of a new runway and taxiways adjacent to the swamp and over one of the oldest sites. We conclude with the issues raised in community consultations in 2024 and how Noongar culture is commemorated and considered in the operations of an expanding aviation hub.

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Session Abstract:

The historical relationship between archaeology and extractivism is addressed, emphasising how science and archaeology have been linked to the exploitation of conquered and colonised territories. Colonialism and the expansion of imperialism considered both the plundering of natural resources and the collection of cultural elements to study them, including the appropriation of traditional knowledge and scientific expeditions that motivated the collecting of objects, human remains and collections that led to global trade networks. The emergence of archaeology supported the construction of biased representations of native cultures, justifying the exploitation of communities and local knowledge, the excavation of sites and cemeteries, and the collection of samples and collections for scientific purposes.

The formation of nation-states perpetuated this model of scientific extractivism, with museums established for the exhibition of these collections and spectacles such as museums and human zoos, reinforcing nationalist and hegemonic discourses supported by the development of archaeology. The global advance of capitalism and the consolidation of extractive and neoliberal economic models has also led the development of large-scale industries and investment projects, which represent an important source of employment for archaeologists under the auspices of contract archaeology, often criticised for its instrumentalisation in service of economic interests and political clientelism, without considering the impacts on local communities and the environment.

This session proposes a critical reflection on the relationship between archaeology and different forms of extractivism, emphasising its connection with scientific extractivism and the production of knowledge, while examining how extractive industries influence archaeological praxis, protection of archaeological heritage and the development of knowledge about the past. Furthermore, it seeks proposals and reflections on how archaeology can contribute to the decolonisation of the sciences and the production of knowledge. In this framework, papers are invited that address various aspects related to the intersection between archaeology, extractivism and decolonisation.

Paper 1: Case Study: Archaeology and Employment Work Experiences of Undergraduate Students and Graduates in Archaeology from the University of Tarapaca, Chile

This research undertakes an analysis based on the professional experiences of students and graduates from the University of Tarapaca, who are part of a specialised labour market focused on archaeological work. Given that this field is relatively recent, development projects involving soil removal must adhere to environmental regulations, which stipulate the financing of archaeological research in areas with environmental impact. The primary aim of this study is to examine the process of labour integration through professional experiences in Chile, employing interviews and testimonies to gain a deeper understanding of the implications of contract archaeology, as well as its impact on the labour market and the professional responsibilities inherent in this type of work.

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Paper 2: Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management: Reflections on its Role in the Bolivian Extractivist Paradigm

Since its colonial origins, Bolivia has historically been economically linked to extractivism. Perhaps the most notable example of this relationship over time is the exploitation of the Cerro Rico de Potosí during colonial times. Thanks to its diverse territory, Bolivia is very rich in natural resources and extractive activities are developed that have an economic, but also social and environmental, impact. However, due to various historical factors and the late development of modern archaeology in Bolivia, it was not relevant to the emerging relationship of capitalist exploitation. Nevertheless, as elsewhere, this systematicity acquired over time and the broad study of a society was not exempt from its participation in scientific, political and military expeditions of the state, plunder, the accumulation of national wealth and colonialism (Gran-Aymerich, 2001). It was not until the neoliberal period and consequently the socialist development of the country that archaeology in the form of contract archaeology became important. In this sense, we explore its relationship with Environmental Impact Studies in mining projects, hydrocarbons, roads, protected areas and urban archaeology development in Bolivia. This reflection aims to contribute to understanding not only its connections and critique with the paradigm of extractivism, but also to offer an overview of how archaeology contributes to the production of knowledge and how it connects with Bolivian society.

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Paper 3: The Diaspora of pre-Columbian Objects/Bodies from the Atacama: Extractivism, Collecting and Global Networks in the 19th to the 21st Centuries

Pre-Columbian objects/bodies from Atacama not only held value and articulated social relations in pre-European times. They do it to this day and from at least the nineteenth century onward. Undoubtedly, their past value was changed in these new contexts, but what did not change was their amazing ability to bring individuals and institutions together across time and space, even across continents and generations. The bonds forged in the acquisition, circulation and possession of these ancient objects/bodies, formed a global network of relationships between humans and things. Such a web was not woven randomly but warped within the extractivist fever of guano, saltpetre, copper, silver and gold exploitations. The biographies of pre-Columbian objects/bodies from Atacama are an extraordinary source for understanding the social scenario in which they were extracted, exchanged, accumulated, assembled, inherited and exhibited across centuries. This presentation is the result of several years of research in museums, art galleries, auction houses, universities and private collectors in Chile, America and Europe. An intervention whose main objective is to discuss the role and agency of these pre-Columbian objects/bodies not in their pre-Columbian era, but in our recent past and in the configuration of our present culture.

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Paper 4: Organizaciones Patrimoniales Indígenas de la Precordillera de Arica frente al Qhapaq – Ñan, un Patrimonio Mundial de la Humanidad (Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile)

Indigenous Heritage Organisations of the Arica Precordillera Before the Qhapaq-Ñan, a World Heritage Site (Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile)

En 2014, el Qhapaq Ñan, también conocido como Camino Inca o Camino Principal Andino, fue reconocido como Patrimonio Mundial por la UNESCO, lo que llevó a países como Chile a adaptar sus políticas patrimoniales y turísticas. En Chile, el Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales, a través del Servicio Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural, lideró su nominación y patrimonialización. En la región de Arica y Parinacota, diversos actores sociales, incluyendo instituciones públicas, empresas turísticas y comunidades indígenas, participaron en este proceso.

Las comunidades indígenas de la precordillera de Arica fueron consideradas actores clave y, bajo las políticas del Estado chileno, promovieron acciones de gestión, conservación y difusión del Qhapaq Ñan. Este estudio, desde un enfoque etnográfico, analiza las definiciones y acciones patrimoniales emprendidas por cuatro organizaciones indígenas, evaluando el impacto del proceso patrimonializador en su territorio. Se busca comprender su perspectiva sobre la gestión del Qhapaq Ñan y si han desarrollado enfoques alternativos que redefinan los discursos patrimoniales oficiales.

In 2014, the Qhapaq Ñan, also known as the Inca Trail or the Main Andean Trail, was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, prompting countries like Chile to adapt their heritage and tourism policies. In Chile, the National Monuments Council, through the National Cultural Heritage Service, led its nomination and heritage designation. In the Arica and Parinacota region, various social actors, including public institutions, tourism companies, and Indigenous communities, participated in this process.

The Indigenous communities of the Arica foothills were considered key stakeholders and, under Chilean state policies, promoted management, conservation, and dissemination activities for Qhapaq Ñan. This study, using an ethnographic approach, analyses the heritage definitions and actions undertaken by four Indigenous organisations, assessing the impact of the heritage-building process on their territory. It seeks to understand their perspectives on Qhapaq Ñan management and whether they have developed alternative approaches that redefine official heritage discourses.

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Paper 5: Patrimonio y Mineria. Arqueología del Extractivismo en el Desierto de Atacama 

Heritage and Mining. Archaeology of Extractivism in the Atacama Desert

Based on the case of mining extractivism in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, this paper reflects on various aspects related to the presence of archaeological evidence and its patrimonialisation, expert and official discourses related to cultural heritage, along with the development of archaeology in these spaces. The historical dynamics associated with archaeological evidence and the processes of patrimonialisation in these spaces are considered, exploring the social impact and the existence of traditions and/or local responses, with special attention to the relationship between archaeology, scientific extractivism and the development of large-scale mining in Chile. A brief analysis of the guidelines, regulations and mechanisms associated with archaeological heritage is also presented.

Thus, this paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the relationship of archaeology with extractivism and colonised territories, as well as the local agency in these processes. Particularly, it is oriented to the debate on the role of archaeological materiality in local dynamics and socio-environmental conflicts, the social and political role of archaeology and the effects of extractivism in the different territories, as some of the main aspects.

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Paper 6: (I)legalidad del Método y la Teoria

(I)legality of the Method and Theory

El término Impacto Ambiental se ha utilizado de manera genérica para los proyectos de inversión pública y privada, podríamos decir que quienes ejercemos la profesión en este ámbito, hemos quedado fuera de la investigación y reducidos a contribuir con las dinámicas neoliberales independientemente del área en la que nos desarrollamos.

En este contexto, a nivel epistemológico el origen de la disciplina nace de un orden colonial, donde nos encontramos con un problema disciplinario y ético del que hacer arqueológico en el mundo contemporáneo. Por lo que se vuelve interesante ahondar en la diversidad de prácticas que se ejercen en esta otra vereda de la arqueología, el abordaje se plantea desde encarnar la profesión el servicio público, en consultoras ambientales y en empresas principalmente en proyectos que requieren de tramitación ambiental.

Desde aquí se planeta ¿De qué manera la inserción de la práctica arqueológica en los procesos de evaluación de impacto ambiental en proyectos de inversión pública y privada en han reconfigurado el rol del arqueólogo/a profesional, generando tensiones entre las prácticas tradicionales y las demandas de la normativa ambiental en Chile?

The term Environmental Impact has been used generically for public and private investment projects. We could say that those of us who practice in this field have been excluded from research and reduced to contributing to neoliberal dynamics, regardless of the area in which we operate.

In this context, at the epistemological level, the origin of the discipline stems from a colonial order, where we encounter a disciplinary and ethical problem of doing archaeology in the contemporary world. Therefore, it becomes interesting to delve into the diversity of practices practiced in this other area of archaeology. The approach is proposed from the perspective of embodying the profession as a public service, in environmental consulting firms and companies, primarily in projects that require environmental processing.

From here, the question arises: How has the inclusion of archaeological practice in environmental impact assessment processes in public and private investment projects reconfigured the role of the professional archaeologist, generating tensions between traditional practices and the demands of environmental regulations in Chile?

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Paper 7: No se Puede Estar con Dios y con el Diablo: Sobre Las Consultoras Ambientales, Sitios Arqueologicos y Comunidades Indigenas Frente al Desarrollo Minero

You Can't Be with God and the Devil: On Environmental Consulting Firms, Archaeological Sites, and Indigenous Communities Facing Mining Development

Este artículo explora los conflictos socioambientales mineros a partir de la práctica de la arqueología comunitaria, en el marco de asesorías realizadas a comunidades diaguitas frente al proyecto Pascua Lama de Barrick Gold y a la comunidad quechua de Iquiuca frente al proyecto Cerro Colorado.

Se analiza el rol de las consultoras ambientales y su relación con las empresas mineras dentro del Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental chileno, evidenciando la dualidad entre arqueólogos que trabajan para la minería y aquellos con enfoque comunitario. La discusión aborda cómo el discurso indígena, tradicionalmente centrado en lo ambiental y la propiedad de la tierra (Jofré, 2007), ha incorporado demandas sobre patrimonio cultural y territorio, impulsadas por la Consulta Indígena.

Se examinan dos casos: el Memorándum de Entendimiento entre Barrick Gold (Minera Nevada) y comunidades diaguitas de Vallenar, y los convenios entre la comunidad quechua de Iquiuca y Minera Cerro Colorado. El artículo concluye reflexionando sobre el quehacer de la arqueología en estos contextos, desde un punto de vista ámbito técnico y legal.

This article explores socio-environmental conflicts surrounding mining through the practice of community archaeology, within the framework of advisory services provided to Diaguita communities regarding Barrick Gold's Pascua Lama project and to the Quechua community of Iquiuca regarding the Cerro Colorado project.

The role of environmental consulting firms and their relationship with mining companies within the Chilean Environmental Assessment System is analysed, highlighting the duality between archaeologists working for the mining sector and those with a community-based approach. The discussion addresses how Indigenous discourse, traditionally focused on environmental issues and land ownership (Jofré 2007), has incorporated demands regarding cultural heritage and territory, driven by Indigenous Consultation.

Two cases are examined: the Memorandum of Understanding between Barrick Gold (Minera Nevada) and the Diaguita communities of Vallenar, and the agreements between the Quechua community of Iquiuca and Minera Cerro Colorado. The article concludes by reflecting on the work of archaeology in these contexts, from a technical and legal perspective.

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Paper 8: Arqueología y Extractivismo en el Oasis de Calama, Desierto de Atacama 

Archaeology and Extractivism in the Calama Oasis, Atacama Desert

Las investigaciones sobre el oasis de Calama en el desierto de Atacama, norte de Chile, sugieren una ocupación desde momentos tempranos, con una continuidad en el tiempo, configurando el territorio como un enclave indígena atacameño relacionado con actividades silvoagropecuarias y mineras. Poblamiento que conlleva la domesticación del poco apto paisaje local, las evidencias arqueológicas dan cuenta de las lógica de ocupación, caracterizada por la movilidad y participación en rutas caravaneras y redes de intercambio con la cuenca del salar de Atacama y la Costa del Pacífico.

Especial auge cobran los trabajos de anticuarios, coleccionistas y viajeros que durante el siglo XVIII fascinan con sus relatos fantásticos y huaqueos de pucaras y gentilares, como con Frezier o Ried. Fascinación compartida por ingenieros y geógrafos, tras el establecimiento de la Anaconda Mining Company (1912), y su interés por las antiguas momias y sus artefactos. Extractivismo científico que nutrió museos norteamericanos y europeos. Uno de los casos más conocidos es el llamado “hombre de cobre” que evidencia además las dinámicas de comercio asociadas al coleccionismo. Así, esta ponencia presenta una reflexión en torno al desarrollo de la arqueología en este enclave y su relación con el extractivismo científico y minero en esta región.

Research on the Calama Oasis in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, suggests an early, continuous occupation, shaping the territory as an Atacama Indigenous enclave linked to forestry, agricultural, and mining activities. Settlement entailed the domestication of the unsuitable local landscape. Archaeological evidence reveals the logic of occupation, characterised by mobility and participation in caravan routes and exchange networks with the Atacama Salt Flats basin and the Pacific Coast.

Of particular importance were the works of antiquarians, collectors, and travellers who, during the 18th century, fascinated with their fantastic tales and huaqueos of pucaras and gentiles, such as those of Frezier and Ried. This fascination was shared by engineers and geographers after the establishment of the Anaconda Mining Company (1912), and their interest in ancient mummies and their artefacts. Scientific extractivism nourished North American and European museums. One of the best-known cases is the so-called ‘Copper Man’, which also highlights the commercial dynamics associated with collecting. Thus, this presentation presents a reflection on the development of archaeology in this enclave and its relationship with scientific and mining extractivism in the region.

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Paper 9: Uruguayan Archaeologies: Conflicts in the Present Over a Disputed Territory

Since its formation as a nation-state, Uruguay has defined itself as a country without indigenous peoples, and more recently, as a natural country. Both definitions are part of a historical continuum of constructing a national identity and a national model. A model based on the violence of the whitening of its society and history, and on the continued extraction of common goods in supposedly environmentally friendly modalities such as livestock farming, agriculture and tourism, generating strong social and environmental inequalities throughout the country.

In this presentation, we explore how Uruguayan archaeology has been both functional and complicit in these processes, focusing on a romanticised past, from a depoliticised practice oblivious to the various ethical, social, and ecological conflicts. This has validated the hegemonic nation-state project and the advancement of neo-extractivisms such as agribusiness, residential tourism, and renewable energy. Engagement with ethnic groups and local organisations in current circumstances, with increasing demands for the protection of common goods and the recognition of identity, challenges our profession and invites us to retrace our ways of conducting and constructing archaeology in disputed territories.

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Paper 10: Extractivismo Empresarial, Tecnocracia Estatal, Complicidad Académica y la Ausencia de Protección Efectiva de la Herencia Arqueológica en Chile

Corporate Extractivism, State Technocracy, Academic Complicity, and the Lack of Effective Protection of Archaeological Heritage in Chile

Durante 17 años de dictadura cívico militar y posterior democracia, se instaló en Chile un modelo radicalmente neoliberal, proceso en que se acabó con la industria nacional y las empresas estatales pasaron a manos de privados. El modelo de desarrollo instalado se basa en la extracción de materias primas para su exportación, incorporando las energías “limpias”, actualmente. En 1990 se promulgó la ley de bases generales del medio ambiente que estableció criterios de evaluación ambiental a proyectos de inversión y desarrollo. Entre los criterios se encuentra la arqueología, ampliando radicalmente el campo laboral y favoreciendo la creación de nuevas carreras universitarias, consultoras ambientales y de arqueología. Esta proyección ya había sido advertida , a pesar de lo cual ha ocurrido un crecimiento sin control, generando un modelo de arqueología extractivista, en que se abarcan grandes extensiones de territorio en dilatados plazos con abultados presupuestos, lo que nos tiene hoy en la palestra pública. Se busca actualizar una discusión que ha sido invisibilizada, en busca de soluciones concretas que permitan una mejor gestión de lo arqueológico en el marco del modelo económico chileno.

During 17 years of civil-military dictatorship and subsequent democracy, a radically neoliberal model was established in Chile, a process that wiped out national industry and transferred state-owned enterprises to private hands. The established development model is based on the extraction of raw materials for export, incorporating the current ‘clean’ energy. In 1990, the General Environmental Foundations Law was enacted, establishing environmental assessment criteria for investment and development projects. Among these criteria is archaeology, radically expanding the workforce and favouring the creation of new university programs, environmental consulting, and archaeology. This projection had already been anticipated, yet uncontrolled growth has occurred, generating a model of extractivist archaeology, which covers large areas of land over long periods of time with bloated budgets, which has brought us into the public eye today. The aim is to update a discussion that has been overlooked, in search of concrete solutions that allow for better management of archaeological resources within the framework of the Chilean economic model.

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Paper 11: Extractivismo y Arqueología, Reflexiones a Partir de caso Atacameño Lickanantay del Norte de Chile

Extractivism and Archaeology: Reflections on the Atacameño Lickanantay Case in Northern Chile

Desde principios del siglo XXI, en Chile se ha evidenciado una estrecha relación entre la arqueología y el extractivismo de recursos naturales. Por Ley, las empresas deben realizar estudios de impacto ambiental que incluyan el resguardo del patrimonio arqueológico, lo que ha dado origen a la arqueología de contrato, que opera principalmente en zonas asociadas a grandes proyectos. Esto ha generado una acumulación de colecciones en museos locales, regionales y nacionales, muchas veces sin retorno a las comunidades.

Históricamente, la arqueología en el norte de Chile ha estado vinculada al colonialismo y al discurso científico del progreso. Durante el siglo XIX y XX, se realizaron numerosas excavaciones con fines coleccionistas y de estudio, bajo la idea de que los pueblos indígenas eran culturas en vías de desaparición, a la vez que los procesos de chilenización buscaron anexar a estas poblaciones a la comunidad imaginada nacional.

Estás prácticas han dejado una herida profunda en las comunidades Atacameñas Lickanantay, al vulnerar creencias locales tradicionales. Esta presentación propone reflexionar sobre estas prácticas y la urgencia de transformar la arqueología desde una perspectiva ética en diálogo con las comunidades, al mismo tiempo que se explora y reflexiona sobre la intervención de nuevos extractivismos.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, a close relationship between archaeology and natural resource extraction has become evident in Chile. By law, companies must conduct environmental impact studies that include the protection of archaeological heritage. This has given rise to contract archaeology, which operates primarily in areas associated with large projects. This has led to an accumulation of collections in local, regional, and national museums, often without return to the communities.

Historically, archaeology in northern Chile has been linked to colonialism and the scientific discourse of progress. During the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous excavations were carried out for collecting and study purposes, based on the idea that Indigenous peoples were cultures in danger of disappearing, while the Chileanisation process sought to annex these populations to the imagined national community.

These practices have left a deep wound in the Lickanantay Atacameño communities, violating traditional local beliefs. This presentation proposes a reflection on these practices and the urgency of transforming archaeology from an ethical perspective in dialogue with communities, while exploring and reflecting on the intervention of new extractivisms.

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Paper 12: Extractivismo Minero y Exhumaciones en las Comunidades Lickan Antai. Impacto de los Relatos Orales Sobre la Percepción de los Comuneros del Siglo XXI

Mining Extractivism and Exhumations in Lickan Antai Communities: The Impact of Oral Narratives on 21st-Century Community Perceptions

Desde la primera mitad del siglo XX, las empresas mineras estadounidenses irrumpieron en el norte de Chile, interviniendo en el territorio a través de la construcción de embalses, caminos y acueductos. Se realizaron exploraciones y excavaciones sin tener en consideración las creencias locales, dejando al descubierto cuerpos de los ancestros y el patrimonio cultural de las comunidades Lickan Antai vecinas a las operaciones mineras. Las exhumaciones fueron presenciadas por comuneros pertenecientes a comunidades indígenas como Lasana o Toconce, cuyos relatos fueron transmitidos hacia los comuneros del siglo XXI. En esta presentación se reflexiona sobre la influencia que han tenido estos relatos en la percepción crítica y desconfiada de los indígenas Lickan Antai sobre las actividades mineras, coleccionistas y arqueológicas, al mismo tiempo que sitúa a la memoria oral como herramienta para denunciar prácticas extractivistas en el territorio, planteando la necesidad de generar protocolos éticos con las comunidades

Since the early 20th century, U.S. mining companies have operated in northern Chile, transforming the landscape through the construction of dams, roads, and aqueducts. These explorations and excavations, carried out without regard for local beliefs, unearthed ancestral remains and cultural heritage belonging to neighbouring Lickan Antai communities. Members of Indigenous communities such as Lasana and Toconce witnessed these exhumations, and their oral accounts have been passed down to 21st-century descendants. This presentation examines how these narratives have shaped Lickan Antai people’s critical and distrustful perceptions of mining, collecting practices, and archaeology. Simultaneously, it highlights oral memory as a tool for denouncing extractivist practices in the territory and argues for the urgent development of ethical protocols in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

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Session Abstract:

The tapestry of human civilisation is intricately woven with a myriad of belief systems, customs, and religions that have evolved over millennia. These systems not only reflect humanity's understanding of the universe and existence but also shape societal structures, cultural expressions, and interpersonal and international relationships. Prehistoric times offer testimony to the origins of belief systems, wherein early humans developed rudimentary forms of beliefs and rituals. These belief systems were likely animistic at their core, ascribing spiritual significance to natural elements, such as animals, plants, and geographical features. As societies transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to agrarian and settled communities, belief systems evolved into more structured forms of religion, particularly polytheism. Ancient civilisations, including the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Indus Valley cultures, and Chinese societies, developed intricate pantheons and rituals with institutions and centres of worship serving both spiritual and social functions. The emergence of belief cults, or new religious movements, has also been observed throughout history, often responding to social, cultural, and psychological factors. These groups, ranging from small, localised communities to larger organised religions, propose alternative interpretations of spirituality and morality. Asia, regarded as the cradle of world religions and cultic practices, often inseparable from political course of history. Material remnants in Asia symbolise religious beliefs, facilitating worship and cultural connections. Monuments, artefacts, and sacred spaces reflect historical narratives and fosters their ‘identity’ through rituals and festivals. Asia is the largest continent with scope for archaeological research related to sacred beliefs.

This session will discuss various aspects of sacred archaeology, including customs, rituals, formation of religion, cults, symbolisms, material remnants of belief systems, art and architecture, and religious movements, along with how religion has shaped Asian cultures. The panel posits to discuss broader aspects of how belief systems and their tangible and intangible heritage builds the identity of Asia and its archaeological scope.

Paper 1: The Legacy of Serpent Worship in Kerala

The Naga cult, or serpent worship, is one of the most ancient forms of worship in India. Serpents (nagas) were the most prominent figures as reflected in ancient Indian literature. According to reports, the excavation at the Neolithic site of Chirand in Bihar provided the first archaeological proof of the serpent cult in India. Kerala, known as God's Own Country, boasts cultural pluralism that enriches its diversity. The state has a variety of ritual practices and performances, among which serpent worship, or ‘ophiolatry,’ is significant. Serpent worship has long been a major part of religious life in Kerala, and its antiquity goes back as far as the Iron Age period. The recent discovery of petroglyphs of snakes from different parts of Kerala also indicates the long testimony and popularity of such practices. The cult of snake worship in Kerala is closely interwoven with the life of the people of the state and is a component of its rich cultural heritage. Kerala is also famous for serpent worship in different forms. Sacred groves, or sarppakkavu, are used as ritual spaces for all kinds of serpent worship, like sarppamthullal (snake dance), noorum palum (food offerings to snakes), etc. In Kerala, there exists an ethnographic community known as Pulluvar, traditionally associated with serpent worship and rituals. They perform a ritual called Pulluvan Pattu (songs by pulluvas) to praise the snake gods, which involves singing and making sacrificial offerings. Throughout Kerala, there are temples devoted to serpent worship. There are also temples in Kerala that worship snakes as sub-deities, placed outside or on the premises of the sanctum. This paper examines the archaeological and historical evidence of serpent worship in Kerala, with a particular focus on the Alappuzha and Palakkad regions.

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Paper 2: Evolving Divinity: Tracing the Religious Conception of the Buddha in the Colossal Statues of Sri Lanka

The colossal Buddha statues of Sri Lanka have long been the subject of scholarly interest, with studies focusing on their artistic value, stylistic aspects, symbolic interpretations, and, more recently, their monumental scale. This study revolves around colossal standing and sedentary Buddha statues crafted from stone and plastered brick, dating from approximately the mid-first millennium CE to the 13th century CE. These statues are located at monastic sites such as Avukana, Rasvehera, Dowa, Buduruwagala, Maligawila, Gal Vihara, Tivanka, and Lankatilaka. Moving beyond their material presence, this study explores how Buddhist perceptions of the Buddha evolved, as reflected in the variations of these statues. It traces their transformation from a standardised model to diverse representations, showcasing shifts in artistic expression and the evolving conceptions of the Buddha in Sri Lankan society. This study uncovers the dynamic interplay between art, religion, and culture in ancient Sri Lanka by linking material remains to intangible spiritual beliefs often documented in literary works.

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Paper 3: Living Traditions and Religious Heritage Place at Phra That Phanom, an Outstanding Representative in the Northeastern Region of Thailand

Phra That, a significant example of religious architecture in Buddhist belief, stands as a profound testament to the harmonious interchange of human values and the dissemination of cultural and spiritual ideals. This study examines Phra That Phanom, a highly revered Buddhist pagoda in northeast Thailand, as a representative example of such interexchange, located within the sacred complex along the Mekong River. The pagoda, believed to enshrine sacred relics of the Buddha and developed progressively over centuries, symbolises the transmission of Buddhism from its origins in South Asia to Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on its spread along the Mekong River. Throughout its history, Phra That Phanom has significantly influenced regional architectural styles and monumental art, harmoniously blending indigenous traditions with external cultural influences. Beyond its physical significance, the development of this pagoda and its surrounding landscape embodies the vibrant living traditions and beliefs of multi-ethnic communities of the region, as well as ‘Kha O Gas’, the surrounding communities who have safeguarded this sacred heritage through generations and deeply intertwined with the cultural tradition of merit-making, which continues to shape the site’s physical and spiritual significance.

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Paper 4: Exploring the Tangible and Intangible Elements of Ayurvedic Tradition in Kerala: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective of the Millenia Knowledge System

Ayurveda in Kerala boasts a rich history of tradition, culture, and practices, tracing back to the earliest civilisations. This knowledge, acquired by inhabitants through their experiences and adaptation to their environment, is evident in archaeological findings from sites like Pattanam, where various herbal plant remains and tools have been discovered. Human evolution and the progress of civilisations are intertwined with diseases and the capacity to resist them, highlighting the importance of medical practices. Archaeological evidence, including inscriptions, directly or indirectly mention Ayurvedic practices in ancient Kerala. Inscriptional and palm leaf records showcase land grants given to medical practitioners in return for their services, representing tangible elements of ancient medical practices. Textual evidence, such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, provides the theoretical foundation of Ayurveda, constituting the intangible elements. Prominent Ayurvedic familial lineages, like the Kottakkal Aryavaidya Sala, have preserved and propagated this knowledge through generations and in addition, these centres are crucial for education and treatment, ensuring the continuity of Ayurvedic heritage. This paper focuses on the tangible and intangible elements of ancient medical practices in Kerala, supported by archaeological evidence, and explores the traditional transmission of Ayurvedic knowledge through familial lineages.

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Paper 5: The Sacred Hills of Krishna and the Mighty Bows of Arjuna: Exploring the Dilemma of Archaeology and Community Beliefs in Eastern Nepal

The Mahabharata has been widely debated among historians and archaeologists in the South Asian region. Many term it myth, while others believe it to be a history. It is true that the epic depicts the multifarious façades ranging from the social, economic, philosophical and spiritual lifestyles of the civilisations of the ancient Indian subcontinent. In this region, many archaeological ruins or sites have been attributed to the heroic events of the Mahabharata by local people. Thus, a unique destination repute for the locations has been created throughout the Indian subcontinent, ranging from Delhi as Hastinapura to east Nepal as king Virat’s kingdom or the Pandavas’ retreat during their last year of incognito. The events of the Ramayana are also linked to as far as to Sri Lanka. Academicians and historians aside, many a time the public romanticise their findings and places to heroic characters of the epics. As such, this research assesses concerns of public archaeology and ethical perspectives of the destinations’ repute because of the unknown authenticity of the tangible objects, ruins and remains. Three sites of study – Krishnathumki, Sadhutar and Dhanushkuti in east Nepal, all in proximity to the ruins of palatial complexes of Kichakbadh, have been selected to analyse this issue. The research, aided by multiple field visits to dozens of such sites, reveals the uncanny beliefs and rituals of locals therein. The sites, whether or not they are truly associated with such Mahabharata incidents, can only be determined through the archaeological findings and wise interpretation of the sites. The epic’s authenticity and origin is another side to the concern. More important is to answer why and how locals become involved in the domino effect of romanticising their places into the romantics of the Mahabharata. This research attempts to answer these questions, along with providing a set of possible strategies to address the archaeological dilemma, which may also provoke further future researches in the area of concern.

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Paper 6: Exploring Social and Religious Narratives Through Kerala’s Mural Art

Murals are a vibrant part of Kerala's traditional heritage, often embellishing the walls of temples, palaces, and churches across the region. Among these, temple murals are the most plentiful and detailed. The earliest evidence of mural paintings in Kerala dates back to the 8th century CE, with significant examples found in the rock-cut temples of Thirunandikkara, then part of ancient Travancore. However, the tradition of mural painting in Kerala did not undergo continuous development until the 14th century CE, and from 17th CE onwards the reiteration of murals can be traced over various temples, palaces, and churches across Kerala. Early artists focus more on social themes rather than religious narratives, but by the later periods, religious themes dominated the artwork, with social elements often knitted throughout. Given the limited historical documentation of Kerala’s society between the 16th and 18th centuries, these murals serve as a decisive medium for understanding the socio-cultural and religious fabric of Keralan society.

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Paper 7: The Treasures Within: Archaeological Riches of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Kerala) and Glimpses of Cultural Formation

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, India, is a breath-taking exemplar of the fusion between Indian Dravidian and traditional Kerala architecture, reflecting the region's vibrant cultural heritage. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this Hindu temple is revered as one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered sacred abodes of Vishnu within the Sri Vaishnava tradition. An exemplary showcase of ancient science and technology, the construction of Padmanabhaswamy Temple reveals sophisticated techniques, such as unique musical pillars, single stone platforms, and the ingenious application of symmetrical patterns and stone locking systems. The idol of the deity, crafted using ancient plastering knowledge, further enhances the temple's distinctiveness. Interestingly, the temple was built in accordance with precise astronomical calculations, allowing for stunning visual phenomena such as the captivating sight of eclipses. Inscriptions and archival documents that date back to the 8th century AD shed light on the temple's socio-political interactions, detailing endowments and grants, ritual traditions, and the political economy of the era. The temple's socio-cultural relevance is accentuated by the development of an urban settlement within its precincts, drawing a diverse population of various castes and occupations, and fostering a remarkable synthesis of traditions and beliefs. Recently, the temple garnered international attention when a treasure trove of gold, diamonds, precious stones, and ancient coins was discovered in its concealed vaults, greatly enhancing its historical significance and making it the richest temple in the world. Among the treasures were coins dating back to the Roman era, Venetian ducats, and currency from the 1700s, further emphasising the temple's long-standing connections to trade and economic interactions. This paper aims to provide an in-depth appraisal of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, exploring its structural and artistic peculiarities as well as the unique cultural interactions that are illuminated through its archaeological and historical remnants.

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Paper 8: Sacred Strategies: The Military Function of Temples and ‘Salais’ in South India

In South India, temples served not only as religious centres but also as significant educational institutions and hubs of military training. While the role of ancient universities in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions is well-documented, the educational legacy of South Indian temples remains relatively unexplored. In medieval Kerala, temples functioned as dual centres for learning and military prowess, often linked to Salais (academies) that offered training in classical texts, sciences, and martial disciplines. This was necessitated by the socio-political upheavals during the Chola, Chera, and Pandya conquests. Temples received substantial patronage to sustain these academic institutions, which also housed students known as Chattas. Military training offered at these academies was of international standards, attracting learners from Southeast Asia. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of these Salais in temple complexes, with notable locations including Kanthaloor, Vizhinjam,

Prathivasekharapuram, Thiruvalla, etc. Inscriptions reveal that these institutions played a crucial role in shaping regional political landscapes, contributing to the dominance of their patrons. This paper aims to highlight the multifaceted functions of temples in South India, emphasising their significance not only in spiritual life but also in the realms of education and military training within broader socio-political contexts.

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Paper 9: The Role of Sri Lankan Cave Temple Art in Shaping Buddhist Practices and Cognitive Perception of Devotees

Sri Lankan rock art, including cave paintings and inscriptions, offers invaluable insights into the symbolic, social, and religious practices of ancient human societies. This study explores the role of rock art in understanding the cultural landscape of early Sri Lanka, with a particular focus on the representation of Buddhist practices and their influence on the cognitive perception of devotees. Rock temple art found in iconic sites, such as the Cave Temples of Dambulla and the Salawa, reflects the deep integration of Buddhist philosophy, iconography, and religious rituals into the art forms of the island. The depiction of Buddhist motifs, such as the Buddha’s life events, symbolic representations of the Buddha’s presence, and the use of sacred geometry, illustrate how Buddhist art functioned not only as a means of visual expression but also as a tool for spiritual communication and meditation. This research examines how the cognitive perception of the devotees was shaped by these artworks, fostering a deeper connection to the divine and enhancing religious experience. Through carefully studying these paintings and inscriptions, it becomes evident that ancient Sri Lankan artists employed innovative techniques to convey spiritual narratives and engage the viewer in a transformative process. By integrating archaeological, art historical, and anthropological perspectives, this study aims to highlight how rock art played a crucial role in developing Buddhist religious practices, guiding devotees toward a more profound understanding of Buddhist teachings and reinforcing communal religious identities.

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Paper 10: Recent Rare Findings of Stone Sculptures from Babhaniyav, Varanasi, India

Babhaniyav, a proto-historic archaeological site located in the ancient city of Varanasi, India, is situated on the Panchkroshi parikrama route, an ancient religious path of historical importance. Due to extensive agricultural work by villagers, a widespread lack of awareness and haphazard cutting of the mound, the original form of the ancient site has been spoiled. At the time of survey, ceramics from the Chalcolithic period to the early medieval period had been recovered from the site. Fragmentary sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses are scattered on the mound. It includes stone sculptures, panels, door-jams, Shivlingas and several incomplete stone pillars. At the present time, many sculptures, including an important Shivalinga, are worshiped by the villagers. Panels were initially placed on the outer walls of the temple with carved images on both sides, and seem to have been used to enhance the spiritual beauty of the temple. The images are beautifully and skilfully carved. Vishnu, Shiva-Parvati, Surya, Mahishasura-Mardini, Durga, Kartikeya, Hanuman, Ganesh etc. are prominent amongst the stone sculptures. The main objective of this research paper is to present these important features and make people aware of Babhaniyav’s archaeological importance.

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Paper 11:Exploring Balagraha: Insights from the Sushruta Samhita and Archaeological Evidence from the Middle Ganga Plains

Ancient Indian Ayurved texts, like the Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Samgraha and others, describe harmful spirits—referred to as Graha and Matr. These Graha and Matr are collectively called Balagraha and are believed to afflict infants. The Ayurved texts outline various protective rituals and the deities associated with the Balagraha. The proposed paper explores the connection between the ancient Indian Ayurved texts, particularly Sushruta Samhita, and the archaeological evidence in the context of fertility and infant protection rituals. Moving beyond the conventional classification of terracotta figurines as mere “mother goddesses,” the study seeks to interpret these artefacts from the broader cultural and medical perspective of ancient Indian society, particularly in the Middle Ganga Plains. The objective is to examine the socio-cultural significance of these figurines and their connection to fertility practices, shedding light on the cultural and medical beliefs surrounding infant protection in ancient India.

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Paper 12: The Archaeology of Death: Uncovering Burial Practices and Material Culture in the Bharathapuzha Basin, Kerala, India

The study investigates the archaeological significance of the Bharathapuzha River basin in Kerala, focusing on its material culture during the pre- and early historic periods. Due to the high concentration of excavated megalithic sites in this region, including notable locations such as Pazhayannur, Machad, Anakkara, Chiramanangad, and Iyyal, the research highlights the importance of the area in understanding early human societies. The grave goods and monuments discovered at these sites exhibit technological similarities with other South Indian archaeological findings. Large urns, dishes, small pots, legged jars, and Black and Red wares were excavated. Notably, iron artefacts from the basin demonstrate a remarkable purity of 99%, as indicated by scientific analyses. Additionally, the excavation of bronze vessels at Thiruvilwamala and Thirunavaya presents rare evidence within the context of megalithic burial practices in South India. Surface explorations further underscore the area's significance. Explorations also unearthed semi-precious stones and varieties of beads. Study reveals an interesting exploration of an unexplored prehistoric settlement and cultural formation through burial remnants.

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Session Abstract:

This session draws attention to the increasing recognition of the benefits of combining Indigenous and Western knowledges. We seek cross-disciplinary presentations on the challenges and benefits of braiding, weaving and plaiting Indigenous knowledges and Western scientific approaches. The aim is not only to showcase successful collaborations but also to identify challenges involved in this process, and the many different methods and approaches that are undertaken across the globe. We invite case studies led by either Indigenous or non-Indigenous researchers who are working in this space. By encouraging collaboration between these knowledge systems, this session will demonstrate the value of using archaeology and cultural heritage to create more holistic, culturally informed, and sustainable solutions to the complex challenges faced by societies worldwide.

Paper 1: Roll the Rs in Warratyi: An Update on the Braided Research at South Australia’s Oldest Archaeological Site

Once-elusive aspects about social complexity, mobility and Pleistocene ecology are clarified as archaeology adopts methods from other disciplines. Warratyi rock shelter (Adnyamathanha Yarta, South Australia) contains an array of organic and inorganic artefacts (i.e., faunal remains, charcoal, ochre, lithics). It shows early, continual human occupation in southern Australia’s semi-arid region c. 49−10 ka. Here, we investigate the site’s faunal remains with a braided knowledge approach, where research priorities, methods, and outcomes are co-designed by Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners and university researchers. From taxonomic assessments, kangaroo and wallaby species dominate (>56%) the accumulation. Increased faunal diversity c. 30−25 ka may indicate altered group mobility and/or shelter use by birds of prey. These results are complemented by an interrogation of biting and digestion marks, and spectral analyses of burnt remains. Pilot spectral studies indicate that some bones were heated in conditions consistent with space-clearing.

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Paper 2: Clay, Connections, and Community: Exploring Wabanaki Ceramics from the Lab to the Land

This paper presents an integrated approach to studying pre-colonial Wabanaki ceramics through archaeological analysis and community-based learning. Drawing on a research project focused on potters' agency and technological choices in ceramic assemblages from the Kennebec and Penobscot River valleys, this study attempts to challenge Eurocentric interpretations of Indigenous socio-spatial boundaries in Maine. Analysis of ceramic attributes such as temper, surface treatment, and morphology, supplemented by residue analysis and radiocarbon dating, seeks to connect material culture to deeper Indigenous social and cultural contexts. Integral to this research are community-based initiatives connecting Wabanaki people to traditional pottery making techniques. Activities draw from ceramic attribute analyses and include clay cleaning, temper preparation, exploration of ceramic surface treatments, and coil construction. By linking archaeological ceramics inquiry with active community participation, this paper highlights a model for heritage reclamation and Ancestor appreciation. It underscores the critical role of Indigenous voices and choices in heritage research and the power of community agency in ensuring the vitality of cultural traditions.

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Paper 3: Ancestral Relationships with Marine Mammals and Identifying Species Utilised by Iwi Māori Using the Collagen Peptide Mass Fingerprinting Technique ZooMS

Many coastal peoples share deep connections with whales, dolphins and seals, and for Māori marine mammal bone is an integral and significant resource in Southern Ocean islands context. Comprehensive species knowledge is a formative part of indigenous environmental understanding, and revitalising relationships with species and ancestral lifeways is of high priority for many communities, driving combinations of traditional knowledges and environmental sciences to enhance and support lands and waters. Taxonomic identification of marine mammal species from worked bone is difficult, especially as morphologically unidentifiable fragmentary pieces. Methods of identification can be prohibitively expensive, and some methods require destructive sampling, which is unapplicable for many taonga cultural items and remains. By adapting non-destructive ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry) collagen sampling techniques and kaupapa Māori methodologies opportunities open to explore relationships with species and their resources. This project seeks to support iwi Māori interests in restoring marine mammal species knowledge, revitalising harvesting, processing and making of traditional resources, and utilising culturally appropriate and accessible analytical techniques to support Indigenous led research.

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Paper 4: Community Driven Cultural Heritage Management on Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Country

Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Country is in the resource rich region of the Pilbara on the western edge of the Hamersley Ranges in northwestern Australia. For decades the PKKP people have been undertaking statutory heritage surveys and approvals for mining companies where the entire methodology from start to finish was determined without input from the Aboriginal community. The PKKP community has worked hard in recent years to determine the trajectory of their future by taking control of how their past is managed. This paper presents two case studies of deep collaboration between members of an Indigenous Australian community; staff of the Aboriginal Corporation which represents them; and archaeologists who undertake CHM work on their behalf.

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Paper 5: Ancestral Codes in Broken Threads: Weaving Archaeology into Indigenous Resurgence in Uruguay

As one of the few publicly claiming their Indigenous identity within Uruguay’s academic space, I stand in a position both fraught and full of possibility. Academia in Uruguay has long served as a tool of silencing—declaring Indigenous peoples extinct, erasing Afro-descendant histories, and invisibilising the ancestral threads that shape our nation. Yet I remain in this space because I believe it can also become a tool for healing and reclamation. My thesis, Desnudando Uruguay, explores the entanglements of memory, territory, and the silenced Afro-Indigenous identities woven into our national fabric. Where these stories reside, there are knots—tangles born from violence, survival, and silence. I argue that archaeology, despite its colonial roots, holds powerful potential as a method of repair. Our land holds memory. It speaks to us. But it also contains material culture—ceramics, pigments, seeds, rock paintings, burial mounds—that Western science can help us interpret. This paper explores how archaeology can serve as a bridge between ancestral codes and contemporary communities. Through collaborative work, we can return knowledge to elders whose memories remain vivid, though fragmented. This is not integration—it is weaving: a braiding of memory, science, and land in the service of cultural resurgence.

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Paper 6: Weaving aDNA and Ainu Knowledge: Reconstructing Ancestral Fisheries Through Indigenous-Led Research in Hokkaido

Ancient DNA (aDNA) research is increasingly being used by both scientists and Indigenous communities to explore past human-environment relationships. When shaped by community priorities, aDNA research can yield quantitative data that align with and enhance the qualitative understandings embedded in traditional ecological knowledge. These historical ecological perspectives can support culturally grounded, community-led resource management. In Hokkaido, northern Japan, the Raporo Ainu Nation is seeking to restore Indigenous rights in natural resource governance, particularly fisheries. In partnership with the Raporo Ainu Nation, we apply aDNA techniques to archaeological fish remains to help reconstruct ancestral fishing practices. This Indigenous-led project was developed through sustained consultation to ensure community concerns and aspirations shape the research process. Our findings identified significantly more fish species than possible through morphology alone, offering new insights into past fishing grounds, seasonality, and human-environment interactions. A key aim is for this work to support future stewardship strategies that reflect Ainu values and knowledge systems. This presentation introduces one of the first biomolecular archaeological studies conducted in direct collaboration with Ainu communities, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of weaving Indigenous knowledge with Western scientific approaches.

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Paper 7: The Impact of Indigenous Community-directed Practice on More Equitable Approaches to Citizen Science in Recording Cultural Landscapes

Indigenous Peoples—while not monolithic—have close relationships with local environments. Cultural landscapes—continuous regional/trans-regional areas that bring together cultural, spiritual, and archaeological values in environments with common heritage—are core components of culture, identity, and well-being. WEIRD—Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic—recording practice is rooted in historically close relationships between archaeology, scientific imperialism, and colonial perceptions of territory. Although Indigenous archaeology advocates for “Indigenised” strategies, institutional structures continue to be inherently hostile towards Indigenous Knowledge. Similarly, Citizen Science approaches deployed to meet growing expectations that archaeologists integrate Indigenous epistemologies, fail to address that many Citizen Science projects are extractive.  Extreme Citizen Science—bottom-up transdisciplinary practice supporting groups of any cultural or literate background to record data on environmental issues—can successfully represent local cultural, spiritual, and environmental values. However, there is growing recognition by Indigenous communities of the need to control geospatial information relating to their cultural spaces. Regulating data is key; unregulated data can become an open source of culturally significant information otherwise unavailable to outsiders. Anticolonial theories and methodologies promote ways researchers from outside the community can support this. Indigenous community-directed approaches to recording cultural landscapes can therefore mobilise the “third space” produced by interfacing Indigenous and WEIRD knowledges in meaningful and equitable collaboration.

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Session Abstract:

This session explores the history and heritage of repression, genocide, violence and massacre as a political tool wielded by dominant regimes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and the use of original archives, mnemonic devices, material culture and other evidence to challenge and neutralise the dominant narratives established, maintained and perpetuated to overlook and overwrite this heritage. Contributions may include anthropology, archaeology, historiography, psychology, sociology and allied disciplines to explore a wide range of themes, including but not limited to: abduction and sexual slavery; colonial collusion; digital humanities; genocide; the memory and memorialisation of massacre; military and paramilitary persuasion; small wars and tactical warfare; plausible deniability; political accountability, conflicts, strategy and manipulation; remoteness and the ease of concealment; and like matters.

Paper 1: Remembering the ‘Massacre’ of the River Raisin, Michigan,

This paper considers the War of 1812 Battles of the River Raisin, in Michigan, USA, the events sometimes termed the ‘Massacre of the River Raisin’, and the project of memorialising and studying those events. The site, settled by French-descended Detroiters in the 1780s, existed at the nexus of national, religious, and colonial contacts and conflicts. Archaeological research at the site by my students has been ongoing since 2019. The battles were central to the war and the young nation’s development, but the third day of violence—the killing of wounded US prisoners by Native allies of the British—is the feature most remembered. It was explicitly cited as a justification for the forced dispossession and relocation of Native peoples. Since events at this site were key to a misrepresentation of Native peoples that produced real, concrete harms, research at the site and evidence of the actual events here would provide important context. Moreover, in an increasingly politically divided USA, archaeological research at the site offers a rare opportunity for communication. However, this research must also face the pitfalls of unintentionally perpetuating inaccurate dominant narratives.

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Paper 2: The Killing Times: Colonial Frontier Massacres in Australia

Australia’s colonial frontier massacres are referred to by Aboriginal people as ‘the killing times’, which began with colonisation in 1770 and endured until beyond 1930. They have been the subject of an extensive study, which revealed not only the ugly underbelly of settler colonialism but the practices of concealing evidence and maintaining codes of silence in the aftermath. What emerged was evidence of sustained, systemic sexual, paramilitary and civilian violence. The number of civic honours bestowed upon the perpetrators, including place names, is largely unknown and evidence of bureaucratic whitewashing. This presentation will provide an overview of colonial frontier massacres and examples of place names honouring perpetrators in the Northern Territory.

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Paper 3: ‘Reflecting’ the Past of DO-CODI/SP: Archaeology and Disappeared Stories

This presentation examines the Doi-Codi in São Paulo, one of the main centres of repression during the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985), based on an analysis of its materiality and recent archaeological research carried out at the site. The paper highlights the importance of preserving this space as a place of memory, essential for the promotion of justice and human rights education. The archaeological research at the site strengthens the commitment to historical memory, underscoring the urgency of revisiting the past to confront contemporary threats to democracy. In addition, the article addresses the challenges in creating a memorial at Doi-Codi, reflecting on the political and social resistance to recognising and confronting this dark period in Brazilian history.

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Paper 4: Reclaiming Memory: Youth Art, Visual Heritage Performance and Memory Activism in the Nigeria-Biafra War

This presentation explores how artistic expression functions as a mnemonic device and counter-narrative to state-sponsored cultural amnesia. Focusing on the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970), the study examines a youth-focused narrative art contest organised by the Legacies of Biafra Heritage Project (LBHP) in southeastern Nigeria. In light of government policies suppressing the war history – including the disruption of history instruction in secondary schools – the LBHP invited participants aged 16–35 to create paintings, poetry, and short essays that reimagine and memorialise the war’s traumatic legacies. Through qualitative analysis, the study reveals how grassroots, youth-led initiatives serve as alternative forms of material culture and mnemonic practices, challenging the dominant narratives imposed by state repression. By integrating elements of visual heritage performance and intergenerational dialogue, the project not only documents intergenerational memory transfer in the absence of formal history education but also demonstrates how art can empower communities to reclaim and reinterpret their past. This work contributes to interdisciplinary discussions on grassroots heritage and memory activism in post-conflict contexts. Ultimately, the findings illustrate that artistic expressions reflect and shape a community’s collective memory, while offering innovative pathways for collective memory making in the face of historical suppression.

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Paper 5: Bearing Witness in the Present, for the Future: Towards an Archaeology of Trauma

Over the past 25 years, various concepts related to human suffering, conflict, and death have emerged and expanded within archaeology and heritage studies. As the global discourse on ‘trauma and truth-telling’ gains momentum, there has been a marked increase in the recognition of archaeology and heritage connected to trauma, suffering, and tragedy. Yet, despite the breadth of research in this field, psychological trauma has remained largely unexamined in both archaeology and heritage studies. In this interdisciplinary paper, I explore three key questions: What is trauma? What is the relationship between trauma, heritage, and archaeology? And what does it mean to be trauma-informed? I introduce the concept of trauma-informed heritage (TIH) and propose that heritage connected to traumatic events can be understood as trauma-heritage (TH). These concepts help to illuminate the complex, multi-scalar nature of archaeology and heritage associated with trauma. Building on this framework, I ask: How can interpreting trauma in the archaeological record deepen our understanding of contemporary trauma, resilience, and post-traumatic growth?

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Paper 6: Archaeology for Peace: Curating Memories of Conflict in Museums of Memory in Colombia

Among the contradictions driving identity politics in modern Latin America, the deployment of colonial categories and institutions in decolonial struggles is perhaps one of the most striking. As technologies of memory emerging in the XVIII century, archaeology and museums have long helped shape the development of national and regional identities. Difficult heritage emanates from the necessity of caring and keeping safe memories of pain fraught with danger, such as those emanating from colonization and armed conflict. This paper address difficult heritage in museums through the contrast between the circulation of material objects and bodies emerging from centuries-old processes of appropriation and that of stories and memories about recent violence and “disappearances”.  

The initiative Museums for Peace stepped into the battles for memory in Colombia in the shadows of the 2016 peace accord, in a field tensed by the official narrative of transitional justice mechanismz, on the one hand, and community-based museums of memory, on the other. As tools developed by victims to deal with the trauma caused by massive crime community-based museums of memory have become mechanisms to raise local voices and demand rights to memory, justice, and peace. The challenges raised by the different practices of memory and the musealisation of difficult knowledge have failed to overshadow the importance of community museums of memory as spaces for the radicalisation of democracy.

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Session Abstract:

The UNESCO World Heritage programme is firmly embedded in the United Nations‘ 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Target 11.4 calls to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage”. As site managers, custodians and educators of natural and cultural heritage, our session aims to open dialogue about how we can

•        Sustainably manage our World Heritage to work towards the fundamental aim of the 2030 Agenda—equality, diversity and inclusion within societies that provide fair and healthy conditions for everyone.

•        Sustainably develop World Heritage Sites to preserve them for future generations.

•        Learn from and teach with the past for a sustainable future.

World Heritage Sites especially provide an ideal platform for education. As sites of outstanding significance for cultural heritage, archaeological and historical monuments preserve moments of our human past that impact our present and shape our future.

Most importantly, World Heritage Sites are places of learning. Education, science and culture form the core of the UNESCO World Heritage Programme; outreach and community engagement are pillars of successful World Heritage management. However, Education for Sustainable Development goes further than simply understanding World Heritage sites as places that contribute to the provision of “quality education” (SDG 4). Embedded within a network of partner institutions and communities, World Heritage Sites can be flagship sites for the development of sustainable tourism, of “decent work and [allowing for] economic growth” (SDG 8). They can also exemplify the values of equality, diversity and inclusion by providing sustainable workplace environments for employees.

For this session we invite site managers, educators and researchers to present their (best) practice examples, of how they implement some or all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda at a World Heritage Site.

Paper 1: Fellowship of the ACCE—Navigating the Pedagogic Dynamics at World Heritage Sites in Italy’s Campania Region

Academy of Conservation and Care for Environment (ACCE) is an emerging initiative that allows sites at the intersection of natural and cultural heritage to act as living labs for building capacity on integrated environmental and heritage management. With focus on UNESCO World Heritage, the workshops at these sites are based on knowledge exchange between a range of local and global expertise, with a focus on upskilling young, emerging and early career researchers and professionals from diverse disciplines. As a result, this incubator allows ideas and thoughts to translate into practice and action-based research by curating experiences and activities with a mission towards advancing skills for a sustainable and resilient shared heritage with shared responsibility. This paper will unpack the various layers of pedagogic activities involved in ACCE’s first season in Italy’s Campania region in October 2024 for understanding heritage environments. It will showcase the various initiatives that were part of the field immersions at the Pompei Archaeology Park and Amalfi Coast. It will explore the tools and methodologies utilised in the sessions that allowed insights on climate action, over tourism and risk preparedness among other themes.

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Paper 2: Unveiling the Global Maritime Fulcrum at the Bongal Site: Participatory Learning in Maritime Heritage and Cultural Exchange

The Bongal Archaeological Site in Tapanuli, Indonesia, is a pivotal node in Asia Pacific maritime trade networks, connecting the Islamic world, Southeast Asia, and China. Known for its role in the exchange of high-value commodities, Bongal exemplifies Indonesia's rich maritime heritage. This paper explores the integration of participatory learning methodologies at Bongal to promote sustainable heritage management and education within the UNESCO World Heritage framework. The study incorporates excavation simulations, photogrammetry, and GIS mapping, engaging local communities, students, and researchers in the conservation and interpretation of both the tangible and intangible heritage of Bongal. These activities foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring long-term engagement with the site. The Fansuri On-site Museum plays a crucial role in contextualizing Bongal’s historical significance, combining traditional and digital curation to enhance cultural tourism and heritage education. This approach demonstrates how Bongal can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly quality education (SDG 4), sustainable tourism (SDG 8), and cultural diversity and inclusion (SDG 10). This paper illustrates that participatory learning can strengthen both local and global cultural connections, offering a model for integrating education, heritage conservation, and sustainable development in UNESCO World Heritage contexts.

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Paper 3: From Individual Sites to Human Adaptations. UNESCO Shifting Policies Towards Cultural Heritage Management of Prehistoric Heritage

The HEADS (Human Evolution: Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments) program was set up by UNESCO to define and establish a solid strategy of cooperation and implementation to ensure the future recognition, conservation and study of the earliest evidence of human ritual, expression and practice concerning World Heritage. Since its inception in 2006, it has focused on three thematic areas: Early archaeological sites and the beginning of cultural diversity, human evolution and sites related to early human origins and rock art. 

The paper discusses a new initiative of the HEADS group aimed at safeguarding the heritage of prehistoric farmers and herders from a long-term perspective. This involves recognizing the peculiarities of adaptation to distinct environmental zones that developed in the early Holocene and persist to the present dat. These forms of adaptation have provided the sustainability for local communities over millennia. The heritage of these local adaptations is approached through the framework of citizen science, which involves recognizing the specificities of these local adaptations as understood by local communities. This approach extends the understanding of the outstanding universal value of the prehistoric heritage from individual sites to the adaptation to particular palaeolandscapes. It also argues for the need to protect the sustainability of adaptation strategies developed in the past and continued by local communities. The preservation of traditional ecological knowledge may challenge the industrialised forms of contemporary exploitation strategies in these regions. The correspondence of this new initiative with UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals will be explicitly examined. This paper will also focus on the role of citizen science in defining the OUV of sites on the occasion of the celebration of the United Nations Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, coordinated by UNESCO.

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Paper 4: Archaeology Education Through Heritage: SDG Goal 4 at Australian UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO World Heritage sites serve as powerful educational platforms, connecting past heritage to present learning. In this presentation I examine how three Australian UNESCO World Heritage sites implement Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) through distinctive approaches to reflect their unique cultural and historical contexts.

Port Arthur Convict Site employs curriculum-aligned programming, accessibility initiatives and digital resources to make colonial history accessible to diverse learners. The site balances convict heritage interpretation with Indigenous perspectives to create inclusive historical narratives for school and adult visitors.

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape demonstrates Indigenous-led education, with Gunditjmara traditional owners managing knowledge transmission about their 6,600-year-old aquaculture system. This site exemplifies how Indigenous heritage management creates authentic educational experiences through cultural tourism, intergenerational knowledge exchange and community-controlled heritage interpretation.

Willandra Lakes Region integrates scientific understanding with Aboriginal cultural knowledge from three First Nations communities. The Mungo Discovery Centre interprets 45,000+ years of human occupation through collaborative approaches that respect both archaeological evidence and traditional knowledge systems.

This presentation will demonstrate how these sites employ SDG 4 (Quality Education) to embed learning within authentic cultural contexts, to create inclusive historical interpretations that promote deeper understanding of Australia’s diverse heritage and its significance for a sustainable future. 

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Paper 5: From the Past to the Future - Using Archaeological World Heritage in Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Sustainable Development (EDS) plays an increasingly significant role in cultural education, including the interpretation of archaeological heritage and outreach. Likewise, archaeological World Heritage sites (WHS) can and should play a key role in cultural education. For more than half a century, the World Heritage programme has been a cornerstone of UNESCO; in 2015, “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” acknowledged the importance of our shared heritage and called to “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage” (SDG 11.4). It is up to us—archaeologists, cultural heritage experts, educators and World Heritage site managers—to truly combine these global agendas and utilise our shared archaeological World Heritage in EDS. The southwestern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg is home to three archaeological WHS, and four further WHS partially with archaeological aspects. Together, these provide a wide range of topics from the past suitable for teaching future generations about human values and identities, sustainable development and climate action—about life and the emergence of art during the Ice Age, life on and with Neolithic/Bronze Age Lake Constance and the lakes of Upper Swabia, live and cultural exchange along the Roman frontier.

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Paper 6: Pattanam: Connecting Ancient Transoceanic Heritage with UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals

Pattanam archaeological site in Kerala, India, offers a unique window into ancient maritime trade networks. As the historical Muziris port, it connected diverse cultures across the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Nile and Mediterranean between 100 BCE and 300 CE.

Excavations since 2007 revealed exceptional material evidence of connections with nearly 40 coastal cultures. These findings showcase the Sangam Age society's remarkable features: indigenous trade practices, pluralistic values, and an egalitarian social structure that thrived without rigid caste hierarchies or dominant religious institutions.

Pattanam's preserved landscape—combining water bodies, archaeological remains, and indigenous communities—represents the ancient Kerala ecosystem of 51,000 rainforest-covered islands. Beyond its archaeological significance, Pattanam also stands as a global platform for education and research with the potential to align with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Quality Education (SDG4), Gender Equality (SDG5), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10).

As a globally recognised archaeological site and educational platform, Pattanam offers a unique opportunity for civil society, experts, and the local community to collaboratively shape a heritage preservation model aligned with sustainable development priorities.

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Session Abstract:

To date, much palaeogenomic research has been driven by the interests, disciplinary norms, and key research questions of population genetics and evolutionary biology. As the field has matured methodologically and expanded significantly, archaeologists, historians and social anthropologists, among others, are contributing to developments that go beyond the interpretation of ancient DNA (aDNA) results. A large part of this contribution has taken the form of critique, and has had profound impacts on the ethics, practice, and research frameworks in which much of the world’s aDNA research is being undertaken. In this session, we ask: what next? Thousands of data points are now widely available for research, analytical software and technical expertise are increasingly accessible, and various constituent communities, chief among them Indigenous and other descendant communities, are insisting on a greater say in the use of their data and how it should be interpreted. Here, we invite participants to articulate what we are calling ‘aDNA futures’, that is, new research questions, sampling agendas, methods, practices of collaboration, applications (e.g., repatriation, management of cultural artefacts and natural resources), and knowledge co-creation. These can emerge from existing collaborations or disciplinary knowledge, be goals towards which we should work, or reflect local practices and research strategies often drowned out in the flood of papers and data from major research centres.

Paper 1: Co-designing Sedimentary Ancient DNA Investigations at Aboriginal Archaeological Sites

Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) is increasingly being included in palaeogenomic studies, due to the enormous potential to recover genomic information of past organisms, ranging from microbes to humans. However, like other forms of environmental DNA, sedaDNA research has received little ethical consideration. With the exception of targeted human DNA research from metagenomes, there is virtually no oversight with regard to the use, storage and sovereignty of sedimentary ancient genetic data. From an Indigenous perspective, this could lead to neo-colonial harm and mistrust. Here, we address this issue in the context of Australia, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are deeply connected to Country—what they consider their ancestral home and have a responsibility to care for, and which encompasses the natural and spiritual worlds. This connectedness requires researchers to pause and consider all the genomic information found in sedaDNA—including human and non-human—as Indigenous DNA in its own right. We propose that addressing these challenges requires careful co-design and integration of Indigenous knowledges into sedaDNA research.

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Paper 2: Can Engaged Communities Speak in Ancient DNA Research? Mapping the Past, Present and Futures of Community Engagement in Human Palaeogenomics

To date, scholars have paid limited attention to social aspects of aDNA beyond ethical guidelines, and beyond the lab. Thus far, most of the discussion on the implications for local stakeholders is carried out in the perspective of the ethics of human palaeogenomics and its focus on the prevention of harms. This set of scholarly work has continuously stressed the lack of engagement as a leading point of criticism. This paper aims at mapping the reality of “engaging communities” in human palaeogenomics from an STS and/or anthropological perspective. Based on a systematic literature review, engaging communities effectively means different things for scientists. We explore the rationale for community engagement based on scientific (lines of research/questions asked; involvement of present-day DNA samples), socio-political (types/status of communities (non-)engaged in their national context; historicity of scientists/communities relationship), and institutional factors (funding schemes; regulatory framework). A critical look into past and present practices enables us to address whether and to what extent exposed communities can speak in aDNA research. This allows us to propose alternative ways—aware of social implications at play—to investigate past populations’ mobilities, kinship relations, and other results based on aDNA research in the future.

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Paper 3: Critical Collaborations in Palaeogenomics

Findings from the rapidly growing field of ancient DNA science (aDNA) are increasingly contributing to scientific and popular debates about human and non-human origins, mobilities and migration, social organisation, and health and disease. aDNA research teams have been multidisciplinary from their inception, involving geneticists, statisticians, modelling experts, and archaeologists. However, the recent wide reach of aDNA across new academic fields, and into many contested scientific and popular debates, has led archaeogeneticists to collaborate with increasingly diverse disciplines across the span of the sciences (e.g. palaeontology, conservation biology, microbiology, geochemistry), and the humanities and social sciences (e.g. archaeology, anthropology, philosophy, history, bioethics), as well as members of Indigenous and descendent communities. This paper presents an overview of new scholarship examining the stakes and implications of interdisciplinary knowledge production in aDNA science, ranging from detailed examinations of specific interdisciplinary controversies to continent-wide reviews of research practices. The spaces between disciplines can generate misconceptions about meanings, values, and goals that can derail interdisciplinary and community collaborations. But these discrepancies can also fuel new understandings of our respective disciplines and inspire aDNA researchers to ensure their work has the greatest and most positive impact on our understanding of the past.

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Paper 4: Integrating Indigenous Knowledges in Ancient Environmental Genomics Research

This paper explores the potential of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA; i.e., environmental DNA preserved in sediments) as a complementary palaeoecological tool to gain insights into past ecosystems in Australia. When integrated with Indigenous Knowledges, this approach can help us better understand the environmental history of Australia while respecting the deep connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country. Drawing on research case studies developed at Aboriginal archaeological sites, we demonstrate the importance and benefits of this integrative approach for sedaDNA research. We highlight that co-design should be incorporated at every stage of the research process to ensure findings are meaningfully contextualised within Indigenous oral histories and, importantly, that the values and needs of Indigenous stakeholders are recognised and respected. We also discuss the challenges found along the way and reflect on key lessons learned to help strengthen this approach in future research.

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Paper 5: Paleogenomics: A Tool at the Service of Archaeology? A Pioneering Study in the Iberian Peninsula

Over the last three decades, studies based on ancient DNA have provided vital information about humanity's genetic composition and the foundations of genetic diversity on a phylogeographic level. Today, thanks to collaborations with leading laboratories dedicated exclusively to ancient DNA, substantial funding, and the automation of laboratory processes that have significantly reduced costs, the number of archaeological projects incorporating genetic analyses as a key component is growing exponentially. The challenge lies in the fact that funerary remains have been used repeatedly in macrocontinental studies aimed at describing large-scale migrations and biocultural identities, with little to no consideration of the archaeological context (Bickle and Hofmann 2022).

Recently, a parallel line of research has emerged, focusing on multidisciplinary and microregional studies where archaeologists play a central role (see, for example, Papac et al. 2021). Multiproxy approaches involving DNA, stable isotopes, osteobiographies, taphonomy, and other techniques remain rare. However, the information they can provide is essential for understanding past social structures and addressing contemporary challenges.

This communication will introduce a pioneering project involving human palaeogenomics, that incorporates these new perspectives through a case study on Neolithic communities in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula: the westernmost point of the Neolithic expansion in the Mediterranean route.

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Session Abstract:

This session is inspired by 30 years of working as archaeologists in the context of accelerating development in Africa. The impact of expanding cities, mining, power and transport projects is being felt across the continent, as it is globally. The need to address the inevitable damage to cultural heritage in all of its forms – tangible and intangible – is acknowledged and addressed through a variety of international agreements and standards published over the past 50 years. In addition to national level heritage protection legislation, the broad principles of conservation at an international level have been agreed through UNESCO treaties and conventions, which have been joined in more recent years by important but lesser known international financial standards published or adopted by international lending banks, such as the World Bank/IFC, Asia Development Bank or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These provide clear and increasingly detailed guidance for how cultural heritage should be managed/protected in the projects which they finance. However, the significance of these guidance notes remains limited among heritage professionals and regulators in Africa and beyond, meaning that they are often not applied in practice. At the same time, much development in Africa and elsewhere is being funded by foreign governments – most notably China—through a variety of government-to-government agreements. There is currently less clarity about how heritage identification/protection is managed for such projects. This session will provide an opportunity for practitioners, regulators and policy makers to come together to look at how existing heritage guidance for international development works in practice, identify gaps and consider potential solutions going forward. We welcome papers relating to best practise, implementation and policy development not just from Africa but across the developing world.

Paper 1: Sustainable Development and Cultural Heritage Management in Kenya: Stakes and Perspectives on Development Planning, Funding, Regulatory Framework and Implementation

Cultural heritage has always shaped and been shaped by social, economic and political factors as it defines people’s identities, and their uniqueness in time and space, as well as the relationship among the people of different origin at varied levels of interaction. Infrastructural development presents both opportunities and challenges for the proper identification, study, conservation and promotion of cultural heritage as a human right and a key element of sustainable development. This paper presents three case studies that demonstrate the varied and unique approaches to the issues of cultural heritage management in the context of development in Kenya. The selected projects were arrived at as a sampling strategy based on their varied degrees of representation of the different aspects of cultural heritage in developmental planning, funding, regulatory framework and the progress in implementation across the country for the past three decades. The three case studies are Sondu Miriu Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport - (LAPSSET) Corridor and the Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) projects. The relevancy of each project as a sample was informed by variables such as the stakeholders who were involved, sources of funds, existing regulations, and the implementation period.

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Paper 2: The Economics of Archaeology–Heritage, Finance and Development in West Africa

As populations rise and technological change accelerates, the pace of development across sub-Saharan Africa is dizzying. New roads, railways, mines and energy projects abound. Much of the investment that is enabling the construction of the infrastructure required to support this comes from outside the continent. This comes in all sorts of forms—through government loans, private investment and international bank financing. As concerns about the long-term damage to the environment has increasingly come a global political issue, these investments have increasingly come with conditions attached, including requirements to assess and mitigate their impacts on affected communities, biodiversity, water, air—and cultural heritage. These are articulated in standards such as the IFC/World Bank Performance Standards, which underpin the Equator Standards that are adhered to (in theory at least) by many international financial institutions. In this paper I will consider these standards in more depth, looking at how they have been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 20 years. In doing so I will consider why investors, national regulators and heritage professionals have largely failed to implement them effectively and to consider the mechanisms of doing so more effectively over the coming decades.

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Paper 3: Pre-Construction Archaeology in Nigeria: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Archaeology in Nigeria developed during the colonial period essentially through rescue and salvage archaeology operations in mines and facilities’ construction sites by archaeologists of the nation’s Department of Antiquities. The rescue and salvage archaeology operations were not mandated by legislation or policy but dictated by chance finds of spectacular archaeological objects. Heritage legislations since the colonial period till the present have not considered the protection of archaeological sites against the impacts of mining and construction projects. However, in recent years, the International Financial Corporations (IFCs) have opened a new window for the development of pre-construction archaeology in Nigeria through the enforcement of their cultural resources management policies which require mitigation procedures for heritage resources in projects they fund. Though not required by national legislation, some pre-construction archaeology projects have been undertaken through collaboration by foreign and Nigerian archaeologists. There have been shared experiences and transfer of skills leading to the development of a pool of young Nigerian archaeologists with the required skills to undertake pre-construction archaeology projects. This paper contributes to the discussions on the required framework in terms of enabling national legislations to institutionalise pre-construction archaeology and the structure of the practice in the country.

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Paper 4: Archaeology and Development in Ghana: A study of the Abetifi Stone Age Community Development Park (ASACDP)

Over the years archaeology has contributed to the development of major historic and tourism destinations. In Ghana, the ASACDP is known to be one of the unique tourist destinations in the Eastern Region, which was developed after archaeological investigations in the Bosumpra Rock shelter. The concept of ‘archaeology and development,’ also known as applied archaeology, is the application of archaeological research knowledge/data and techniques to uncover the history (artefacts and ecofacts, features, monuments, and historic landscapes) of an area, which are then applied to the present and used to solve current problems. This is the context in which the Abetifi Stone Age Park Development is discussed, highlighting the archaeological processes that led to the entrepreneurial idea and development of the park as a tourism facility.

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Paper 5: Towards Developer-funded Archaeology in West Africa – Reflections on 10 Years of Fieldwork and Collaboration in South-western Nigeria

As the pace of development and the construction of infrastructure continues to increase in West Africa, this paper considers our experiences as a cultural heritage service provider and knowledge exchange partner working in the region to date.

It will discuss our work in the region in 2014 as a member of the project team working ahead of the construction of the Azura power station. This project had requirements to record portions of the extended Benin City earthworks as part of its responsibility to fulfilling the requirements of International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 8. It will also discuss the rewarding experience of being a knowledge exchange partner working in collaboration with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the British Museum, working with young Nigerian archaeologists at the excavations in the historic core of Benin City ahead of the construction of the new MOWAA cultural campus.

Finally, it will take a look at our aspirations for future work in the area considering the legacy of MOWAA in supporting the development of local archaeological practitioners, the rapid pace of development on the region, and the conditions and standards that are attached to projects by investors and international financial institutions.

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Paper 6: Preconstruction Archaeology and Heritage Management in Nigeria: MOWAA’s Approach and Global Relevance

Preserving Nigeria's cultural heritage is part of the Museum of West African Art's (MOWAA) master plan, and it has carried out some preconstruction archaeological projects such as the Azura-Edo Independent Power Project and the Old Palace Preconstruction Project. These projects integrate traditional excavation methods with contemporary tools such as LiDAR surveys, photogrammetry, and GIS mapping to assess, document, and mitigate the impacts of urban development on archaeological sites.

This paper examines MOWAA's preconstruction projects, highlighting their contributions to heritage conservation, capacity building and community engagements. These initiatives support the larger conversation on sustainable heritage management by educating regional archaeologists, contractors, and Government ministries and agencies as well as encouraging collaborations with international organisations. The outcomes of these projects not only improve historical narratives in Nigeria but also advance worldwide archaeological research, showing how development-driven archaeology can have an impact locally and globally.

This paper advocates a model of archaeology that balances infrastructural development with cultural preservation in West Africa using case studies from MOWAA projects. Additionally, it examines how MOWAA's approach aligns with international standards and provides useful ideas for funders of projects within West Africa to include archaeology in modern development goals as African urban centres grow.

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Session Abstract:

Archaeologists have long been concerned with phenomena that create divisions among human beings: conflict, war, class formation, ethnicity, conspicuous consumption, despotism, the emergence of inequality, and the state. We have been less interested in what brings people together, without violence or coercion. This has been changing recently, with more researchers working on cooperation, collective action and care from the point of view of neoprocessualist, Marxist, feminist, anarchist and indigenous archaeologies. What these new approaches have in common is a concern with intrasocietal relational practices. In this talk I would like to put the focus on external relationality: customs of exchange, hospitality and mutual respect that bring together groups or individuals from communities that are culturally, politically and religiously diverse. I argue that intercultural cohabitation in the past was much more common that we tend to think and that as archaeologists we should strive to visibilise it, not only to better understand the past, but to help construct better futures. I will illustrate my points with examples from the Indian Ocean world.

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Session Abstract: For some decades now there has been a widespread interest in understanding past human occupations framed within the environments they inhabited. What was previously a line of research developed only by a few researchers in South America is now a central concern in most regional archaeological endeavours. The importance given to understanding the interaction between humans and the environment has received a boost, resulting in the development of methodologies that critically address the data sets for establishing such relationships. The definition of analytical scales, the collection of original data, the comparison between environmental and human archives and the focus on the scope and limitations of the results are some of the fields of discussion in environmental archaeology. Besides, from this perspective we derive the possibility of archaeology (and the archaeological record) contributing to the understanding of past climate changes and human answers to such changes, as well as the effects of human action over the inhabited spaces. This session aims to exemplify ways in which research teams have sought comprehensively to resolve questions related to the relationship between human beings and the environment throughout South America, particularly the behaviours in situations of change and the consequences of human imprints over the environment at different spatial scales and without time restrictions.

Paper 1: Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene Megafauna and Human Settlements in Pampa del Tamarugal, Atacama Desert

Abstract: Two thousand old agricultural fields associated with village settlements in the Atacama Desert prompted us to investigate water availability in this hyper arid zone. Oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope values from ancient Prosopis sp. tree-ring cellulose provided a record of relative humidity (RH) and water availability over century-long intervals throughout the past 9.5 ka. The northern section of the Atacama Desert known as Pampa del Tamarugal (PDT) shows evidence that, during the Late Pleistocene (PTa) and the Early Holocene (HTe) (25.4 ka AP at 10.8 ka AP), important hydrological recharge events occurred that enabled the presence of permanent wetlands responsible for the confirmed presence of megafauna and the first human occupations. By applying a groundwater flow numerical model, it was estimated that the recharge reproduced by this palaeowetland is only 2.0 times greater than the current recharge, suggesting that not-so-radical changes in the climate were able to cause momentous changes in the humid ecosystems of the PDT. The favourable climatic conditions in this period were long enough, probably on a millennial scale, to allow the generation of the necessary ecosystems, and then the immigration and survival of the megafauna and the first humans to inhabit this territory.

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Paper 2: “Push the River, It Will Not Flow by Itself”: Rhythms and Flows of a Ravine in the Atacama Desert (3000–200BP)

Abstract: In this study, following a long-term perspective, we examine the relationships that Andean human groups established with their environment in the driest desert in the world. Specifically, we assess the dynamics and histories of the Tarapacá ravine in the Atacama Desert through a multidisciplinary archaeological approach, integrating paleoclimatic data, radiocarbon dating, and the analysis of sites and material culture. Through an extensive set of radiocarbon dates along the ravine of water channels, agricultural structures, and ceremonial features, we identified patterns of seasonal flows and occupation of the Tarapacá ravine over the past 3000 years. Our results reveal distinct natural and anthropic cycles in the lowlands associated with a wetter climate. During the Formative period, the lower portion became a key population locus at Pampa Iluga, hosting villages, extensive agricultural fields, and a monumental tumuli complex. This development was driven by increased humidity in the highlands, which enabled the lower portion to flourish as a population centre, sustained by seasonal summer water flows. However, this dynamic changed during the Late Intermediate Period, when a dry period led to water scarcity on the pampa, generating the emergence of new population centres in the highlands and social dynamics before the Inca Empire's arrival.

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Paper 3: Human Population Shifts During the Holocene in Eastern South America and its Relationship with Rapid Climate Chances (RCCs)

Abstract: Some 20 years ago we suggested that the low frequency of archaeological sites dating from the mid-Holocene in several regions of Eastern South America (which was then called the “Archaic Gap”) was due to an increase in the magnitude of dry periods related to the mid-Holocene hypsithermal. Since then, data regarding paleoenvironmental reconstructions for this vast area, coupled with an increase in the archaeological knowledge, allow us to reassess the idea of the “Archaic Gap” and redefine both the spatial extent of the phenomenon and its possible causes. The new data shows that there is a good match between extreme climatic variability and instances of decrease or gaps in the number of archaeological ages, which we consider as an archaeological signal, a surrogate for the intensity of human presence in a given area. Our approach was directed towards the detection of rapid climatic changes (RCCs), using the coefficient of variation (CV) of the values of paleoenvironmental proxies published by other authors, rather than focusing on ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ periods. Our data strongly suggest that RCCs are the most parsimonious explanations to account for the archaeological age patterns observed throughout Eastern South America.

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Paper 4: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Interpret Human Adaptation to the Semiarid Landscapes of Central Argentina During the Holocene

Abstract: The main goal of this work is to present the results of a multidisciplinary approach in order to understand the variability of adaptations developed by hunter-gatherer groups and its relationship with the Holocene paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes that took place in the Central Pampean Dunefields of Argentina. This area is one of the semi-arid environments located in the centre of Pampean plain of Argentina whose main landforms are longitudinal and parabolic dunes that were generated by intense aeolian activity during the Late Pleistocene and at several times during the Holocene. Archaeological sites are usually recorded in the border of permanent and temporary shallow lakes and some of them were occupied recurrently during the Holocene.

In this occasion, we present novel information on several lines of evidence (zooarchaeology, lithic technology, bioarchaeology and DNA, isotopic, geomorphology, geochronology, and paleoecology) generated in recent years on the contexts and materials studied. These original and abundant data allowed us to recognise and discuss the adaptation and historical trajectories of hunter-gatherers in semi-arid environments considering their burials practices, diet, technological continuity and innovations, mobility patterns, and social interactions, among others.

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Paper 5: Between Foragers and Farmers: Using Rock Art to Redefine the Prehispanic Agricultural Frontier in Argentina

Abstract: This paper analyses the production of rock art as a human response to changes in environmental, social and economic conditions, and focuses on its spatial distribution to discuss the boundary between two different modes of life: foraging and farming in Southern Mendoza (northwest Patagonia, Argentina). Traditionally, it has been proposed that an ‘agricultural frontier’ developed in this region during the second half of the Late Holocene (2,500 years BP onwards). Currently, this scenario has become more complex due to the discovery of evidence of domesticated plant consumption in forager contexts. This paper evaluates the similarities and differences between 89 rock art sites from the Late Holocene, located on both sides of the ‘agricultural frontier’, and the connections between rock art and evidence of domesticated plant consumption. Results show relationships between the spatial dispersion of domesticated plants, painting techniques and complex rectilinear geometric motifs, which are linked to forager groups in southern neighbouring regions. Furthermore, rock art production increased within a time of deep economic and social changes, which include the incorporation of domesticated plants. Thus, the rock art record challenges the traditional idea of an ‘agricultural frontier’, showing that past societies inhabiting the region were more complex than previously known.

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Paper 6: Revised 14C Chronology of the Human Occupation of Central Chile (26°-34° S) and its Relation to Holocene Environmental Change

Abstract: The area of central Chile has long been subjected to archaeological research through scientific as well as cultural research management projects. Surveys, excavations, and sampling over this 100,000 km2 area has yielded over 890 radiocarbon dates (almost 0,009 dates/km2). Dates range from 30,000 cal BP to recent, but the human occupation is constrained to the last 13,000 years and is characterised by a markedly uneven distribution. Taphonomic and research biases are the main factors shaping chronological trends across the region. However, this chronological inventory allows an exploratory exam on the intensity of occupation of different landscapes over time. It also provides means to compare the human chronological signature with regional paleoclimatic data to discuss whether aridity, and therefore shortages in terrestrial resources, exerted pressure over the human groups inhabiting this region. The distribution of dates is fluctuating and even shows periods devoid of chronological signature which can be matched to climate variability. It also exhibits a significant increase over the last three millennia, coupled with a higher intensity of occupations and major transformations in technology, subsistence and mobility. ANID FONDECYT #1241705, FANSA-PUC.

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Paper 7: Middle Holocene Temporal and Spatial Trends in Central Western Santa Cruz Provine (Argentina)

Abstract: In southern Patagonia, the middle Holocene has a chronology of around 8200 years BP, till 4200 years BP. However, in central-western Santa Cruz province (Argentina), these temporal limits are diffuse and do not fully match with a series of environmental (climatic, geological, etc.) and cultural manifestations. High lake basins (Perito Moreno National Park), basaltic plateaus (Strobel, Guitarra, Pampa del Asador) and low lake basins (Cardiel, Pueyrredón/ Posadas and Salitroso) present chronologies and archaeological landscapes that have fluctuated temporally and spatially in different ways. The archaeological record is highly varied and diverse, with a distribution and nature that does not always coincide with archaeological patterns in nearby regions. Thus, chronologies of 6000/7000 years BP are established as the beginning of local human settlement, related to environmental drying conditions both in these chronologies and around 3500/3000 years BP. The aim of this paper is to present the particularities of the Middle Holocene in the study region, taking into account several lines of evidence to discuss the possible climatic/environmental and social causes that have generated this differential archaeological configuration.

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Paper 8: The Cultural Geography of Emerging Landscapes in the Southern Tip of South America: The Archaeology of San Sebastian Bay (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina)

Abstract: The geomorphological evolution of the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego transformed the northern steppe landscape inhabited by hunter-gatherers since the Late Pleistocene. After Mid-Holocene marine transgression, extended plains formed by coastal accretion in San Sebastian Bay, while the coast located to the north and out of the bay receded by erosion. This spatially contrasting dynamic poses different preservation and locational conditions for the coastal archaeological record. Progressive sedimentation within the bay provided new spaces and resources for human use. There, formerly littoral locations turned into inland environments and small islands became hills. Along with this process, the archaeological record in the area shows a shift in human land use from marginal ephemeral to nodal ubiquitous occupations. This presentation explores the relationship of the geomorphological evolution of San Sebastian Bay and the cultural geography of Fuegian hunter-gatherers between 6500 and 1000 years BP. We examine the human answers to environmental changes, the cultural transformation of the landscape and the taphonomic modifications of the archaeological record.

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Paper 9: Early-Mid Holocene Archaeobotanical Record of the Southern Coast of Tierra del Fuego

Abstract: The Early and Middle Holocene was a key period in the process of human settlement of the Fuegian archipelago, being also a period of several climatic and environmental fluctuations that affected human societies. Analysis of charred woody remains from the oldest layers of Binushmuka I, Túnel I, and Imiwaia I, provides valuable vegetation use and management data during this period. Anthracological studies identified 7 taxa, with Nothofagus pumilio and Berberis sp. being the most abundant of all sites. Túnel I had the highest taxonomic diversity, while Imiwaia I had the lowest. These results indicate differences in plant use and environmental conditions between the sites, contributing to a broader understanding of local vegetation dynamics and human-environment interactions in the Fuegian Archipelago during the Holocene.

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