About The Network

The goal of the Archaeological Woodworking Network is to advance knowledge and understanding amongst researchers working on the use of wood for technological purposes in the archaeological record.

 

The Archaeological Woodworking Network will focus on five main objectives with a focus on technology:

1. Understanding choices of raw materials:

Several woody species have been selected for manufacturing technologies, structures and more during the past. Different selection criteria have played a key role in woodworking choices: mechanical and physical properties of species, morphology, size, cultural woodworking traditions, etc. This Network aims to understand the diversity of selection criteria involved in past woodworking activities.

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2. Understanding woodworking techniques:

In the framework of this Network, we will organise experimental programs to continue widening tool mark reference collections and to corroborate hypotheses of woodworking techniques. We will also expand our ethnographic data on woodworking.

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3. Wood taphonomy: 

Archaeological tool marks are often blurred by taphonomic alterations. Understanding taphonomic processes is an essential task to distinguish technological and use traces from post-use traces. 

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4. Terminology & Glossary:

While in recent years archaeologists have begun to approach wood technology systematically, there is still a lack of established nomenclature, which hinders intra-site comparisons. Further developing an ongoing project to create an open access working glossary will help advance understanding of the use of wood for technological purposes in different times and places.

 

5. New Analytical Methods:

Analysis of archaeological Wood technology has not yet been systematised. This Network aims to define and standardise protocols for woodworking analyses under different types of preservation (waterlogged, charred, dried), exploring and expanding access to new methodologies and techniques.

 

We Seek to Engage and Collaborate

We seek to bring together researchers from diverse geographical and disciplinary backgrounds in order to collaborate. We also aim to use the network to provide training opportunities as a means to expand expertise and further develop advances in existing methods.

 

To further these objectives the network seeks to hold workshops, seminars, and conference sessions, to publish and disseminate information, and to openly share knowledge. Knowledge sharing and dissemination will be facilitated through this website and social media presence alongside the aforementioned workshops and seminars. 

 

Our guiding principles

• Open science (e.g. preprints, Open Access publishing, data and knowledge sharing, public communication and collaboration)

• Ethical research practices in the developing field of wood analysis

• Promoting equality and diversity in academia

• Promoting and creating work and training opportunities

 

New members and queries are welcome, please get in touch with one of the co-organisers.