The archaeological record has traditionally been analysed on the basis of durable materials such as lithic industries, pottery or metal. However, most of the material culture of the past consisted of perishable materials that are not usually preserved in the archaeological record. The forest provided human societies with abundant plant resources used for different purposes: food, fuel, textiles, tool making, construction, etc. The exploitation of these and other plant resources by human societies throughout history is of great interest in archaeological research.Activities related to plant technology in the past (wood and bark working, basketry, cordage) are poorly represented in the archaeological record due to the perishable nature of this type of artefacts, where various biological agents act on organic matter. However, when these artefacts are preserved under exceptional conditions, their study makes it possible to obtain valuable information regarding plant raw materials exploited, production techniques and Traditional Ecological Knowledge transmitted from generation to generation over time. In recent years, innovative results have been obtained by combining archaeobotany, traceology, use-wear and residue analyses, 3D scanning, experimental archaeology, ethnobotany, ethnoarchaeology, etc. The application of diverse methods in the analysis of plant-based artefacts provides a more comprehensive understanding of technological knowledge and the exploitation of natural resources in the past.
This workshop aims to offer an open space for discussion and exchange, under the form of invited lectures and oral communications related to the analysis of archaeological plant-based artefacts. We invite oral presentations which approach analyses of these perishable objects using varying methods (archaeological / ethnoarchaeological case studies, experiments, use-wear and residue analyses, etc), and new methodological approaches to analysing archaeological plant artefacts (wooden / bark objects, basketry, cordage elements) which are currently contributing to methodological and theoretical advances in the study of these technologies that so often remain invisible.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required before 16th of March 2025. Submission form (contact details, title and abstract of max. 250 words) is available here: https://bit.ly/3ZUrjBa
We look forward to meeting you in May in Tenerife
Dates: 27th – 29th of May 2025
Venue: Universidad de La Laguna (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain)
Organising committee: Paloma Vidal Matutano; Annemieke Milks; Oriol López Bultó; Raquel Piqué Huerta.Info: pvidalma@ull.edu.es
Registration deadline (submission of abstracts): 16th of March 2025
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