Chacmool Conference: Archaeology and Problems of Social Identity

Identity Crisis: Archaeology and Problems of Social Identity

University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
November 13th to 15th 2009

Call for Presentation Abstracts

The identity of past populations is a
continuing challenge to archaeology.  While
certain social groups erected temples or
monoliths to stake a claim to geographical
territory, others defined their identity through
alternate means. Archaeologists must grapple with
the implications of modern groups who identify
themselves through historic and prehistoric
populations, being aware of biases in the
interpretation of past identities. The fluidity
of identity further complicates the
interpretation of the archaeological record,
prompting archaeologists to attempt to do so by
focusing on contrasting aspects of the
culture.  The 2009 Chacmool conference will bring
together scholars and students investigating
diverse dimensions of this challenging
topic.  Some of the specific themes will include:

1. Construction and maintenance of identity through social memory
2. Architecture and iconography in the delineation of social identity and territory
3. Undressing Identity: Body modification and clothing as identity reinforcement
4. Dynamics of Colonization: Identity negotiation between migrant and colonized populations
5. The role of language and writing systems in social identity
6. Spatial analysis and intrasite variations of social identity
7. Shared and non-shared ideological aspect across and between cultural or ethnic groups
8. One Man’s Meat is Another’s Poison: The relationship between foodways and social identity
9. Social roles as defined by age sets, status and ethnicity within a population
10. Identity Theft: The effect of past and modern population identities in current archaeology
11. Skeletal indicators of identity

Please Note: These are presented as
suggestions­other themes will also be considered

Plenary speakers: Siân Jones, Rosemary Joyce,
Andrew Gardner, Joanna Sofaer, and Ross Jamieson

Abstracts of approximately 150 words should be sent via email to:
<mailto:chaconf@ucalgary.ca>chaconf@ucalgary.ca

Further information is available by navigating http://www.arky.ucalgary.ca
The Deadline for Submissions is March 20th, 2009

archaeology conference identityarchaeology conference identity Published: 3.16.09 / 7am
Tags: archaeology, conference, identity