Fifth Arheoinvest Symposium

‘Stories Written in Stone’

International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials

20–24 August 201



"Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iasi, Romania




http://arheoinvestsymposium.uaic.ro/stone

As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone
stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and
at some sites the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner
of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even
predates the appearance of our own species. Being so widespread both
geographically as well as chronologically, this topic merits a global meeting of
researchers to discuss and compare our findings.

This conference will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw
materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on
these materials. Although we expect that there will be more focus on chert and
other microcrystalline quartz varieties, we also encourage presentations related
to other knappable materials such as obsidian, quartzite, rhyolite and others.
Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field
archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper
yourself, come tell us your stories.

Main Sessions

The symposium will focus on two major themes: (1) the chaîne opératoire of
knapped stone artefacts, and (2) auxilliary sciences related to lithics (in
particular microcrystaline quartz).

Theme 1 - Chaîne opératoire

- Raw material exploitation strategies — mining and surface collecting

- Ancient lithic trade and economics

- Stone tool production and processing techniques

- Use-wear analyses — signs of usage on stone tools (a.k.a. traceology)

Theme 2 - Auxilliary sciences

- Microcrystaline quartz as a geological material

- Characterising lithic sources

- Lithotheques — collections of comparative raw materials

- Gemology — Microcrystaline quartz as a gemstone today and in the past

Sessions Proposals

We are pleased to invite proposals for themed sessions, round table
discussions or workshops for the upcoming symposium. Sessions are invited on
current issues and research in the field of microcrystaline quartz (knapped or
otherwise) or knappable materials in general. Sessions may be specific to
methodology, regional research, or any other theme.

More information

For more information, please visit the symposium website.

This symposium is organised by Arheoinvest –
Interdisciplinary Research Platform in the Field of Archaeology, Faculty of
History, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iaşi, Romania

Downloads:

Small poster:


http://arheoinvestsymposium.uaic.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/5th-Arheoinves-Symposium-International-Symposium-on-Chert-and-other-Knappable-Materials.jpg

A3 size poster:


http://arheoinvestsymposium.uaic.ro/august_2013/5th%20Arheoinves%20Symposium%20-%20International%20Symposium%20on%20Chert%20and%20other%20Knappable%20Materials%20-%20full%20size%20poster.jpg

1st announcement (pdf):


http://arheoinvestsymposium.uaic.ro/august_2013/International%20Symposium%20on%20Chert%20and%20other%20Knappable%20Materials%20-%201st%20Announcement.pdf