Monthly Archives: September 2014

Position Announcements

Position Announcement: Lecturer in Classical Archaeology, University of Durham

Lecturer in Classical Archaeology, University of Durham, Department of Archaeology

Two-year fixed term post

The Department of Archaeology seeks to appoint a developing academic who is actively engaged in research into the Archaeology of Greece, Anatolia/Asia Minor and the Aegean in the Classical and Hellenistic periods with a knowledge of prehistory. Their research interests should include one or more of the following: material culture (including ceramics, artistic production and architecture), GIS and landscape archaeology, Cultural Heritage. He/she will complement existing teaching in Classical and Roman Archaeology which is currently focused on Britain, France, Italy, North Africa and Egypt, Syria and Jordan, and in the Roman and Byzantine periods.  While the specific teaching requirements of the post will include Classical Archaeology, the candidate will also be expected to develop opportunities for engagement with colleagues working on the Bronze and Iron Age archaeology of Europe and west and south Asia.

Durham is one of Britain’s leading universities for teaching and research. The Archaeology Department was ranked first in the UK in the Research Assessment exercise 2008 and third for our subject in both the Times Good University Guide 2013 and the Complete University Guide 2013 and fourth in the Guardian University Guide. Archaeology has been taught here since 1931 and the Department now has one of the largest teaching groups in the UK, totalling 31 full-time members of teaching staff, as well as research staff working on a variety of archaeological projects. We host 15 postdoctoral researchers and over 100 research postgraduates. The successful candidate will combine pursuit of their academic research agenda with a strong commitment to teaching and fieldwork, and will also contribute to the development of new activities. Research in the Department is organised through a number of research groups and the new appointee would be expected to contribute to one or more of these groups. The successful applicant will also be involved in the delivery of postgraduate research supervision as well as taught undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Applicants must state how they will meet international standards of excellence. This should include a two-year personal research plan and impact activities that support and enhance the research strategy of the Department and its standing as a UK and world-leading centre for archaeology. Candidates should also be able to show how their research will impact on debates within and beyond the discipline and strengthen Durham’s profile as an international centre for postgraduate studies. The successful candidate will be expected to start on the 1 January 2015 or as soon as possible after that date. The post is fixed term until 31 December 2016.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

Further information is available at http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AJQ781/lecturer-in-classical-archaeology , JobsCentre Plus and the Durham University webpages.

 

Position Announcements

Position Announcement: ISAW Research Scholars (NYU) — Deadline December 1, 2014

Each year the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University, makes about 7 appointments of visiting research scholars. ISAW’s scope embraces research and graduate education in the history, archaeology, and culture of the entire Old World from late prehistoric times to the eighth century AD, including Asia and Africa. Projects of a theoretical or comparative nature relevant to this domain are also welcome. Academic visitors at ISAW should be individuals of scholarly distinction or promise in any relevant field of ancient studies who will benefit from the stimulation of working in an environment with colleagues in other disciplines. Applicants with a history of interdisciplinary exchange are particularly welcome. Scholars are expected to be in residence at the Institute during the period for which they are appointed and to take part in the intellectual life of the community.

For details about the categories of scholars, the financial support, and the application, please visit http://isaw.nyu.edu/academics/visiting-scholars. The application deadline for 2015-16 appointments is December 1, 2014. New York University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

CFP

CFP: Archaeological Review from Cambridge — Deadline 31 October 2014

Call for papers from the Archaeological Review from Cambridge

Archaeology: Myths within and without
Volume 30.2, November 2015

Theme editors: Barbora Janulikova ([email protected]) and Ben Hinson ([email protected])

As a discipline, archaeology is heavily affected by mythology. This is true within the field itself, perpetuated by the often persistent opinion gap between theoreticians and archaeologists more rooted in the field or material studies. Equally, archaeological methods are not spared stigmas and subsequent mythisisations, for example when careful stratigraphic excavating replaced the large-scale unearthing approach of the nineteenth and early twentieth century (in fact still practised in many areas of the world).

The effect of mythology also holds for how archaeology is understood by the wider public. It is often viewed as having a certain mystique, perpetuated both by fictional icons such as Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, but also by so-called ‘pseudo-archaeologists’ and their often controversial ideas—most famously Erich von Däniken’s theories of ‘ancient astronauts’. This is of course a double-edged sword, in that it brings archaeology into the public consciousness and imagination, but also creates misunderstandings about the work, methods and goals of archaeologists, and the importance of the discipline as a whole. Similarly, the nature of archaeology is often seen through a ‘mythological’ lens by other academic disciplines. Is it a science or a humanity? The nature and purpose of archaeology has been reconsidered many times over the years—recently, figures such as Holtorf have argued that archaeology should consider itself a ‘brand’, to take advantage of public feeling and best diminish the gap between public perceptions and understanding. The nature of work and funding means archaeology has had to take on an increasingly public face and role in recent times, which has changed the very nature of how it is communicated to the world. ‘Outreach’ is now a key buzzword in archaeological discourse, and how best to provide it is an ever-evolving debate. These are all topics at the forefront of modern archaeology, and can only benefit from a collected body of academic opinions and experiences.

We invite contributors to explore the topic of ‘archaeological myths’, in all of its meanings. We encourage paper abstracts discussing the theme from numerous view points, including (but not limited to) those suggested below.

  • Friction between archaeologists and the public.
    This can be most clearly seen due to so-called ‘pseudo-scientific’ literature. What are the effects of such literature? Is it inherently problematic or does it hold any value? Are its limitations solvable? How should problems with such literature best be approached, and how are they best explained to the public?
  • Myths, problems and stereotypes within the discipline of archaeology.
    Can we see any problems in archaeological theory and methodology that persevere (for example uniformitarianism, simplification of evidence and interpretation, problematic use of methods, lack of interdisciplinarity?)
  • The myth of ‘archaeology’.
    Debunking popular stereotypes, such as how archaeology is viewed as a field, or discussing any aspects of the discipline itself (from salary to the lifestyle of an archaeologist, the nature of and life at excavations, etc). Do fictitious depictions of archaeology and archaeology affect public perceptions of the discipline?
  • The politics of archaeology.
    How has archaeology been used (or misused) to perpetuate myths by peoples and nations, for example justifying occupation of territories, or the importance of certain peoples over others?
  • Justifying archaeology as a discipline.
    Is archaeology well-respected compared to other academic fields? How should archaeology view and market itself? What is its place amongst the sciences and humanities? What direct impact (academically, socially and economically) can archaeology have on current society? How can we reason its importance against the argument of ‘science for its own purpose’?
  • The question of outreach.
    What is the importance of engagement in the modern world? How has the nature of outreach changed over time? What are the limitations of current approaches to communication, and how could these be bettered?

Please send an abstract of not more than 500 words to Ben Hinson ([email protected]) and Barbora Janulíková ([email protected]) by the 31st October 2014. Abstracts will be selected based on certain criteria – relevance to the volume theme, originality and interest of research, and clarity of thought. Successful applicants will be notified, and first drafts of papers (not exceeding 4000 words) will be due 15th January 2015, for publication in November 2015. Style guidelines and notes for contributors can be found at http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/arc/contribute.html.

The Archaeological Review from Cambridge is a not-for-profit journal managed and published on a voluntary basis by postgraduate archaeology research students at the University of Cambridge. Issues are published twice a year. Although primarily rooted in archaeological theory and practice, the ARC accommodates a wide range of perspectives in the hope of establishing a strong, interdisciplinary journal which will be of interest to those engaged in a range of fields, and therefore breaking down some of the boundaries that exist between disciplines.

http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/arc/

Funding & Fellowships, Position Announcements

American School of Classical Studies at Athens NEH Fellowships — Deadline October 31, 2014

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS

NEH FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: October 31

Founded in 1881, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) is the most significant resource in Greece for American scholars in the fields of Greek language, literature, history, archaeology, philosophy, and art, from pre-Hellenic times to the present. It offers two major research libraries: the Blegen, with over 100,000 volumes dedicated to the ancient Mediterranean world; and the Gennadius, with over 120,000 volumes and archives devoted to post-classical Hellenic civilization and, more broadly, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean. The School also sponsors excavations and provides centers for advanced research in archaeological and related topics at its excavations in the Athenian Agora and Corinth, and it houses an archaeological laboratory at the main building complex in Athens. By agreement with the Greek government, the ASCSA is authorized to serve as liaison with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism on behalf of American students and scholars for the acquisition of permits to conduct archaeological work and to study museum collections.

Since its inception in 1994, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship program at the ASCSA has demonstrated its effectiveness by supporting projects for 43 scholars with distinguished research and teaching careers in the humanities.

Eligibility:  Postdoctoral scholars and professionals in relevant fields including architecture or art who are US citizens or foreign nationals who have lived in the US for the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Applicants must already hold their Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree at the time of application. The ASCSA encourages younger scholars to apply.

Terms:  Two to four fellowships, either five or ten months in duration. Stipend for a five-month project, $21,000; for a ten-month project, $42,000. Term must coincide with American School’s academic year, September to June. School fees are waived, and the award provides lunches at Loring Hall five days per week. The NEH Fellow will pay for travel costs, housing, partial board, residence permit, and other living expenses from the stipend. A final report is due at the end of the award period, and the ASCSA expects that copies of all publications that result from research conducted as a Fellow of the ASCSA be contributed to the relevant library of the School. The NEH Fellow is required to send one copy of all books and electronic copies of articles to the NEH.

NEH Fellows will be expected to reside primarily at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (though research may be carried out elsewhere in Greece), contribute to and enhance the scholarly dialogue, as well as contribute to and expand scholarly horizons at the School.

Application: Submit Senior Associate Membership application with fellowship online on the ASCSA web site by October 31. Link to:
http://www.ascsa.edu.gr/index.php/admission-membership/student-associate-membership.

The following items should be attached to the Associate Member application submitted online on the ASCSA web site:
1.   Short abstract of the project (up to 300 words).
2.   A statement of the project (up to five pages), including desired number of months in Greece, a timetable, explicit goals, a selected bibliography, the importance of the work, the methodologies involved, where applicable, and the reasons it should occur at the ASCSA.
3.   Current curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.  If not a US citizen, state US visa status /date of residence.
4.   Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with applicant’s work and field of interest.  These letters should comment on the feasibility of the project and the applicant’s ability to carry it out successfully.  Include a list of names, positions, and addresses of the referees.  Instruct recommenders to submit letters to [email protected] by November 4.

The following criteria will be used by the Selection Committee when considering applications.
1.  Are the objectives and approaches clearly stated and coherent?
2.  Will the project result in an important and original contribution?
3.  Are the research perspectives and methodologies appropriate?
4.  Is the projected timetable reasonable for the tenure of the fellowship?
5.  What resources are necessary? Does the ASCSA provide resources that are not available at the home institution?
6.  Will residence in Greece contribute substantially to the success of the project?
7.  Please address how you might contribute to, and enhance, the scholarly dialogue at the ASCSA.
8.  In what ways might this project expand scholarly horizons at the ASCSA?

NEH Fellowships
American School of Classical Studies at Athens
6-8 Charlton Street
Princeton, NJ  08540-5232
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.ascsa.edu.gr

The awards will be announced during February. Awardees will be expected to accept the award within two weeks of notification of funding, but no later than March 1.

The American School of Classical Studies at Athens does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, ethnic origin, or disability when considering admission to any form of membership or application for employment.

CFP

CFP: Networks of Dominance (Session at TAG 2014, Manchester, UK) — Deadline October 17, 2014

***CALL FOR PAPERS***

TAG 2014, 15th-17th December, Manchester, UK

We invite contributions for the following session confirmed for the Theoretical Archaeology Group conference 2014.  We are seeking 20-minute presentations with no restriction on period or region.  Please send abstracts of no more than 300 words along with your name, affiliation and contact details to [email protected] and [email protected] by  Friday the 17th of October 2014.

SESSION:

**Networks of dominance – Aspects of inclusion and exclusion in archaeological approaches to social connectivity**

Organisers: Kathrin Felder (University of Cambridge), Dr Toby Martin (University of Oxford)

Recent theoretical work on the nature of human-object relationships increasingly informs the study of past social networks. As a consequence, archaeology is embracing the view that studying past human connectivity is not just a matter of reconstructing the static material traces of social networks but an attempt to understand how people and objects interacted in a dynamic fashion to physically and mentally furnish the fabric of human society.

Networks can be used in the pursuit and maintenance of social dominance through strategies of inclusion and exclusion. Simultaneously, networks of dominance can be resisted, contested or transformed through intentional non-participation or counter-activities. Such strategies are performed in arenas that are inescapably material, including access to (or prohibition from) objects circulated in exchange networks, or intentional segregation in the built and natural environment.

We are interested in the archaeological study of such social and material strategies in the formation, maintenance and disintegration of networks and invite papers (20 minutes) from various fields of archaeological and interdisciplinary research that deal with, but need not be limited to, the following themes:

• Strategies of dominance through networks, their successes and failures
• Socio-material practices of networking (trade, gift exchange etc.) and material culture as a means of enabling dominance
• The biographies of networks of dominance
• Forms of participation and non-participation and their intended and non-intended consequences
• Inclusion and exclusion by access to (or prohibition from) specific material culture
• Methodological approaches to inclusion and exclusion in the study of human connectivity, including formal network-analytical approaches

Please forward to anyone who may be interested.