Over the last few years, waterscape has emerged as a key concept in landscape studies, and the archaeology of waterscapes has stimulated original research and theoretical debate about the dynamic characters of maritime regions, riverine areas, marshlands, lake ecosystems and similar environments. The archaeology of waterscapes is among the most relevant themes of contemporary archaeology, and it can provide crucial insights to understand and tackle present day challenges in the interplay between society and environment. The AoW International Conference aims to explore the richness and complexity of waterscapes, stressing their crucial role in shaping economies, identities, and memories from an archaeological perspective.
AoW will host cutting-edge presentations addressing theoretical and methodological aspects and recent projects and discoveries. Discussions will highlight how waterscapes impacted biodiversity, fostered connectivity and economic production, as well as facilitated the mobility of goods, knowledge, techniques, practices, and people, or conversely represented obstacles generating isolation, marginality, or exclusion. A special focus will regard palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomic reconstructions with an emphasis on human mobility and sustainability of ancient socio-ecological systems.
AoW will provide an updated overview of the latest scientific advancements on the materiality and temporality of waterscapes and open new perspectives into the archaeologies of such critical places.
Key topics will cover:
- Changes in natural and built landscapes within marine, lake or river environments
- The economy of waterscapes: coastal productions, material culture and trade
- Ritual dimensions of waterscapes
- Identity and memory in waterscapes
The Congress will be opened by a joint keynote lecture delivered by Cyprian Broodbank (Cambridge University) and Giulio Lucarini (CNR). The second day conference will host two other prominent scholars as kenote speakers, Alexandra Livarda (Institut Català d'Arqueologia Clàssica) and Stefano Medas (University of Bologna).
The deadline for submitting oral contributions and posters to the Conference Organization Committee is February 28th, 2025.
Submission should include a title, an abstract up to 300 words (excluding bibliography) clearly reflecting the content of the presentation, 5 keywords (in the case of multiple authors, provide the name of a corresponding author).
Mailbox for submissions: disci.aow@unibo.it
Proposals should make explicit one of the above-mentioned pillars. Authors may express their preferred format (oral presentation or poster), but the Scientific Committee reserves the right to make the final decision.
By March 26th 2025, the organizing committee will communicate the final placement of each proposal. After that date, authors will be able to register in the "conference registration" section.
The printing of the poster will be at the expense of the proposer. Technical details about poster layout will be provided in a subsequent communication. A short communications section (5 minutes each) will be dedicated to the presentation of the posters. An online version of abstracts and posters will be uploaded to the AoW website with the prior consent of the authors.
The conference will be held in person. In case of documented needs, the Scientific Committee will consider requests for online presentations.
Cover image: Naxos, Portara (Credits: Greeka.com)