Forging Identities course at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (May 3-5, 2010)
In the beginning of May all ten ESR fellows, project administrator Birgit Rasmussen as well as local supervisor Kóstas Kotsákis and two assistants participated in a three-days course of the Forging Identities project (FI), held at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, host institution of ESR Sascha Mauel.
The program consisted of very interesting lectures on the prehistory of Northern Greece, including a general introduction (Kóstas Kotsakis) and subjects on archaeobotanical evidences (Tánia Valamóti), chemical analysis of food residues (Duska Urem-Kótsos), mortuary practices (Sévi Triantafýllou), relations and connections with the Mycenaean Koin (Stélios Andréou), as well as summarising results of the excavations of the toumba of Ássiros (Ken A. Wardle). The only contribution not dealing with Greece was a lecture titled "Growing up on a Bronze Age tell" (Joanna Sofaer) that referred to the Hungarian excavation site at Százhalombatta-Földvár. This latter was indeed a very useful information, since at that time this year's participation at the excavation in Százhalombatta still lay ahead of the ESR fellows - and for some it would even be the first time to participate. The stay in Thessaloníki also included an excursion to the Axiós river where the participants visited the toumbas of Kastanás, Axiochóri and Limnótopos, as well as the exhibitions in the new archaeological museums of Pélla and Thessaloníki.
At this time of the year one was lucky to catch a wide range of wonderful impressions of floral and herbal fragrances in a sun-flooded, Mediterranean spring. With its dulcet clime and outlandish cultural customs on the cusp between Orient and Occident, to some Thessaloníki was apparently the most exciting and peregrine FI course in 2010. The other side of the coin, however, undeniably divulged some unpleasant insights into omnipresent mismatches, displeasing circumstances and a generally complicated daily routine in Greece.
Oh, how felicitous was it thence, after successfully having attended this FI course, full of expectations to crest the holy Mount Ólympos and - on behalf of all ESR fellows - to appeal to the almighty Gods above...
Visiting the Éptapyrgion/Yedi Koule ("Seven Towers"), the Byzantine citadel on the Akrópolis of Thessaloníki. (photo: S. Mauel)
Attending a lecture by Dr. Jo Sofaer on pottery, unearthed at the tell of Százhalombatta-Földvár.(photo: S. Mauel)
Standing on top of the toúmba of Thessaloníki, accompanying Dr. Ken Wardle looking into the Thermaic Gulf. (photo: M.H.G. Kuijpers)
Standing on top of Prof. B. Hänsels old trench on the toúmba of Kastanás. (photo: S. Mauel)
Exciting photo shooting of excited photo-shooters, shooting photos of exciting corn poppies. (photo: S. Mauel)
Posing in front of the little church on top of the toúmba of Limnótopos. (photo: Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS - automatically released by S. Mauel)
Stalking through the high grass on top of the toúmba of Axiochóri. (photo: S. Mauel)
A 60% Forging Identities team on the Paralía promenade in Thessaloníki with the White Tower, landmark of the city, in the background. (photo: S. Mauel)
Two proud mountain goats in front of the first refugee camp at Mount Ólympos (2100 m). (photo: Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS - automatically released by S. Mauel)
Priceless offerings and an awestruck obeisance to the sacred divinities of Mount Ólympos. (photo: M.H.G. Kuijpers)
The Forging Identities team is proudly presenting its official human sacrifice, just moments before its heart-rending pass-away. (photo: M.H.G. Kuijpers)
"Bless the Forging Identities team!"
(capture: S. Mauel)
Forging Identities Meeting, Kiel 25th – 26th January 2010
Following the first annual Berlin meeting, the Forging Identities team struggled their way across a wintery Germany to attend the course ‘Management of organic and inorganic data’ in Kiel.
The lectures and discussions covered a wide range of topics, from a general introduction to ecology and society (Johannes Müller), to the use of archaeobotanical data (Wiebke Kirleis). We were also given further insights into the use of environmental data through presentations on current research by CAU-Kiel; palynology for Bronze Age landscape reconstruction (Walter Dörfler), plant macrofossils for information on Bronze Age economies (Almuth Alsleben) and statistical approaches to archaeobotanical data (Ingo Feeser, Helmut Kroll and Johannes Müller). Particularly interesting were discussion over potential misunderstandings that can occur between environmental scientists and archaeologists when either side fails to fully appreciate the potentials and limitations of the others’ research.
One of the highlights of the course was the tour of laboratory facilities at CAU-Kiel. We viewed the archaeobotanical laboratory at the Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, which houses a large reference collection. We also toured the Leibniz laboratory facilities, where radiocarbon dating is carried out, where we were lucky enough to be granted an audience with Olga. This rather special lady is the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system used for the analysis of 14C samples. Rather helpfully, the lab was dotted with cartoon depictions of just what occurs inside the mysterious Olga!
Preparing for intense environmental/archaeological discussion (Photo: S. Mauel)
The archaeobotanical reference collection (Photo: M. Kuijpers)
The FI teams is introduced to Olga by Dr. Marie-Josée Nadeau of the Leibniz Laboratory (Photo: S. Mauel)
Radiocarbon dating for dummies… (Photo: M. Kuijpers)
Finding time for food and relaxation during our hectic January schedule (Photo: N. Taylor)
”DNA: A Revolution in Archaeology?” An aDNA Research Seminar
Gothenburg University
21-22nd October, 2010 The primary purpose of this conference was to open up dialogue between hard-core geneticists and archaeologists, and once the floodgates opened, a trickle of discussion morphed into a cacophony! Starting lectures concerned some of the basic information needed for working with this revolutionary—and revolutionizing—material: what to sample, how much is needed, and how to store it/conditions of best preservation. The geneticists proceeded to de-bunk both myths and mythically complex scientific jargon, and then those brave few intrepid archaeologists bold enough to bring cutting edge genetic advances into dusty museums and archaeological stores took the stage. Notable (and eye-opening) lectures were presented by Eske Willerslev on paleogenomics, Mark Thomas on genetic modelling and the spread of dairying and lactase persistence, and Agnar Helgeson on statistics and the genetic heritage of Iceland. Åsa M. Larssons’c closing treatise on the theoretical issues surrounding the employment of genetics in archaeological research not only engendered huge debates within the context of the seminar itself, but also continued later that evening amongst the FI crowd at the local pub!
Pre-cleaning procedures, Sr-spec Chemistry and TIMS Mass Spectrometry for Sr Isotope Analyses of Archaeological Human Teeth Workshop
Friday June 11, 2010
Geology and Geography Institute
University of Copenhagen
In a real-life archaeological rendition of the tooth fairies of childhood myth, a portion of the Forging team has been collecting dental samples from various and sundry collections of human remains across Europe in the course of their research. These samples are to be subjected to strontium analysis, which can be an excellent indication of migration. In light of this, a select potion of the group met with Karin Frei, Prof. Robert Frei and Dr. T. D. Price at Copenhagen University’s Geology department for a one-day workshop on strontium analysis theory and practice. In the afternoon, the ladies got suited up and went into the laboratory for a hands-on session in strontium sample pre-cleaning procedures.
Team Strontium! Karin Frei on the far left, then FI members Dalia Pokutta, Samantha Reiter and Vanessa Guyot.
Forger Nicole Taylor on the far right. Not pictured: Heide Wrobel Nørgaard.
European Science Open Forum and Marie Curie Satellite Event
One may love Paris in the springtime, but there is nothing like Torino in summer! Forging Identities ERs Nicole Taylor, Heide Wrobel Nørgaard, Maikel Kuijpers, Vanessa Guyot and Samantha Reiter made their way to sunny Italy in July of 2010 for the pan-European ESOF (European Science Open Forum) conference in Torino. They attended the pre-conference satellite event specifically for Marie Curie Actions project members, where each person presented a poster and took part in a series of lectures and workshops aimed at preparing for a professional career in the sciences. A portion of the group stayed on for the duration of ESOF, attending cutting-edge lectures by top researchers in everything from the science of compassion to themes of communication in primates and science in the media to the functional usage of brain waves in terms of machinery!
In between these fascinating lectures, Forgers look in some of the local sites (and a lot of local gelato!), visiting Turin’s own Royal Library’s collection of original da Vincis as well as nearby CERN. One evening of the conference, the ESOF syndicate held a buffet reception in the courtyard of the Castello Valentino, a 17th century French-style chateau on the banks of the Po river. It was an excellent kickoff for the excavation season, as the team flew out shortly thereafter for a two-week excavation at Szazhalombatta, Hungary!
Figur 1 Marie Curie Satellite event: Nicole Taylor’s
poster is a brief moment of familiarity midst a stormy
sea of molecular science posters [Photo: S. Reiter]
Figur 2 FI’s only Dutchman Maikel Kuijpers
celebrates the Dutch victory over Brazil with
a local fan! [Photo: N. Taylor]
Figur 3 Some of the Forging Team accelerating (Social!) science
Figur 4 The Forging Team, shined up for the Castello Valentino
reception before getting down and dirty at the excavations at Szazhalombatta!
Department of Anthropology, Archaeology and Linguistics | Aarhus University | Moesgård Allé 20 | DK-8270 Højbjerg | Denmark | Email: aal@au.dk | Tel: +45 8942 1111
