Call for Projects – State of the Field 2020: Archaeology of the Levant
October 10, 2019
Call for Projects
(Photographs, Films, Multi-Media Installations, Posters)
State of the Field 2020: Archaeology of the Levant
Friday, March 13 to Saturday, March 14, 2020
Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Abstract Deadline: December 15, 2019
The Levant, a loosely defined region encompassing the modern countries of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Cyprus, is rich in archaeology and history. The region has been central to the discipline of archaeology since the nineteenth century, and arguably even earlier. A long history of colonial rule, political and religious differences, academic specializations and passions, stark financial inequalities and war continue to inform and limit dialogue not only among local and foreign archaeologists working there, but also among scholars, local communities, government officials, and other stakeholders.
Aware of the ancient and modern importance of the region, the peculiar challenges it poses, the possibilities for collaboration, and the need for creative perspectives, the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University will host State of the Field 2020: Archaeology of the Levant on March 13-14, 2020. The event is part of the Joukowsky Institute’s “State of the Field” conference series, a yearly meeting which aims to highlight and reflect upon specific thematic or regional archaeological topics within a community of scholars whose research engages with those topics.
State of the Field 2020: Archaeology of the Levant will be dedicated to addressing the unique aspects of the Levant through a series of invited papers and presentations, aimed to foster constructive discussion of current and future directions for archaeology in the region. Topics of particular interest include:
- Current directions, critical trends, and lacunae in archaeological research in any part of the Levant, or in the region as a whole
- Museum, archival studies, and other investigations that rely primarily on archaeological legacy data
- The effects of colonial rule, modern geopolitics, fluctuating national boundaries, war, and migration, among many other factors regarding the practice and interpretations of archaeological work in the region
To expand the conversation beyond conventional academic papers, the Joukowsky Institute now invites contributions – particularly from early-career scholars – that touch on the themes of the conference and highlight new and innovative approaches to the study of the Levant. We welcome proposals for traditional conference posters, as well as less traditional projects, such as short films, artwork, podcasts, multi-media installations, or other forms that engage with the themes of the conference in thoughtful and illuminating ways.
Accepted posters and projects will be exhibited throughout the duration of the meeting and will be presented during a dedicated time slot shortly before the Friday-night reception. Contributors are encouraged, though not required, to attend and participate actively in the full conference and will be provided with lunch on Saturday, but will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
To submit a proposal for a poster or project, please send an abstract of 250 words or less to Joukowsky_Institute@brown.edu by December 15, 2019. For questions about this Call for Projects, or about the conference, please visit the conference website, or email Joukowsky_Institute@brown.edu.