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Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion
research group

Humans and materiality

This research group focuses on past human materiality to gain insight into, and develop knowledge about our past.

«Kyrkjehaugen» med bauta foran Stødle kirke i Etne.
Memorial monument in front of Stødle church in Etne.
Photo:
UiB

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The group will contribute to the discussions, research, and dissemination of studies investigating the human past through available material traces from human interaction with their environment. 

Humans, by utilizing and engaging with their natural surroundings, shape their environment and are shaped by it in turn. They are in constant interaction with their physical surroundings and engage all their senses doing so. Studying our ancestors’ use of and interaction with their physical environment allows us to learn something about their past activities.

Since the majority of human ancestry takes place in prehistory, the only way for us to learn about the past is through analysis of material traces resulting from past human activities. It is therefore not possible to understand human prehistory or history without taking past human surroundings and materiality into consideration. Throughout our past, human-environment interactions resulted in the creation of material culture. However, in some cases mere focus on humans is not sufficient for a successful interpretation of past human activity, rather humans may be understood as a connective tissue.

This research group focuses on past human materiality to gain insight into, and develop knowledge about our past. The group will contribute to the discussions, research, and dissemination of studies investigating the human past through available material traces from human interaction with their environment. The group will provide a forum for work-in-progress seminars and the development of ideas as well as possible theoretical and methodical applications. Most importantly, it will provide a venue for students and staff to discuss their relevant work and ideas, regardless of geographical location or time period.

Programme spring 2023

Meetings are held on Thursdays

9 March
14.15–15.45                

Information and planning meeting. 
Room: Sydnesplassen 12-13: Undervisningsrom 129

16 March
15.00–16.30

Joseph Ryder, Final draft seminar
External reviewer, Tom McGovern, CUNY, NY 
Thesis supervisors: Ramona Harrison and Niall Sharples (Cardiff University) 
This meeting is digital

27 March
15.00–16.30

Guest lecture, Thomas H. McGovern, City University of New York
Working title: Environmental Humanities and Environmental Archaeology 
This meeting is digital

11 May
14.15–15.45

Post.doc project application presentation, Kristian Reinfjord, LLE UiB
Working title: Medieval Architecture Adaptions for Changing Climates of Little Ice Age Norway  
Room: TBD

25 May
14.15–15.45

Guest lecture, Vicki Szabo, Western Carolina University, NC  
Working title: Whales - Environmental History, Medieval Archaeology, Ancient DNA 
Room: Sydneshaugen skole: Auditorium Q

1 June
14.15–15.45      

PhD project presentation, Mats Skare, AHKR UiB
Clangorous Beasts – A Survey of Metal-Detected Artefacts and Animal Representations from west and east Norway, c. AD 550–750/800
Room: Sydneshaugen skole: Auditorium E