Calendar of Events

Trial By Fire Conference

Date
-
Organised by
UCL (UK)
Country
United Kingdom
Website
https://www.trialbyfireteam.com
Era(s)
Palaeolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Roman Era
Viking Age
Early Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages

Free to attend. Fire always leaves its mark and a wealth of information behind. This conference aims to explore these events by bringing together ideas from across archaeological and anthropological sub-disciplines. Registration now extended until 31 March 2019.

Where: UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Square, Kings Cross, London WC1H 0PY, UK

Fire represents one of the most powerful forces in the archaeological record. It is harnessed to destroy or transform, or it can act as a force on its own, bringing disaster or a new ground on which to build.  What is left after a trial by fire can be used to understand not only the process of transformation, but can even be an indicator of material properties prior to exposure. Whether your interest lies in archaeomaterials, burned bone, pyrotechnology, or accidental burning, fire always leaves its mark and a wealth of information behind.

This conference aims to explore these events by bringing together ideas from across archaeological and anthropological sub-disciplines. Abstracts can cover a range of topics and case studies, however, the conference aims to answer the following questions:

  • Can fire be considered an artefact? 

  • How have people engaged with fire over the course of history?

  • What can the aesthetics of a thermally altered object tell us about the burning event?

  • How has the study of fire evolved within the literature? How can fire be harnessed as an experimental tool moving forward?

Students and professionals alike are encouraged to contribute towards the development of this interdisciplinary understanding of fire. A wide range of presentations are expected from researchers who study or use fire for their research.

 

Information to Note

To facilitate student attendance, we are able to provide some student travel bursaries of £30.  For more information please see the Student Bursaries page.
The conference is one and a half days long.
A free lunch will be provided on Friday 17 May only.
A sponsored drinks reception will take place at a nearby pub on the evening of the 16th. Information about the reception will be sent to attendees at a closer date.