Call for Papers, deadline 21 September
TAG2020, Leicester, UK, Session 29: Sensing Textiles and Cogitating Craft Technology
The 2020 annual meeting of the Theoretical Archaeology Group will take place in Leicester from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th December
Session Abstract:
The primary goal of this session is to create a common framework that will engender inter- and intradisciplinary discussions of how to address textiles and craft technology theories and methods in the 21st Century. The intention of this session is to explore the burgeoning methods and theories for a comprehensive approach to studying craft technology holistically and begin conceptualizing how our multi-faceted disciplines may work towards this goal.
Current research networks already establishing such approaches include foundational research in experimental archaeology, sensory perception, scientific and non-invasive technology methods. Recent publications (eg., Harris 2020; Kania 2015) have demonstrated the drive towards incorporating sensory perception of textiles and production and the explicit role of crafter in production which has traditionally been placed rather implicitly, as well as grappling with difficult dimensions of craft, such as creativity (Bender Jørgensen et al. 2018), which implore us to examine across the spectrum of technologies.
This session encourages paper submissions on broad topics including, but not limited to:
- Sensory perception of textile craft
- Haptic connections and cognitive archaeology in textile craft technology
- Epistemology of textile production
- Uniting experimental and experiential textile archaeology
- Ethnography in archaeological textile studies
Peripheral studies which bear on these themes are also welcome, and may include:
- Human/non-human interactions within relevant craft spheres
- Case studies demonstrating comprehensive and integrated approaches of craft technology
- Development of theoretical perspectives with broad applicability to craft technology
- Epistemological advancements and anthropological explorations of embedded craft technology
To submit a paper you need a title and an abstract, which should be no more than 250 words long. The organizers will review the abstracts at the closing date for the call for papers (21 September 2020) and will respond as promptly as possible to those accepted speakers.
If you have any questions or need clarification on the appropriateness of your topic or theme for this session, do not hesitate to get into contact with either of the organizers. Further questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the operation of TAG can be directed at the organizers of the conference. Updates will posted to the TAG2020 website (https://tagleicester2020.wordpress.com/) as they arise.
On behalf of Lisa Venables, we look forward to reading your abstract submissions and bringing together many perspectives for what will be an excellent session.
Thank you,
Jennifer Beamer, PhD candidate, Final Year, University of Leicester (UK)
