Protohistoric Sciences Research Articles

The Story of the International Scientific Commission of the UISPP for Archaeometry of Pre- and Protohistoric Inorganic Artifacts, Materials and Technologies

The International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (UISPP), an organisation with over 90 years of history, includes all the fields and disciplines that contribute to the development of prehistory and protohistory. To achieve their goals, the UISPP organises periodically a world congress on prehistoric and protohistoric sciences. Based on proposals received, the general assembly decides on the creation of scientific commissions, following the advice of the executive committee of the UISPP. The main objective of these commissions is to promote and coordinate international research in a specific or specialised domain of the prehistoric and protohistoric sciences between each world congress. Based on the success and interest shown in a session of the 17th UISPP Congress, the need has arisen to create a new scientific commission in the field of archaeometry. This brief text describes the creation of this commission and its scientific activities to date. The commission aims at discussing and transmitting the archaeometric approaches to technologies in Prehistory and Protohistory concerning lithic technology, metallurgy, ceramics and glass making; gathering and organising the results, conclusions and circumstances of archaeometric case studies of artifacts; paying particular attention to production, procurement and characterisation of raw materials, and fabrication technologies; and discussing relevant interdisciplinary investigation methods and techniques.

Vincent Ard and Lucile Pillot editors, 'Giants in the Landscape: Monumentality and Territories in the European Neolithic. Proceedings of the XV11 International Union of the Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences World Congress. Volume 3'

Vincent Ard and Lucile Pillot eds, Giants in the Landscape: Monumentality and Territories in the European Neolithic. Proceedings of the XV11 International Union of the Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences World Congress. Edited by Volume 3 / Session A25d. Oxford, UK: Archaeopress (2016). Paperback, English, vi+94 pages; illustrated throughout in black and white. ISBN: 9781784912857. £26.00. Also available to download from Archaeopress Open Access.

Childe and the International Congresses of Archaeology

In this article Childe's commitment to internationalism and, in particular, to the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (CISPP) is analysed. Personal correspondence between Childe and Myres and, to a lesser extent, other archaeologists, is used as the basis to consider the different stages in Childe's involvement in the CISPP. After an overview of the emergence of international congresses, the article looks at the formation of an interest group that resulted in the creation of the CISPP. The challenges brought by Nazi Germany to the international scene, and to Childe's positioning in it, are also explored. The article then examines his role in the revival of the international congress during and after the Second World War and his lesser commitment from the third conference in 1950. Finally, some comments are made on the value of archives for the history of archaeology, on the lack of connection between Childe's internationalism and Marxism, and on the need to further investigate the relationship between Childe and Myres.

Salvaging ethnology

Richard Nunoo was born 1922, Ghana. Achimota College (1938–45). Assistant curator (1945–48) then curator (1948–50), Anthropology Museum, Achimota College (also librarian and teacher at the college). University of London Institute of Archaeology, post‐graduate course in prehistoric European archaeology, and Museums Association diploma (1950–53). Temporary Assistant, British Museum (1954). Senior officer, National Museum, University College of Ghana (1954–58). Ghana Museum and Monuments Board (1958–61). Director, Ghana Museum and Monuments (1961). Permanent councillor, International Union of Protohistoric and Prehistoric Sciences. Vice‐president, general assembly of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Rome. Vice‐president, Museums Association of Tropical Africa (AMAT‐MATA). Member, National Committee of the International Council of Museums. Member, Italian Institute of Prehistory and Protohistory. Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, following excavations on Nsuta Hill, Ghana (1948). Excavations in Israel and Ghana. Publications include Report on Asebu Excavations, Ghana (1955).

Middle Palaeolihic and Middle Stone Age Settlement Systems. Nicholas J. Conard and Fred Wendorf, editors. 1996. Proceedings of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, 1996, Volume 6-Tome 1, Forli, Italia 25. 104 pp. DM (paper).

Middle Palaeolihic and Middle Stone Age Settlement Systems. Nicholas J. Conard and Fred Wendorf, editors. 1996. Proceedings of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, 1996, Volume 6-Tome 1, Forli, Italia 25. 104 pp. DM (paper). - Volume 66 Issue 1

Patterning in Death in a Late Prehistoric Village in Pennsylvania

AbstractAt the Mohr site, a Shenks Ferry Village on the lower Susquehanna River, 98 burials were excavated. These exhibited various features which are ascribed to cultural demands: location in the village, position of body, grave goods, etc. One of these features was the alignment of the body with the head to the east in such a manner as to suggest that the exact alignment was a function of season of interment. This paper completes the record of the mortuary patterns at this site based upon a description of the total population of the dead. Earlier descriptions, based upon incomplete materials, were presented at the VIIth International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences in Prague in 1966 (Gruber 1970) and at the American Anthropological Association Meeting in 1966. The position of these burials conforms to scant ethnographic data on the basis of which a putative cultural identification with the Shenks Ferry component and the southeastern Siouan groups is strengthened.

Inventaria Archaeologica Africana

It was decided during the Fifth Panafrican Congress on Prehistory and Quaternary Studies, held at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in September 1963, to follow the example of the Inventaria Archaeologica edited by the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, and to publish similar illustrated cards devoted to pre- and protohistoric closed finds and type-series from the African continent. The series is to be called Inventaria Archaeologica Africana (I. A. A.). It was thought by members of Congress that it might be possible in this way to have rapidly in condensed and standardized form, the most significant results of new excavations. As only very few specialized journals are prepared to take even preliminary excavation reports, this method was suggested as being both convenient and rapid to publish new material. On the other hand, important old material, already published in scientific periodicals, could possibly be redrawn and uniformly re-issued in the series. To implement this resolution, Congress appointed a committee consisting of Messrs. L. Balout, J.D. Clark, O. Davies, R. Inskeep, J. Nenquin and M. Posnansky. Since these persons are also members of the Standing Committee on Terminology, the necessary close collaboration between those two bodies is guaranteed. It was further decided that all matters relating to the practical side of editing the material should be centralized by one person, so as to ensure a maximum of uniformity in section drawing, general presentation of the cards, etc. The Patrimoine du Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale at Tervuren (Belgium), through its Chairman Prof. Ir L. Cahen, very kindly offered to provide the financial backing necessary for this enterprise.

The 6th International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences

Previous articleNext article No AccessThe 6th International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric SciencesLeonard W. MossLeonard W. Moss Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Current Anthropology Volume 4, Number 3Jun., 1963 Sponsored by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/200383 Views: 2Total views on this site Copyright 1963 The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological ResearchPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

VIth Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences

VIth Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences

International Congress of Pre‐ and Protohistoric Sciences Travel Grants

International Congress of Pre‐ and Protohistoric Sciences Travel Grants

International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences

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The International Organization of Anthropology

THIS survey of the international organization of the science was prepared initially as a workpaper for the Committee on International Anthropology of the Division of Anthropology and Psychology, National Research Council.1 It was later circulated at the Committee's suggestion to a number of anthropologists in the United States with interest in the international facets of the science. In turn, as a result of requests that the materials be made widely available, they are presented here. The prime object is to evoke interest and raise questions relating to the participation of American anthropologists in crossnational affairs of the science. The Committee on International Anthropology, at its initial meeting in the fall of 1957, discussed in a preliminary way the international organization of anthropology with a view to uncovering ways and means of strengthening United States participation. It was realized, however, that the members did not have the necessary background information. The Committee office subsequently corresponded with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris and with other agencies which could supply relevant data. The writer also took the opportunity to make a sabbatical trip abroad in 1957-58 in order to discuss problems of international organization with scholars in a number of countries in Europe, south Asia, and the south Pacific. Various anthropologists in and outside the Committee supplied useful information, and library materials relating to the international organization have been examined. The concern in this paper will be primarily with nongovernmental scholarly organizations, but references will be made in passing to international governmental bodies which sometimes act as their sponsors, give financial subventions, or otherwise encourage their work. It will also be understood that this is a personal statement, and not a formal report on this topic by the Committee. Undoubtedly most familiar to American anthropologists are the various international Congresses. Central here is the International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, founded in 1933, and meeting every four years. (The Sixth Congress will be held in Paris, July 31 to August 7, 1960.) This body has as parent the International Congress of Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology, founded at La Spezia in 1865. At its Basle meeting in 1932 the decision was made to divide its activities between two Congresses, one for the Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, spoken of here, the other for the Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, to be noted later. Additionally, there are a number of other Congresses which deal with topics or regions and which draw anthropologists to their meetings; in some in-

The Word “International"

IT has unfortunately become a too common habit to prefix the word ‘international’ to the title of institutions which have no claim to be so described. A recent instance is the announcement of an ‘International’ Congress of Mediterranean Prehistory and Protohistory, to be held in Florence in the spring of 1950. Its title is evidently modelled on that of the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, a fully organised international society which met in London in 1934, and at Oslo in 1938, and is now arranging its third meeting, also for 1950. But the Italian ‘Promoting Committee’ consists only of seven Italian professors, and though it is patronized by the Italian Ministry of Education and the Foreign Office, it is sponsored only by Italian institutes—at Rome, Florence and Bordighera. The circular announces that other Italian and foreign institutions will be named later on. But this is not good enough. It is time that some protest was made against the misuse of so significant a word as ‘international’ by bodies which have no claim to it.

117. International Congress of Prehistoric and Proto-Historic Sciences: Proposed Meeting at Budapest in 1949.

117. International Congress of Prehistoric and Proto-Historic Sciences: Proposed Meeting at Budapest in 1949.

International Congress of Prehistoric and Proto-Historic Sciences

International Congress of Prehistoric and Proto-Historic Sciences

International Congress of Pre- and Proto-Historic Sciences

International Congress of Pre- and Proto-Historic Sciences

European Archæology at Oxford: C. F. C. Hawkes

Mr. Christopher F. C. Hawkes the first holder of the new Char of European archaeology at Oxford, is one of the most active among the younger pre-historiats. H was a scholar of Winchester and of New Coflejge, and entered the British Museum shortly afifewEaMig his degree in the Honour School of Litere Humaniores. While still an undergraduate, he took part in the excavation of the entrenched camp on St. Catharine's Hill, and later conducted a series of excavations at Colchester (Roman Camulodunum), the results of which have been published recently. In 1932 he was a secretary of the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences in London, and published with W. TV D. Kendrick a retrospect of "Archæology in England and Wales, 1914-1931". Mr. Hawkes is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and an active member of the Royal Anthropological Institute and the Archaeological Institute. His principal publication is "The Prehistoric Foundations of Europe"(Methuen, 1940). In his excavations and other field work, Mr. Hawkes has shown himself an inspiring leader and teacher, and at Oxford he will have every encouragement to build up a strong school of prehistoric archæology.

Early Artillery Fortifications at Oslo and Trondheim

At the present time, when the thoughts and sympathy of many are with our Norwegian friends and allies, it may be of interest to recall certain other occasions on which they have had to face invasion from the sea. Moreover, the fortifications erected in Norway during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are of particular interest for comparison with those of this country during the same period, since, doubtless owing to their geographical position, both countries seem to have been influenced only gradually and spasmodically by the developing military science of the middle European peoples, the Germans and Italians.Most of the artillery fortifications existing in Norway, as described in Festninger og andre militœrbygninger, date from the late seventeenth century or later, but even very brief research at the time of the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences at Oslo in 1936 showed that some portions of earlier work still exist at various places, largely incorporated in later defences. No extensive survey of these remains can be attempted here, since the material is not readily available, but the two illustrations of Oslo (Christiania) here reproduced form an excellent introduction to the study of such defences.

Archæological Discovery in Britain, 1933–38

IN arranging an exhibition at the Institute of Archæology of the University of London to illustrate the achievement of field archæology in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the five years 1933–38, the promoters have provided a conspectus of results which is continuous with those of the two exhibitions of a similar character helcl in 1929 and 1932, the latter in conjunction with the International Congress of Pre- and Protohistoric Sciences, which met in London in that year. The inevitable comparison demonstrates the very considerable advance made by archæological studies in the interval, and its direction.

The Double Axe in Prehistoric Europe

One of Professor Myres's outstanding activities within the present decade has been in the re-founding of the old tradition of International Congresses in prehistoric archaeology and in anthropology. Prehistorians of many lands have cause to be grateful for the facilities thus afforded them for getting to know one another better, and for the interchange of facts and ideas, and never more so than when the subject has been one to which Professor Myres himself has contributed. Those subjects are notoriously many, but from the International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences held at Oslo in 1936—the second of the new series—I recall with especial vividness his contribution, following those of Professors Childe and Menghin, to the discussion on the paper read by Mr. R. W. Hutchinson on Aegean Battle-axes. And it is a great pleasure to be able to turn to my notes—such as they were—of what he said that morning, as a startingpoint for my brief tribute in this volume to the inspiration of his manysided genius.