Sheffield Archaeomaterials

TAG 2021 is this Friday, and we're hosting a rather existential discussion in the afternoon (14:00 - 17:30 GMT)...

"Archaeology: Why Are We Doing This"

Info and registration here:

https://2021tagconference.wordpress.com/2021/09/30/session-1-archaeology-why-are-we-doing-this/

Great speakers and pertinent ideas included!

Archaeology at the University of Sheffield

Session 1 – Archaeology: why are we doing this Timetable: Friday afternoon 1400-1730 – Joan Gero Zoom Room Format: Short papers Organisers: Nicholas Clarke, Nicholas Groat, Matthew Lester, Louis Olivier Lortie, Lenore Thompson Contac…

Colleagues in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield have today (13th July 2021) been informed that the University of Sheffield Council has decided to endorse the proposal of the University Executive Board to close our Department. This means the unequivocal end of Archaeology in the University of Sheffield.

We received this information in a presentation by the Vice Chancellor, which lasted 13 minutes. There was no ability to engage or respond as our microphones and cameras were kept off the entire time. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the decision taken by the university as well as the rudeness and lack of professionalism of the form of communication chosen by the VC. This is a decision that harms both the University and the City of Sheffield, within which our Department is strongly embedded. Our campaign to oppose this calamitous decision will continue.

NEW PUBLICATIONS!

A series of new publications this week and last from members of our group, including the proceedings from 2020's 2nd EAStS conference. Congratulations all! :

Blowin’ in the Wind: The Beginning of Primary Metallurgy in the Early Bronze Age Aegean
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/arcm.12689

Experimental Archaeology, Today: Critical Reflections on Some Key and Emerging Themes
https://assemblagejournal.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/ppi-viii-groat_lester-introduction-ready.pdf

Experimental Iron Smelting in a Bowl Furnace
https://assemblagejournal.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/pp01-13-marks-_-su-experimental-iron-smelting-in-a-bowl-furnace-ready.pdf

Assessing the Recipe Traditions of Bronze Age Mould Production in China
https://assemblagejournal.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/pp38-57-tang_marks-assessing-the-recipe-traditions-of-bronze-age-mould-production-in-china-ready.pdf

Blowin’ in the wind: The beginning of primary metallurgy in the Early Bronze Age Aegean Our understanding of Early Bronze Age copper smelting in the Southern Aegean has improved dramatically in the last two decades through a combination of fieldwork, laboratory analyses and experimental...

Excellent forum yesterday with EXARC and members from Archaeology at the University of Sheffield marking our new membership - we look forward to seeing what the future holds and working with members of the network!

As you may have heard last week, we're delighted to announce that Sheffield Archaeomaterials is joining EXARC!

To mark the occasion, join us this Wednesday (30th June) 10:00 - 12:00 BST to hear about experimental archaeology at Sheffield, more on the work of EXARC, and an informal discussion on the future of experimental archaeology.

If you are interested and to see the full program, please respond via this form: https://forms.gle/aeBUoXe8ctNwW3VM8

The University of Sheffield has an exlusionary and dangerous ethos at the centre of it's organisation.

Our Department has been stifled for years now from allowing fantastic candidates to flourish within our institution simply because Senior Managment has adopted an idea of 'excellence' that is skewed, prejudiced, and elitist.

On the surface, Sheffield is happy to have students join via important programs - such as Realizing Opportunities - because it’s good promo. Instead, they they block similar students from attending the university through limiting A-Level pathways and view those students as detrimental to the "brand".

Our community and alumni come from all different backgrounds, come into the Department through a myriad of different ways, and have gone on to do amazing things.

Sheffield Senior Managment is the reason why they've deemed us 'unsustainable' but have failed to address the issues within their ranks and conduct.

Despite everything going on, we're still keeping on with our research activities!

Tonight Yvette A Marks will be speaking to Franz Pieler from MAMUZ about bronze casting and early metallurgy in the Eastern Mediterranean, in line with our contribution to the recent MAMUZ and EXARC touring exhibit.

Details here, talk starts at 5pm UK time:

http://www.mamuz.at/de/veranstaltungen/online-gespraech-keramik-und-bronzeguss?fbclid=IwAR2XkMjkVmuSwnRd7CfaZzA9SFcjwIm3Ra5gtqFe9opla3TFoqvjIg2uw70

Online-Gespräch: Ceramics and smelting (Englisch)