Smuggling in the Caribbean to Yorkshire Farmyard Graffiti
Posted on 4 January 2005
Archaeologists from across the world are gathering in York today to discuss subjects ranging from smuggling in the Caribbean to the raising and conservation of the Mary Rose and late 19th-century graffiti in Yorkshire Wolds farmyards.
Nearly 1,000 delegates are attending the annual conference of the Society for Historical Archaeology, hosted by the University of York's Department of Archaeology at King's Manor and sponsored by English Heritage.
It is the first time in the US-based Society's 37-year history that it has held its huge annual conference outside North America. Dr Harold Mytum, of the University of York's Department of Archaeology, was instrumental in attracting the event to the city.
The Society...chose York because of the city's reputation generally and that of the University and its Department of Archaeology
Dr Harold Mytum
"The Society was looking for a venue which would enhance its international profile and they chose York because of the city's reputation generally and that of the University and its Department of Archaeology," he said.
"It is a conference with a true international flavour featuring research from all over the world and with delegates from across the globe."
The head of the University's Department of Archaeology, Jane Grenville, added: "The fact that SHA chose York is a major coup both for the University and the city."
A particular feature of the conference, which continues until 10 January, will be a series of presentations and seminars on various aspects of underwater archaeology with particular emphasis on the latest discoveries about Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose.
The programme for the six-day conference runs to 67 pages and among the scores of papers to be presented during the event, there will be studies of Cowboy and Indian Identities in Post-Colonial California, Historic Stone Carving in New Zealand, the Landscape of Hawaii's Sugar Plantation Cemeteries and, intriguingly, one titled English Heritage, Miss Marple and the Case of the Missing Heritage Agenda.
Notes to editors:
- The Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA) is the largest scholarly group concerned with the archaeology of the modern world (A.D. 1400-present). SHA promotes scholarly research and the dissemination of knowledge concerning historical archaeology. The society is specifically concerned with the identification, excavation, interpretation, and conservation of sites and materials on land and underwater. Geographically the society emphasises the New World, but also includes European exploration and settlement in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
- More information on the conference is available on www.sha.org/About/Conferences/mt2005.htm
- Journalists wishing to attend to talk to speakers and delegates should contact Harold Mytum on 01904 433901 or 0785 473 5227.