Jessica ROTHE1 | Claudia Maria MELISCH2 | Natasha POWERS (1Charité Berlin, Germany | 2Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany) Keywords: Forensic Genetics, Medieval cemetery, excavation Abstract: The department of Forensic Genetics at Charité Berlin investigated a triple burial that was found during recent excavations at St. Peters square in Berlin and dates back to the 12 th century and therefore to the beginning of the settlement Cologne/Cölln, Berlins medieval sister city. This triple grave was particular striking because of the unusual orientation of the skeletons and the high number of sharp force injuries that the buried individuals had to suffer prior to their death. Analysis from different disciplines, as well as the here in detail demonstrated DNA-analysis revealed the social function and of three individuals were that of mercenary soldiers, a part of the medieval societies which so far has been relatively poorly studied. Germany’s capital Berlin originated from the medieval twin cities Berlin and Cologne and was founded during the last quarter of the 12th century. In the center of the early Cölln stood the Saint Peter‘s Church with its graveyard, which is believed to serve as the burial site for the first settlers of Cölln. Relatively few is known about the first settlers of Cölln – Who where this first settlers? – Where they came from? – What were their life conditions and their social constructions? Modern genetic research can help to find out much more about the early...
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The teaching of restoration in the Archaeological University Courses: the innovation of the practical ceramic conservation laboratory inside the Graduate School in Archaeology – UNIFI
Giulia DIONISIO | Daniela PUZIO (University of Florence, Florence, Italy) Keywords: restoration, ceramic, university, practical laboratory Abstract: In theoretical Archaeological University courses it is often impossible to act directly on artifacts owing to the lack of products and working spaces and the poor availability of suitable materials. However, the archaeologist’s work is mainly carried out in the field and in most cases requires direct conservative procedures on archaeological ceramics to allow their study and documentation. As such, the lack of practical restoration laboratories within the university curricula represents a serious gap in the training of future professional archaeologists. In 2016 a practical laboratory of ceramic conservation was established for the first time inside the Graduate School of Archaeology of the University of Florence. The goal was to give students the opportunity to put into practice the theoretical conservation lessons learned in the classroom. Trainees were put to work directly both on the archaeological and modern ceramic materials, so as to learn which materials to use and how to make all relevant operations to the cultural heritage conservation (cleaning, sticking and integration of missing parts). All the operations carried out during the course followed the same procedures currently required on archaeological ceramics by the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany. All the steps taken in the laboratory are similar to those implemented on a Mycenaean stirrup jar reported in the poster as an...
Read MoreThe use of weblogs to impart scientific results at the example of the Hallstatt research
Fiona POPPENWIMMER | Hans RESCHREITER (Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria) Keywords: Hallstatt, Weblog, Social Media Abstract: In 2013 the archaeological research of Hallstatt, pursued by the Natural History Museum of Vienna found an own weblog. Since then, the weblog developed to be the main tool for public relations of the Hallstatt research. Over the years we became aware of more and more important data, which can help us to understand our target groups and to observe their behaviour in reading. Since the very beginning it was a main goal of the Hallstatt weblog, to reach the people of the Salzkammergut region as well as the cooperation partners and professional colleagues. Groups, whose interests are not always easy to unite. The medium weblog is – especially in the field of humanities – still often very underestimated. Its content and language is mostly in the middle of scientific articles in print media and short-dated news on Facebook, so the definition of its target group and the adaption of content, language and public relation to this target group is essential. This is possible with the data we get from the used Blogger Tool. One of the benefits of a weblog is the personal connection between authors and readers, which mainly is reached with a personal writing style. In contrast to classic print media, you can watch the feedback of your readers very directly. Significant is also the interaction of Weblogs and social media. The main part of the hits are linked with Facebook, which is why it was the focus in promoting the weblog. Attention should be payed to the fact, that the promotion took place just on private accounts (like the ones of the editor and the authors). With an own account for the Hallstatt research the success would probably increase. The experience of the last years gave us a good foundation for further development in the fields of online communication and social media data. How can we increase the hits of our weblogs? How can we connect different science weblogs more and support each other? How can we improve the reputation of weblogs in science and reach more influencers?...
Read MoreExperimental archeology in social media – the example of Archeomuse
Elisabeth MONAMY (Archeomuse, Vienna, Austria) Keywords: database, statistics, social medias, experimental archaeology Abstract: Archeomuse started 2015 to promote experimental archaeology in Austria and mainly in Vienna through antique cooking workshops. The use of social media has been of a great importance endorsing the information that these courses exist. After one year it is very interesting to have a look at the audience of the postings. Who is the audience, who are the followers and the users? Does it match with Archeomuses expectation or offline target group? Is it another audience than the one targeted by posters, flyers, newsletters? What are the postings about? Does the audience vary depending on the data presented: articles about new scientific research or new evidences from excavations or advertising an upcoming event, antique cooking workshop or conference? Apart from the audience, how and when do users react? Do they “like” a posting or a picture, or do they react and write something? In these few minutes during the round table it will be exciting to present statistics about how many or which postings are seen and / or read by the audience and how many people really book an antique cooking workshop or attend any kind of events offered by Archeomuse. Finally, these statistics will show if the social media are reaching potential clients or just awaken interest for (experimental) archaeology. Relevance conference | Relevance session: How experimental archaeology pleases in social media and how potential interest is awakened. Innovation: A survey of the offer of experimental archeology workshops in a non-scientific field for a wide audience in social media in Austria. References: https://www.facebook.com/archeomuse/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel exampel of an article about an ancient beer recipe and the reaction on facebook https://www.instagram.com/archeomuse/ pictures from events hosted by Archeomuse and the number of...
Read MoreA new historical basemap for archaeological research for medieval Netherlands
Menne KOSIAN | Rowin VAN LANEN (Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Amersfoort, The Netherlands) Keywords: landscape, GIS, history, archaeology, public awareness Abstract: Historical and archaeological research and education is often hampered by lack of imaginative maps of the contemporary landscape. Most scientific maps are mainly technical studies into geology and geomorphology, which, by default, are both very precise as well as very specialist-oriented. For non-specialists and the general public these maps are often not suitable. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands tries to offer both adequate scientific information as well as information for a wider audience through our several CH portals. For one of these portals a new map is developed that reconstructs the cultural and physical landscape of the Netherlands in 1575, the formation of the modern Dutch state after the uprising against the Spanish reign. This reconstruction is aimed at a user group of both scientists and interested public. In order to achieve this goal the map is constructed uasing an almost inverse method for landscape mapping. Starting point were the city plans by Jacob van Deventer (second half of the 16th century). These were georeferenced and digitized by using the modern street GIS systems. Next, the city plans were linked to each other using modern research into regional and long-distance route networks in the Netherlands. These routes were based on landscape features as well as historical maps. This way both the methodology of the route networks research could be verified as well as the georeferencing method of the Van Deventer maps. This new, corrected, ‘skeleton’ of medieval Dutch topography was confronted with recent research into the palaeogeography of the Netherlands. From a very detailed level, the general picture of the Netherlands in 1575 could be drawn, and refined where necessary. This produced a map that not only has a strong scientific base, but also gives the opportunity to be read and understood by the general public, zooming in on their home town. With this new map the Cultural Heritage Agency tries to reach not only scientists, but also create awareness of the heritage and history in the surrounding landscape with both the general public...
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