2012 is an anniversary year for the city of Thessaloniki and for northern Greece, as a century ago it was incorporated in the Greek state. Through this century archaeological research has undergone various phases, has adapted to the varying historical conditions, by either keeping a critical position or serving them. Through this century much have been accomplished through the work of numerous Greek and foreign archaeologists, the Archaeological Service, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Greek and foreign Archaeological Institutions, but even more remain to be done and could shape the research goals of the upcoming decades. It is therefore a chance for an up-to-date review of what prehistoric research has succeeded, for a critical approach to its theoretical and methodological orientations and for setting off future perspectives.
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, regarding of most importance the overall and effective presentation of the research results, as well as the initiation of a dialogue that is not confined among scientists but is related to the social implications of archaeology, is organizing the Conference for the Century of Research in Prehistoric Macedonia, in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The chronological framework includes all periods from the Paleolithic to the end of the Late Bronze Age and the transition to Iron Age. The thematic sessions regarding the contributions are the following:
1. The history of prehistoric research in Macedonia: historical and critical approaches – theoretical and methodological issues – the excavations and the persons of research
2. Chronology: stratigraphic sequences – excavation assemblages – absolute dating
3. The environment of Macedonia and prehistoric people: paleoenvironment – diet – zooarchaeology – archaeobotany – physical anthropology – archaeometry
4. The creation of space: architecture – settlements and cemeteries – space and its notions
5. From objects to ideas: technologies and artefacts – interpretative approaches – understanding the prehistoric societies of Macedonia through the archaeological research
6. From archaeological research to society: museological and educational issues – public archaeology – prehistoric research and public works
7. Archaeology and crisis: after one century, what? Future perspectives of prehistoric archaeological research in the uncertain and changing environment of our times.
The conference will be held in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
