LGA symposium
Saturday January 16, 2016, the Faculty of Archaeology opened its doors to welcome over 100 archaeology and living archaeology enthusiasts from all over the Netherlands.
The symposium started with an introduction by prof. Annelou van Gijn, professor of Archaeological Material Culture Studies (Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University). Four other researchers from the Leiden Faculty of Archaeology had been invited to speak as well. Drs. Annemieke Verbaas talked about experimental and experiental archaeology and dr. Carol van Driel-Murray, famous among living archaeology enthusiasts because of her investigations and publications of leather objects, presented information about leather objects used by Roman armies, including tents, saddles and shoes.
RMA-student Valerio Gentile presented a talk, enlivened by exciting film fragments of combat experiments, entitled ‘Reconstructing Bronze Age Combat – conciliating realism with variables control’. Dr. Roos van Oosten discussed developments in medieval cooking pots, focusing on a revolution in cooking practices and the importance of experimental archaeology in investigating and understanding these developments. In addition, two workshops were organized for all participants. Anton Reurink, textile specialist, organized a workshop about medieval cloth and dr. Roos van Oosten focused on ceramics related to the late medieval transition from beer consumption to wine consumption. A lively debate between professional archaeologists and archaeology enthusiasts concluded the sessions.
Participants reactions showed that they were enthusiastic about the contents of the presentations and the workshops, the delicious medieval lunch offered (prepared by Die Edelike Spijse) and the networking possibilities offered during the coffee breaks and at the drinks at the end of the symposium.
The symposium was sponsored by the Honours College, Leiden University, and it was organized by honours students. Are you a BA1-student, and are you also interested in participating in the achaeology honours track ‘Crossing the Borders in World Archaeology’? Please contact coordinator Maaike de Waal