About Frozen Pasts
‘Frozen Pasts’-the 2nd International Glacial Archaeology Symposium will be held in Trondheim, Norway from 5th to 7th October 2010. The Symposium is organized by the Department of Archaeology and Religious Studies at NTNU.
Glacial Archaeology is concerned with the global phenomenon of prehistoric and historical remains that emerge from a variety of frozen contexts. These vary from glaciers and snow patches as to other alpine and permafrost contexts. In its modern form, Glacial Archaeology is inherently multidisciplinary in nature and has intimate ties to a broad range of sciences such as climatology, glaciology and conservation science. The finds that emerge from these contexts are often of excellent quality and are of considerable archaeological, historical and ethnographical interest, as are the past activities that lie behind there deposition. The key aim of ‘Frozen Pasts’ is to gather together researchers, managers and others from these interrelated contexts and disciplines in a forum where results, observations and problems from different regions can be shared and discussed.
The 1st international meeting of researchers working in the field of Glacial Archaeology took place in Bern, Switzerland in August 2008. This meeting was primarily focused on the complex of finds made at the alpine site of Lenk- Schnidejoch, Switzerland but also gathered a number of researchers from other comparable sites and complexes in Europe, Canada and the United States. Following on from the success of this meeting, it became clear that there was a need for a regular series of symposia dedicated to this field. The choice of Trondheim as the venue for the 2nd glacial archaeology symposium stems from the large collection of archaeological snow-patch materials that have been coming into the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology in Trondheim for many years, as well as the long-standing tradition of local research in this field. Most of the archaeological finds from snow patches in the region are linked to wild reindeer hunting. This explains the choice of the reindeer as the symbol of the ‘Frozen Pasts’ symposium.
‘Frozen Pasts’ will include a key-notes lecture and wine reception, two full days for the presentation of papers and posters and an excursion to the mountain town of Oppdal and its surroundings. There will also be a small exhibition of finds from the large snow-patch collection housed at the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Trondheim as well as an optional extra excursion to a series of snow patches in the mountains surrounding Oppdal.
This webpage will be the main channel for communication between the organisers and participants. All information relevant to the symposium will be posted here as it becomes available. New information will also be sent by email to those appearing on the symposium mailing list. Should you wish to be included on this list please contact the organisers.
Glacial Archaeology is concerned with the global phenomenon of prehistoric and historical remains that emerge from a variety of frozen contexts. These vary from glaciers and snow patches as to other alpine and permafrost contexts. In its modern form, Glacial Archaeology is inherently multidisciplinary in nature and has intimate ties to a broad range of sciences such as climatology, glaciology and conservation science. The finds that emerge from these contexts are often of excellent quality and are of considerable archaeological, historical and ethnographical interest, as are the past activities that lie behind there deposition. The key aim of ‘Frozen Pasts’ is to gather together researchers, managers and others from these interrelated contexts and disciplines in a forum where results, observations and problems from different regions can be shared and discussed.
The 1st international meeting of researchers working in the field of Glacial Archaeology took place in Bern, Switzerland in August 2008. This meeting was primarily focused on the complex of finds made at the alpine site of Lenk- Schnidejoch, Switzerland but also gathered a number of researchers from other comparable sites and complexes in Europe, Canada and the United States. Following on from the success of this meeting, it became clear that there was a need for a regular series of symposia dedicated to this field. The choice of Trondheim as the venue for the 2nd glacial archaeology symposium stems from the large collection of archaeological snow-patch materials that have been coming into the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology in Trondheim for many years, as well as the long-standing tradition of local research in this field. Most of the archaeological finds from snow patches in the region are linked to wild reindeer hunting. This explains the choice of the reindeer as the symbol of the ‘Frozen Pasts’ symposium.
‘Frozen Pasts’ will include a key-notes lecture and wine reception, two full days for the presentation of papers and posters and an excursion to the mountain town of Oppdal and its surroundings. There will also be a small exhibition of finds from the large snow-patch collection housed at the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Trondheim as well as an optional extra excursion to a series of snow patches in the mountains surrounding Oppdal.
This webpage will be the main channel for communication between the organisers and participants. All information relevant to the symposium will be posted here as it becomes available. New information will also be sent by email to those appearing on the symposium mailing list. Should you wish to be included on this list please contact the organisers.
