The 2016 Conference

January 27-29, 2016, in Lyon, Musée des Confluences

Theme 1: Interdisciplinarity in the study of populations of the Near East and neighboring regions

Keynote address: I. HERSHKOVITZ, O. MARDER and O. BARZILAI, Human occupation of the southern Levant at the Terminal Middle Paleolithic

Over the last few decades, the simultaneous development of new field and laboratory work has led to a series of significant advances in our knowledge of the populations of the Near East and adjacent regions (Eastern Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus). This research has highlighted the need to develop collaborative projects involving biological anthropologists and specialists from other fields. All contributions related to this theme are welcome, whether they concern past or present populations.

Theme 2: Acquisition, management, and sharing of quantitative data in biological anthropology

Keynote address: H.C. PETERSEN, Acquisition, manipulation, and dissemination of biological anthropological quantitative data – An essay of introduction

Osteometry and the development of new measuring instruments are closely linked to the history of biological anthropology and the study of past populations. At a time when new quantitative data acquisition techniques are multiplying in biological anthropology, both in the field and in the laboratory, two observations can be made. On the one hand, we have limited knowledge of the precision of instruments and the reproducibility of methods; on the other hand, despite being generated in large numbers, quantitative data are rarely shared. The objective of this theme is to discuss these various aspects, focusing particularly on osteometric data, but also on other types of quantitative data (e.g., number of elements, weight). New acquisition techniques (e.g., photogrammetry, CT scanning) and their benefits will also be discussed, without focusing on technical details. The various points addressed will be as follows: – Data acquisition methods: directly (on the objects of study) / indirectly (e.g., from virtual models), both in the field and in the laboratory; – Precision and reproducibility of measurements; – Acquisition of osteometric data in the context of preventive archaeology and its contribution to fundamental research; – Databases and dissemination of raw data (osteotheques, museums, etc.); – Influence of repeated measurements on the taphonomy of human remains.

This theme will take the form of a symposium. Following an invited talk, it will be structured around poster presentations only, which will involve a very short oral presentation and an extensive discussion period “at the posters.” Finally, a long discussion period will allow for the exchange of experiences between participants (members of different institutions) with the aim of formulating concrete proposals regarding data sharing.

Theme 3: Current Research

This theme will bring together recent findings in the discipline, whether they are new discoveries or methodological advances.