This session seeks to engage scholars, researchers, and practitioners in an interdisciplinary discourse that highlights the pivotal role of ethnoarchaeological methodologies in elucidating prehistoric human behavior, material culture, and social structures across Asia. In light of the complex interplay between archaeological data and contemporary ethnographic parallels, Ethno-prehistory in Southeast Asia offers a unique vantage point to reinterpret and recontextualize the material evidence of past societies. Ethnoarchaeology as a sub-discipline stands at the nexus of archaeology and anthropology, drawing upon the lived experiences of indigenous and local communities to form analogies that enrich our understanding of ancient lifeways. By examining the behavioral patterns of living cultures, ethnoarchaeologists contribute to reconstructing the socio-economic, ritualistic, and environmental practices of prehistoric groups.
This call for papers invites a wide range of theoretical and applied studies that utilize ethnoarchaeological approaches to address key research questions in prehistoric archaeology. It seeks to foster dialogue on how the systematic observation of contemporary practices— whether in tool-making, subsistence strategies, settlement systems, or symbolic rituals—can inform our interpretations of archaeological contexts. This session will also emphasize the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in archaeological research and their potential to enhance both the preservation and interpretation of prehistoric heritage sites. As Asia is home to some of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites, from early hominin remains to complex Neolithic settlements, the role of ethnoarchaeology in bridging temporal and cultural gaps is more pertinent than ever. This symposium offers a platform for scholars to present cutting-edge research that not only contributes to our understanding of prehistoric societies in Asia but also demonstrates the relevance of these findings in addressing broader anthropological and heritage management questions in the modern world.
Thematic Focus
Ethno-prehistory in Southeast Asia session encourages papers that explore a wide array of topics, including, but not limited to:
- Tool Use and Craftsmanship: Comparative studies on lithic technologies, pottery, and other craft traditions, assessing the transmission of knowledge and the role of craftsmanship in prehistoric societies.
- Subsistence Strategies: The continuity and change in hunting, gathering, and agricultural practices, with a focus on how ethnographic analogies can inform models of prehistoric subsistence systems.
- Settlement Patterns and Social Organization: Insights into the organization of space, social hierarchies, and community interactions through comparative ethnographic and archaeological studies.
- Ritual and Symbolism: Exploration of how ritualistic behavior, symbolic practices, and religious structures in contemporary societies may parallel the symbolic artifacts and site layouts found in prehistoric contexts.
- Human-Environment Interactions: Ethnoarchaeological approaches to understanding the environmental adaptations of prehistoric populations, particularly in relation to climate change, resource management, and biodiversity.
- Ethnoarchaeology and Heritage Conservation: How the practices and beliefs of modern communities living near prehistoric sites can contribute to sustainable heritage management and conservation efforts.
- Technological Innovation: Ethnoarchaeological perspectives on the development and diffusion of prehistoric technologies, from stone tools to early metallurgy, and the implications of these innovations on social and economic development.
By engaging in these topics, this session aims to underscore the dynamic relationship between past and present human societies and to explore how ethnoarchaeological methodologies can deepen our understanding of Asia’s rich prehistoric legacy. Furthermore, the session will explore the role of collaborative research between archaeologists and indigenous communities in co-producing knowledge that honors the cultural heritage of both ancient and contemporary societies.
For inquiries and submissions, please contact:
James J. Fox, The Austalian National University, james.fox@anu.edu.au
Retno Handini, National Research and Innovation Agency/BRIN, Indonesia, retnohandinindandin@gmail.com
Mochammad Arief Wicaksono, Universitas Indonesia, contact person ariefwicaksono.m@gmail.com