SAS Bulletin Newsletter of the Society for Archaeological Sciences Volume 32 number 1 Spring 2009 Heritage Matters The question is addressed in this issue of the Bulletin by SAS President-elect Sandra López Varela and colleague While often thought by many as being “old” and “ancient” Christopher Dore, who consider the impending impact of and therefore only of interest to those heading to the museum Mexico’s recent infrastructure development initiatives that may for a weekend family outing, the archaeological record is, as endanger, damage, destroy, and all together wipe out countless readers of the SAS Bulletin know well, a heck of a lot more tangible expressions of Mexico’s cultural heritage in the coming than infotainment. Who among us doesn’t recall the tragic years. destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan just a few short years ago, or the pillaging of the Iraqi National Museum? Heritage López Varela and Dore argue that we can make a matters (as it always has). difference by using technologies at hand to help predict the places most sensitive to development efforts. In their Countless other assaults on cultural heritage from around contribution to this issue of the Bulletin, they explore the use the globe have since emerged, although their stories haven’t of geographic information systems applied as a planning tool quite grabbed international headlines. This is because most for development projects—one that promises to help developers destruction of cultural heritage today takes place in pace with sidestep archaeological sites and resources. Other approaches development—erecting new buildings, laying new highways, come to mind as well, such as those aimed at collecting and and so on. While the “adverse impacts” of such work are evaluating remotely sensed data or those concerned with using sometimes “mitigated,” in many instances they are not. physicochemical data to establish provenance. Over the past few years a growing number of Like the Mexico case, the United States and other countries interdisciplinary books and manuals have emerged showing how about to embark on bold development plans in the near future researchers from diverse backgrounds—in geography, need to be aware of the value and sensitivity of cultural heritage. engineering, and computer science—have stepped forward to And, with our skills of being able to detect and protect help. But what contributions can archaeometrists and archaeological resources, who better to ring the warning bell “archaeological scientists” make? and come to the rescue than the members of the Society for Archaeological Sciences? E. Christian Wells, Editor In This Issue Employment Opportunities 2 Awards, Fellowships, and Training 3 Conference News and Announcements 5 SAS Business 9 Mexico’s Heritage (S. L. López Varela & C. D. Dore) 10 Archaeometallurgy (T. R. Fenn) 13 Archaeological Ceramics (C. C. Kolb) 21 Book Reviews (D. L. Huntley) Friend or foe? While the bulldozer can be symbolic of Encyclopedia of Archaeology (A. V. Margaris) 28 Dictionary of Artifacts (M. McBrinn) 30 construction (and sometimes destruction of cultural Upcoming Conferences (R. S. Popelka-Filcoff) 31 heritage), it is sometimes used by archaeologists to investigate archaeological sites rapidly. page 2 SAS Bulletin 32(1) Employment Opportunities per year (semester system), including one in the core curriculum. The terms of employment are competitive compared to U.S. Paleo Research Institute in Golden, Colorado is benchmarks and include housing and educational subsidies for seeking a Macrofloral Analyst to join our existing staff. The children. Faculty may spend time at NYU in New York and at successful candidate will have experience in sorting macrofloral its other global campuses. The appointment may begin as soon samples and identifying botanical remains. This person will as September 1, 2009 but could be delayed until September 1, become integral to our staff, working both with Kathy Puseman 2010. New York University Abu Dhabi will be a new campus on macrofloral remains and also participating in multi- and inter- of New York University, consisting of a highly selective liberal disciplinary studies with other staff. PRI is a small business, arts college, distinctive graduate programs, and a world-class with a small business atmosphere. Please see our website Institute for advanced research, scholarship, and creative work. (www.paleoresearch.com) for more detailed information. The NYU Abu Dhabi will recruit faculty of exceptional quality in position starts when we find a good match for our needs and teaching and in professional accomplishment. It will seek with our existing staff. students of demonstrated excellence and remarkable potential from across the globe. It will offer undergraduate and graduate The History Department of East Carolina University degrees, and extraordinary opportunities for research and for invites applications from experienced Archaeological creative work across the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Conservators for a new renewable fixed-term position to Sciences, and Engineering. Situated at a new crossroads of begin on August 17, 2009 in its Program in Maritime Studies, a the world, it will have the resources and commitment to become distinguished graduate program offering the MA in nautical a leading center of intellectual pursuit, collaboration, and impact. archaeology and maritime history. Completed M.A. is required, Moreover, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi will be and candidates must be certified to dive, at the time of integrally connected, together forming the foundation of a unique application. The holder of the position will be responsible for global network university, actively linked as well to NYU’s laboratory and field conservation (50%), teaching (40%), and study and research sites on five continents. NYU Abu Dhabi’s field project planning and service (10%). Specific duties will first class of students will arrive in fall 2010; its research and include teaching courses in conservation techniques and field public programs have commenced this fall. The review of methodologies, grant and report writing, use of remote sensing applications will begin on February 15, 2009 and will continue apparatus (magnetometer, side scan, ROV, and supporting until the positions are filled. Send vita, statement of research software including Hypack and ArcView), and conservation and teaching interests, representative publications and three laboratory management. Applicants must complete a candidate letters of reference via email to [email protected], profile and submit a curriculum vitae and letter of application or send a hard copy to: NYUAD Ancient World Search online at http://www.jobs.ecu.edu. In addition, applicants should Committee, New York University, 70 Washington Square South, arrange for original graduate transcripts and three current Rm. 1242, New York, NY 10012. Information concerning the letters of recommendation to be sent to: Dr. Lawrence Babits, faculty, programs, facilities and benefits of NYU Abu Dhabi, Chair, Search Committee, Department of History, East Carolina can be obtained at: http://nyuad.nyu.edu. University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353. Screening will begin January 2, 2009 and continue until the position is The University of Memphis, invites applications for filled. ECU is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the University that accommodates individuals with disabilities. Department of Earth Sciences (DES) beginning in Fall 2009. Individuals requesting a disability accommodation should call PhD is preferred, but ABD candidates will be considered for the ECU Office of Disability Support Services at 252-737- this position. Review of applications will begin December 1, 1016 (Voice/TTY/Relay). Proper documentation of identity and 2008, and may continue until the position is filled. The ideal employability are required at time of employment. candidate will have the ability and interest to teach and conduct research in some of the following areas: human land use- New York University is establishing a campus in Abu response to environmental or climate-change, paleoclimatology, Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and invites applications paleoecology, geomorphology, microstratigraphy, or soils. The for one or more faculty positions at any level (assistant, successful candidate will join a growing, vibrant faculty who associate or full professor) to anchor the multidisciplinary are engaged in national and international interdisciplinary concentration in the Ancient World. This program will cover research, and will share in the future development of late the geographical span from the Eastern Mediterranean to East Quaternary to historic research in geoarchaeology, active Asia and a time period from late prehistory to the coming of tectonics, and landform/land use evolution. Candidates should Islam. We encourage applicants with broad training in Old have a strong commitment to field research as well as to World archaeology, and have a particular interest in applicants teaching and mentoring at the BS, MS and PhD levels. Visit with expertise in Iran, the Arabian Gulf, Central Asia, South our website at http://cas.memphis.edu/DES. Apply electronically Asia, and East Asia. Preferred candidates will have an active by visiting https://workforum.memphis.edu. Please note that agenda of research, publication, and undergraduate teaching, only electronic submissions will be accepted. If you have as well as an interest