Session: #372

Content:

This session explores the current state of studies of chronology in European prehistory. The typo-chronologies of the past with their culturally specific terminology are being challenged through a variety of scientific approaches. Here we offer the opportunity for researchers to present and compare the results of their own chronological research both locally and internationally focussed. Papers are invited that assess the impact of scientific dating methods on our understanding of the chronology of a period or region, artefact, structure or site type. Studies may be focussed on types of structures such as roundhouses or site forms such as hillforts; they may examine the dating of technologies or types of objects or revisit chronological frameworks; they may explore the chronology of a specific region and how this compares or contrasts with broader national or international frameworks. Presentations should be as much about questioning the status quo as about sharing new data or analytical results. Can we build a revised chronology across Europe tied to calendar date ranges rather than interpretive typological categories? If so, what does this revised chronology look like? Can we set aside the site type terminology which is built on exceptional rather than typical sites e.g. Hallstatt and La Tène? May we even discard the material biased three age system: Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages? If we avoid these traditional structures do we free ourselves to have a more effective conversation across Europe for change, interaction and communication networks? Or do we risk losing touch with the connecting factors? Does a calendar based chronology allow us to see networks more clearly or identify networks that were previously obscured by the confines of typo-chronologies? We cannot avoid typology when constructing chronologies from the incomplete archaeological record, so how do we resolve the need for typology to construct chronology?

Session: #372

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