Session: #241

Theme & Session Format

Theme:
1. Artefacts, Buildings & Ecofacts
Session format:
Regular session

Title & Content

Title:
Trading Genes For Customs: Reconstructing Cross-Cultural Connections Using Biomolecular Approaches
Content:
Despite methodological advancements being made in the area of biomolecular archaeology, some areas remain more thoroughly researched than others. Human migration, the fossil record, and animal domestication for instance attract large-scale research while studies regarding the relationships between culture and genes lag.
This session explores the integration of genome science into potential social structures of trade regions, and in doing so sets out to expand archaeological frameworks for interpreting genetic data.
What can ancient DNA tell us about cross-cultural connectivity and exchanges? How can plant and animal DNA inform us about the lifestyle and diet of the trade cities and ports? What can we learn from palaeomicrobiology about plagues spreading along trade routes and pathogen-population relationships? Can an application of genetics to historical evidence shed light on the dissemination of religions and religion-influenced behaviour, such as interfaith marriages, or gender mobility? What are the new genetic methods in biosocial archaeology? What are the approaches for standardisation of digital data usage and data sharing?
We are interested in wide-ranging contributions including field reports, case studies, and interdisciplinary research that interpret Afro-Eurasian gene culture circa 130 BC to 1450 AD. We encourage submissions from early-career scholars and researchers from the fields of genetics, bioinformatics, bioarchaeology, and anthropology.
Keywords:
Biomolecular Archaeology, Social Structures, Trade, Cultural Exchanges
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:

Organisers

Main organiser:
Branka Franicevic (United Kingdom) 1
Co-organisers:
Marie Nicole Pareja Cummings (United States) 2
Affiliations:
1. University of Bradford
2. University of Pennsylvania