Archaeology News and Announcements

from Brown University's Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World

Tag: African American archaeologists (Page 1 of 2)

Updates from the Society of Black Archaeologists

 

The Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA) has released their February Newsletter! Featured information includes upcoming publications, conferences, and call for papers.

Publications

  • Dossiê Arqueologias Negras: nossas lutas, nossas histórias – Primeira parteNegrArqueo has recently published a special issue on Black Archaeology in the journal Revista de Arqueologia v. 37 n. 1 (2024).

Upcoming Events

  • The Northwest Anthropological Conference: Portland, Oregon | March 6-9, 2024 – The 2024 theme is “Building Bridges”: Consultation and Community Engagement, Registration is now open. This conference will also host a Tribal Caucus, the Portland Indigenous Marketplace with other vendors/organizations, a silent auction to support local nonprofits (The Chúush Fund: Water for Warm Springs, and All Tribes Mental Health Services, Inc.), and much more! Tribal member admission is free and there is a stipend application for tribal members to cover costs of attendance through the Association of Oregon Archaeologists (AOA). See the nwaconference.com website for more details
  • Anthropology and the Black Experience Conference | May 15-18, 2024 – The Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA), Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA), and the Black in BioAnth (BiBA) Collective are pleased to host The Anthropology and the Black Experience Conference, May 15-18, 2023 at University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal. The 21st century has witnessed significant shifts in the anthropological landscape, with diverse voices and perspectives emerging to challenge traditional narratives. This conference seeks to explore the unique contributions and experiences of Black scholars in anthropology, emphasizing the rich tapestry of knowledge, methodologies, and insights they bring to the discipline. They invite scholars, researchers, and students from all sub-disciplines and related fields to reflect on the historiography of anthropology in Africa and the African diaspora, the role and contributions of people of African descent in the field, and the latest research being done by and in communities of African descent.

Opportunities 

  • Herskovits Library of African Studies Research Grant | Northwestern University – The Northwestern University Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies is one of the largest separate African studies libraries in existence. Applications are open for the 2024-2025 Northwestern Libraries Travel Grants. This travel grant was established in 2021 to facilitate and support research projects that significantly benefit from substantial onsite use of the unique, special and archival collections of the Herskovits Library. The grant is available to researchers whose projects explore new lines of inquiry, interdisciplinary and multi-layered research and contribute to the deeper understanding of the diverse peoples and countries of the African continent. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
  • Call for Papers – Archaeologies of Crisis and Constraint: African Tales from the Field | Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites – Contributors are asked to discuss the ways in which catastrophic or unexpected events influence the practice of heritage research, fieldwork, and management in Africa. In the issue, authors will detail how these occurrences (that we sometimes might not disclose) force us to adopt new innovative strategies that drive our work in new and exciting ways that would otherwise have not taken place. Email an abstract of no more than 300 words by April 1 2024 to Rachel Ama Asaa Engmann [raaengmann@theafricainstitute.org]
  • SBA Conference Travel Award – The award offers support for non-US SBA members traveling to present research at scholarly conferences. SBA will provide a total award of up to $1000 USD. Award funding is intended for conference and travel-related expenses, including conference registration, travel (e.g., airfare, vehicle rentals), and room/board. Questions about the award can be sent to treasurer@societyofblackarchaeologists.com

For more information on the SBA, as well as how to support their staff and scholars, please visit their website here.

Society of Black Archaeologists: January Updates

The Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA) wishes you a happy new year! This January, the SBA highlights some of their members’ achievements, as well as announces their new SBA elected officials.

2024 Elected Officials

President-elect: Alicia Odewale

Secretary: Jordan Davis

Treasurer: Craig Stevens

Student Representative: Rebecca Davis

 

Milestones & Achievements 

  • Congratulations to the Back-to-Africa Heritage and Archaeology Project (BAHA) for receiving the Society for Historical Archaeology Mark E. Mack Community Engagement Awards for January 2024! The award honors research project teams who exhibit outstanding best practices in community collaboration, engagement, and outreach in their historical archaeology and heritage preservation work. The BAHA team is being acknowledged for their public archaeology and curation efforts at Providence Island and the National Museum of Liberia. Shoutout to the BAHA team for the great work!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities 
  • The Archaeological Society of Jamaica: “Public Archaeology and Heritage at White Marl” Virtual Webinar | Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM local time – This engaging session will delve into the rich tapestry of Heritage and Archaeology at White Marl in Central Village, Saint Catherine.The focus will be on exploring the intricacies of this complex, organized pre-colonial site and shedding light on the potential risks it faces in the context of highway development. The discussion will extend to the profound concepts of memory and heritage, connecting decades of archaeological research to the contemporary life of the modern community surrounding the site. Join for an enlightening evening as we uncover the layers of history, weaving together the threads of the past with the challenges and opportunities of the present.
  • “Anthropology and the Black Experience” Dakar, Senegal | May 15-18, 2024 – The Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA), Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA), and the Black in BioAnth (BiBA) Collective are pleased to announce a call for papers for a conference entitled “Anthropology and the Black Experience.” The 21st century has witnessed significant shifts in the anthropological landscape, with diverse voices and perspectives emerging to challenge traditional narratives. This conference seeks to explore the unique contributions and experiences of Black scholars in anthropology, emphasizing the rich tapestry of knowledge, methodologies, and insights they bring to the discipline. We invite scholars, researchers, and students from all sub-disciplines and related fields to reflect on the historiography of anthropology in Africa and the African diaspora, the role and contributions of people of African descent in the field, and the latest research being done by and in communities of African descent.
  • SBA Conference Travel Award | The award offers support for non-US SBA members traveling to present research at scholarly conferences. SBA will provide a total award of up to $1000 USD. Award funding is intended for conference and travel-related expenses, including conference registration, travel (e.g., airfare, vehicle rentals), and room/board. Questions about the review criteria and the award can be directed to treasurer@societyofblackarchaeologists.com
  • Climate Change and Archaeology Survey | The Heritage-at-Risk Task Force of the Southeastern Archaeological Conference (SEAC) is conducting a short survey on the effects of climate change on the practice of archaeology and the resources we study. They invite all SBA members to contribute!
For more information on the SBA, please visit their webpage linked here.
SBA logo

Society of Black Archaeologists | SBA Elections – Deadline December 22, 2023

SBA logo

We are excited to announce the opening of elections for the Society of Black Archaeologists! 

Your vote is essential, as it plays a vital role in shaping the future of our community.

Your vote is crucial in determining the future direction of our organization.

Your vote ensures that your voice is heard in selecting leaders who represent your values and priorities.

Every vote matters, and your participation strengthens the democratic process within our community.

Vote here:Link ]


To ensure a smooth and secure voting process, please follow these instructions:

  • Take the time to familiarize yourself with the candidates running for each position.
  • Read their personal statements and gain a better understanding of their proposed initiatives and plans.
  • Make an informed decision based on your assessment of each candidate.
  • Click on the circle next to your chosen candidate for each position.
  • If you would like to cast a vote for an SBA member not listed, you may write in an SBA member by selecting the circle next to the word “other”.
  • Before finalizing your vote, review your selections.
  • Confirm your vote by clicking submit.
  • Once confirmed, your choices are submitted and cannot be changed.

The voting period ends on December 22nd, 2023.

Ensure you cast your vote before the deadline to have your voice heard.

Link to SBA Ballot : [ Link ]

Thank you for your active participation in the democratic process of the Society of Black Archaeologists!

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the nominations committee at admin@societyofblackarchaeologists.com

SBA logo

CFP: Anthropology and the Black Experience – Deadline December 31, 2023

SBA logo

The Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA), Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA), and the Black in BioAnth (BiBA) Collective are pleased to announce a call for papers for a conference entitled “Anthropology and the Black Experience.” The 21st century has witnessed significant shifts in the anthropological landscape, with diverse voices and perspectives emerging to challenge traditional narratives. This conference seeks to explore the unique contributions and experiences of Black scholars in anthropology, emphasizing the rich tapestry of knowledge, methodologies, and insights they bring to the discipline. The SBA invites scholars, researchers, and students from all sub-disciplines and related fields to reflect on the historiography of anthropology in Africa and the African diaspora, the role and contributions of people of African descent in the field, and the latest research being done by and in communities of African descent.

Abstract Submission Deadline: December 31, 2023
Notification of Acceptance: Late January

To apply, click this link. Please email all questions and inquiries to globalblackanthro@gmail.com.

Choices Program – Brown University Newsletter

In the late nineteenth century, European powers claimed the African continent for themselves. But Africans did not submit to outside control willingly. How did Africans resist European colonialism?

The Choices Program popular curriculum unit Colonization and Independence in Africa explores Africa before colonialism. Students then examine African responses and resistance to colonialism, the challenges of independence, and the legacies of colonialism and independence. They delve into four case studies (Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Democratic Republic of the Congo) and consider the changes colonialism imposed on governments, economies, and societies. The unit contains seven lesson plans that cover political geography, photo analysis, oral history, and assessment of primary and secondary sources.

This curriculum unit is part of their new Africana Studies Series that helps students critically examine, explore, and analyze unique experiences of African people and African-descended people.

Explore the colonization and independence curriculum here.

Applications open for ARCE AM 2024: Grant for Underrepresented Students

To increase opportunities and access to the ARCE Annual Meeting for students from typically underrepresented groups, ARCE will offer the 2024 ARCE Annual Meeting Grant for Underrepresented Students (ARCE Grant) to a maximum of five (5) eligible undergraduate or graduate students whose studies are related to (or who have an interest in studying) Nile Valley cultures through the disciplines of Egyptology, Nubiology, Africology, Art History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical, Coptic, Islamic, Middle East, and African Studies, or other related fields. Awardees will be paired with Ph.D. students or early career scholars who will act as mentors during the Annual Meeting.

Up to five grants will be awarded annually. The ARCE Grant will pay all fees related to (i) Annual Meeting registration; (ii) lodging costs and breakfast at the host hotel for each night of the Annual Meeting; and (iii) transportation costs (up to a maximum of $500) incurred in attending the Annual Meeting. Prior to the Annual Meeting, Awardees must consult with the US ARCE Office to arrange registration, lodging, and transportation. ARCE will purchase air or train tickets on behalf of, and in consultation with, awardees. Awardees will be responsible for costs in excess of $500

Application Deadline: December 15, 2023 11:59 PM EST.

Click this link to learn more and apply.

Unearthing History: The Remarkable Journey of John Wesley Gilbert

Read the article “Unearthing History: The Remarkable Journey of John Wesley Gilbert” by Tamara Shiloh to learn more about the first Black alumni from a Brown University masters department, as well as the first African American archaeologist in America!

The article can be accessed through this link.

Society of Black Archaeologist – Annual Virtual Meeting

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Virtual Annual Meeting of the Society of Black Archaeologists on September 30, 12PMET! The virtual event will include a business meeting, followed by committee meetings and break-out room networking sessions for paid members.

Learn more about the annual meeting and register here!

Greek Reporter: “John Gilbert: The First African-American Archaeologist Was Fascinated with Athens”

Read this article by Anna Wichmann about Brown-alumni and first African American to receive an advanced degree from Brown University, John Gilbert. More information about this groundbreaking figure in Greek Archaeology can also be found here. 

Award Winning CLIR’s “Material Memory: HBCU Library Alliance Tour” Podcast

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has been honored with the prestigious 2023 AASLH Award of Excellence for its groundbreaking podcast, Material Memory Season 3: HBCU Library Alliance Tour. Presented by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), this accolade recognizes outstanding contributions in preserving state and local history.

In its third season, Material Memory, hosted by Sharon M. Burney, explores libraries at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The podcast highlights the significance of their collections and their impact on communities. Over eight compelling episodes, thought-provoking conversations delve into questions of history, identity, and the challenges faced by these institutions. The discussions also address the role of cultural heritage institutions in preserving Black culture.

Material Memory takes listeners on a captivating tour of six HBCU libraries, spotlighting the individuals behind the collections and showcasing the crucial role of these institutions in their communities. The journey spans from Baltimore, Maryland, to Charlotte, North Carolina; from Columbia, South Carolina, to Lorman, Mississippi; and from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Nashville, Tennessee. The podcast examines the impact of HBCU library collections on both local and global society.

Listen to Material Memories here!

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