Fit for purpose? Taxonomies for the Palaeolithic reconsidered
Date: 04.12.2014
Time: 5:00 - 6:00
Speaker: Dr. Francis Wenban-Smith
Location: John Wymer Lab. 65A
Centre for the Archaeology of Human Origins Seminar Series
On the 4th December Dr. Francis Wenban-Smith will lead a debate on the nomenclature of Palaeolithic periods, chaired by Prof. Clive Gamble.
Abstract:
The fundamental nomenclature of the periods into which the Palaeolithic is sub-divided, for instance (in Europe) “Lower, Middle and Upper”, have a long and venerable history. However it is becoming increasingly questionable whether the current taxonomy is fit for purpose, and if not how might it most usefully be updated. Clearly the key question for such a taxonomy must be what questions we want to answer. This seminar will review the way we divide the Palaeolithic into named periods and reconsider the rationale/basis for doing so, considering what might be more suitable approaches to sub-division, and possible revisions to names and date-ranges.
Please join us in the John Wymer Lab, 65A (Avenue Campus). As a precursor we are also looking to start a debate on this forum; connected to the recent FISH E-conference on the same topic. So please also comment directly to this post.