16th SOMA
"IDENTITY & CONNECTIVITY"
will be held in Florence (Italy)
from the 1st to the 3rd of March 2012
On behalf of the Organizing Committee we kindly invite all scholars working on subjects related to Mediterranean Archaeology to participate at the Symposium that will be organized jointly by the University of Florence, CAMNES (Center for Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies) and GAMA (General Association of Mediterranean Archaeology) under the patronage of the City of Florence, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Osservatorio Mediterraneo.
ORGANIZING INSTITUTIONS
Università di Firenze - Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia
Piazza Brunelleschi 4, 50121 - Firenze, Italy
Center for Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies
Via del Giglio 15, 50123 - Firenze, Italy
General Association of Mediterranean Archaeology
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Prof. Giovannangelo Camporeale (University of Florence & CAMNES)
Prof. Anna Margherita Jasink (University of Florence)
Prof. Paolo Liverani (University of Florence)
Prof. Fabio Martini (University of Florence)
Prof. Stefania Mazzoni (University of Florence & CAMNES)
Prof. Guido Vannini (University of Florence)
Dr. Massimo Cultraro (National Research Council, CNR & CAMNES)
Dr. Nicola Laneri (University of Catania & CAMNES)
Assist. Prof. Ertekin Doksanaltı (GAMA - Selçuk University)
Dr. Lihi Habas (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Prof. Alexandr Okorokov (Russian Academy of Sciences)
Prof. Ahmet Adil Tırpan (Selçuk University)
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Dr. Luca Bombardieri (University of Florence)
Dr. Anacleto D’Agostino (University of Florence)
Guido Guarducci – PhD attendant (CAMNES, University of Reading)
Dr. Valentina Orsi (University of Florence)
Dr. Stefano Valentini (CAMNES)
Secretary
Dr. Francesca Amato
AIMS AND GOALS OF THE SYMPOSIUM
Since prehistoric times the Mediterranean has been acting as a locale for interaction between groups inhabiting regions that are now studied mainly within the different sub-fields of ancient studies. In recent years, however, the development of research techniques and analytical models of archaeological evidence (e.g. the International spirit defined by C. Renfrew) have identified similar historical paths that are similar if not, in some cases, common to these different areas of the ancient world from the West (Iberian peninsula) to the East (Anatolia and Levant) from the North (Europe) to the South (Maghreb and Egypt). The use of a connectivity theoretical perspective has enhanced interactive approaches especially designed to better define the forms of networks and connections that characterized the commercial and non-commercial exchange among Mediterranean polities during ancient times. Therefore, a new concept of Archaeology of the Mediterranean and the Near East, with a broader geographical perspective, is starting to develop and the archaeological approach concerning the "East and West" question becomes now more important than ever, placing face-to-face seemingly different cultures, which in the beginning shared similar roots and which descended from one another. However, connections with exogenous cultures could have also brought about outbreaks aimed at reaffirming local identities vis à vis the presence of cultural, religious and political forms of foreign identities. The expression of local identity and networks of interactions can be recognized in the material culture and, thus, the 16th SOMA meeting to be held in Florence in March 1st - 3rd welcomes presentations related to the above-mentioned topics using archaeological data collected within contexts located within the Mediterranean basin and the Ancient Near Eastern area, chronologically ranging from Prehistoric to Medieval periods.
Participants
The Symposium is dedicated to all the scholars working on subjects related to Mediterranean Archaeology.
PAPERS
Papers will be grouped in different sessions dedicated to the different regions of the Mediterranean. Each session will be developed following a chronological sequence, from the Prehistory to the Medieval Age:
1. Western Mediterranean
2. Central Mediterranean
3. Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean
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4.Near East and Egypt
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5.Mediterranean Interactions
Also papers regarding the following themes will be accepted:
- Archaeometry
- Conservation, preservation and archaeological site management
- Restoration and Museology
There are no other limitations regarding the subject and the period, but special consideration will be given to papers adopting an innovative theoretical and methodological approach.
Please note: no papers dealing with unprovenanced artifacts will be accepted.
The conference language will be English, in order to maintain the usual organization of SOMA conferences. No translation services will be available during the congress.
All speakers are requested to observe a 20 minute limit for presented papers. Presentations will be given as Power Point presentations. More details about the presentation will be given to our web site: www.soma2012florence.net.
ABSTRACTS AND REGISTRATION
Abstracts have to be written in English and they should be approximately 3000 characters (Title 200 characters).
Submission of abstracts: September 2nd 2011 – January 15th 2012
All submitted abstracts will be evaluated by the Organizing Committee before January 22nd 2012. Attention! Due to a major increase in the available facilities and, therefore, of the related sessions, and also to facilitate the travel and accommodation programming, the registered participants will be notified about their abstract acceptance within 15 days from submission.
Information on accepted proposals will be sent, via e-mail, by this date.
To submit an abstract please fill-in the registration form on the official website: www.soma2012florence.net.
Symposium registration should be made by Febraury 12th 2012
The registration fee for speakers and authors is 60 € until Febraury 12th 2012, rising to 80 € after Febraury 12th 2012.
Students will pay a reduced fee of 50 € until Febraury 12th 2012, rising to 70 € after Febraury 12th 2012.
To register as a student, please send the number and validity period of your Student Card. Please note that student IDs will be checked during registration.
The registration fee for the congress covers attendance to all congress sessions, congress welcome kit (program, abstracts, city plans etc.), the symposium proceedings that will follow the conference, coffee breaks and welcome drinks.
Listeners must also register but their registration will be free of charge.
To register please go to our web site: www.soma2012florence.net. Written confirmation will be sent by electronic mail following registration.
PAYMENT METHODS
All amounts are payable in Euro (€). All bank charges must be paid by the participants. Only transfers until February 24th 2012 can be accepted. The Registration fees can be paid on line through PayPal or by bank transfer.
For details see our web site: www.soma2012florence.net.
Once payment has been made, no refund will be given.
PUBLICATION
The proceedings of the symposium will be published by Archaeopress within the B.A.R. International Series. The Abstracts will be published on-line on the official website (www.soma2012florence.net).
2nd CIRCULAR
Information about the Program and the related Activities of the Symposium, accommodations, and travel to Florence will be given on the website (www.soma2012florence.net). The 2nd Circular will be published on the official website before the end of December 2011. Attention! The second circular with the final program will be online during the second half of February. For traveling and accommodation concerns go to “travel & Accommodation” section at the top of this page or in the Home page.
CONTACTS
For more detailed information and updates visit our websites:
and:
or write to:
We would be very grateful for informing all potential SOMA participants
Florence, September 2nd 2011