Northern Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology Workshop at the University of Groningen
February 1, 2015
An International Japan-Netherlands Archaeology Workshop: Northern Hunter-Gatherers in Comparative Perspective: Identity, Technology and Transformation
Between 12th and 14th January 2015 a delegation of Japanese project members, led by Prof Hirofumi Kato, visited the Arctic Centre and Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA) at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
They took part in a BHAP-sponsored workshop on Northern Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, which was organised by Prof. Peter Jordan (Arctic Centre / GIA) and Prof. Daan Raemakkers (GIA). The workshop opened with an overview and introduction from Peter Jordan and a keynote lecture by Prof Hirofumi Kato (Uni. of Hokkaido). This was followed by presentations from both the Japanese delegation and staff from GIA and Arctic Centre.
The first half of the workshop featured papers on the origins of the Ainu culture in northern Japan and included results from bioarchaeological and DNA research as well as material culture studies.
In the second half two perspectives on hunter-gatherer archaeology and the transition to farming in The Netherlands and Denmark were given by Prof Daan Raemaekers (GIA), on pottery, and Dr Hans Peeters (GIA), on pit-hearths. Following this, PhD candidates Liz Matthews and Sarah Dresscher from the Arctic Centre/GIA presented on the Mesolithic of the British Isles and the expansion of European commercial hunting into the High Arctic respectively.
Link to conference programme poster here.
Prof Hirofumi Kato from the University of Hokkaido presenting the keynote lecture at the Northern Hunter-Gatherer workshop.
Speakers at the Northern Hunter-Gatherer Workshop (Academic Building, University of Groningen): (back, l-r) Prof Peter Jordan (Arctic Centre/GIA), Prof Hirofumi Kato (Uni. Of Hokkaido), Prof Daan Raemaekers (GIA), Ms Sarah Dresscher (Arctic Centre/GIA), Ms Elizabeth Lawton-Matthews (Arctic Centre/GIA), Dr Hans Peeters (GIA); (front, l-r) Dr Hitoshi Fukase (Uni. Of Hokkaido), Prof Noboru Hidachi (Uni. Of Yamanashi), Dr Tomohito Nagaoka (St. Marianna University School of Medicine), Prof Hajime Ishida (Uni. Ryukus)