Conferences

SOCIETY FOR HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE CODE OF CONDUCT

PREAMBLE

The Society for Historical Archaeology is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment for all attendees at its conferences.  To that end, the SHA will work to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or any other category.  The SHA will not tolerate harassment in any form at any SHA-sponsored events.  This policy applies to all SHA members and non-members who participate in an SHA activity.

DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES OF IMPERMISSIBLE CONDUCT

Harassment includes offensive comments or behavior related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, sexual images in public space, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.  Outside of research presentations that include specific considerations of sexuality or sexual representations in the past, sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, social media and other online media.

Harassment under this Policy refers to any behavior by an individual or group that contributes to a hostile, intimidating and/or unwelcoming environment.  Such conduct is harmful, disrespectful, and unprofessional. 

OBLIGATION

All participants and attendees at the conference accept the obligation to treat everyone with respect and civility and to uphold the rights of all participants and attendees, including SHA staff, temporary staff, contractors, volunteers and hotel staff, to be free from harassment.

Attendees are bound by the SHA Ethics Principles, the SHA Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and this Conference Code of Conduct.  Attendees should also be aware that they are also bound by the codes of conduct at their home institution(s).  This policy, which is consistent with the professional ethics statement of the SHA, does not supersede institutional codes but is intended to reinforce their message.

By obtaining SHA membership, registering to present or attend SHA meetings, members and participants commit to maintaining respectful and ethical relationships in accordance with this policy.  The SHA reserves the right to remove an individual violating this policy from the SHA annual conference without warning or refund and prohibit attendance at future SHA conferences and/or activities.

Should the SHA have concerns regarding an individual’s attendance at its conference creating a safety issue, the SHA can bar the individual from registering and attending the conference. In the case of proven violations that took place prior to the annual meeting and that have been reported and documented prior to pre-registration, proven harassers/assailants will be barred from participation.  Late and on-site registrations will be rescinded immediately should information be received documenting a proven violation.  The SHA will not conduct its own investigation but will accept the investigations of law enforcement agencies, RPA, universities, EEOC and employers.  Documented harassers/assailants should be identified to SHA staff or leadership by survivors or other reporters as early as possible.  Identification with documentation of adjudication needs to be provided to bar participation in SHA events. 

REPORTING AT THE CONFERENCE

Conference attendees, who experience or witness harassment as defined by this policy, or who are aware that a conference participant is currently or has been sanctioned for assault or harassment by an adjudicating body and can provide documentation of the outcome, are encouraged to contact one of the following:

1. SHA Executive Director directly at 240-753-4397;
2. A member of the SHA Board of Directors ; or
3. A member SHA Code of Conduct Committee, whose name and contact information are listed at the end of this document.

These individuals will provide appropriate support to those who witnessed or who have experienced harassment or feel unsafe for any reason at the conference.  The Executive Director or a member of the SHA Code of Conduct Committee will advise on the formal complaints process and, if requested, forward complaints to the full SHA Code of Conduct Committee for resolution. 

Formal complaints should be as specific as possible about how alleged behavior constitutes harassment, as defined in this SHA policy.   Any report received will remain confidential to the maximum extent possible when the SHA Code of Conduct Committee considers and investigates the complaint. 

The Society for Historical Archaeology’s 2024 conference committee invites you to join us in Oakland, California, for our annual conference on historical and underwater archaeology. The 2024 conference will be held at the Marriott Oakland City Center and Convention Center on January 3-6, 2024.

Oakland is located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. Our theme for the conference, “Portals to the Past—Gateway to the Future,” highlights the significant role Oakland played in California history, from its indigenous roots to the modern era, as a terminal for the railroads and as a gateway to the Pacific markets by sea. The San Francisco Bay was first encountered by Spanish explorers from the Oakland Hills, not by sea.

The earliest known inhabitants were the Huchiun tribe, who have lived there since time immemorial. The Huchiun belong to a linguistic grouping later called the Ohlone (a Miwok word meaning “western people”). In Oakland, they were concentrated around Lake Merritt and Temescal Creek, a stream that enters the San Francisco Bay at Emeryville. Oakland is one of an estimated 425 shellmound sites in the greater Bay Area. Conquistadors from New Spain claimed Oakland, and other Ohlone lands of the East Bay, along with the rest of California, for the king of Spain in 1772. In the early 19th century, the Spanish crown deeded the East Bay area to Luis María Peralta for his Rancho San Antonio. The grant was confirmed by the successor Mexican republic upon its independence from Spain. The Peralta ranch included a stand of oak trees that stretched from the land that is today Oakland’s downtown area to the adjacent part of Alameda, then a peninsula. The Peraltas called the area encinal, a Spanish word that means “oak grove”. This was translated more loosely as “Oakland” in the subsequent naming of the town. The forest was so prominent that ships entering San Francisco Bay would use particular trees as a navigational landmark—hence the logo.

The City of Oakland was incorporated on March 25, 1854. During the city’s early development, Mayor Samuel Merritt (1867-1869) orchestrated the construction of a dam at a small tidal estuary to the east of downtown which raised the estuary’s water level and turned it into Lake Merritt.  Today the Lake is a lively scene for cultural and civic events and a popular jogging site. The city and its environs quickly grew with the railroads, becoming a major rail terminal in the late 1860s and 1870s. In 1868, the Central Pacific constructed the Oakland Long Wharf at Oakland Point, the site of today’s Port of Oakland.

In the 1960s, the oldest section of Oakland at the foot of Broadway, Jack London Square, was redeveloped into a hotel and outdoor retail district. During the 1960s, the city was home to an innovative funk music scene that produced well-known bands like Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station, Tower of Power, Cold Blood, Azteca, and the Headhunters. By 1966, only 16 of the city’s 661 police officers were black. Tensions between the black community and the largely white police force were high, and police malfeasance against black people was common. In response, the Black Panther Party was founded by students Huey Newton and Bobby Seale at Merritt College.

Today, shipping remains an integral feature of Oakland with one of the busiest shipping ports on the Pacific Coast.  Oakland has been enjoying a renaissance with restaurants, craft breweries, and the arts in its Downtown and Uptown districts near the conference center.  The proximity of Oakland to San Francisco, and its position on the “sunny side of the bay” make it a terrific site for a conference.

Conference Committee

Conference Chair
Marco Meniketti

Program Chairs

Terrestrial Chair
Cameron Monroe

Co-coordinators
Kent Lightfoot
Elaine Foster
Albert Gonzalez
Laura Wilkie

Underwater Chair
Bert Ho

Volunteer Coordinator
Elaine Foster

Workshop Coordinator
Sheli Smith

Bookroom Coordinator
Albert Gonzalez

Local Arrangements
Marco Meniketti
Albert Gonzalez

Media Contact
Marco Meniketti

Sponsorship/Fundraising
Marco Meniketti
Bert Ho

Accessibility and Inclusion
Alicia Hedges

Roundtable Luncheons
Kent Lightfoot

Local Tribal Liaisons
Michael Wilcox

Awards
J. W. Joseph

The Marriott Oakland City Center will serve as our conference hotel. The hotel is attached to the Oakland Convention Center and is a short walk to the Oakland Museum of California, the Library of African American History, and Lake Merritt.  We are adjacent to Oakland’s Chinatown, and Jack London Square with its breweries and restaurants, and the marina is a fifteen minute walk.  Rooms at the hotel have lovely views of the bay, the Oakland hills, and downtown skyline. Additional hotels are nearby. The hotel and conference center is linked to the Oakland and San Francisco International airports by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) with a station entrance across the street from the hotel. From this station, conference attendees are only two stops away from downtown San Francisco via the Transbay tube or a twenty minute ride to the UC Berkeley campus.

The immediate vicinity hosts hundreds of restaurants and more than thirty craft beer breweries and tap rooms, all within a one mile radius of the hotel in Downtown and Uptown areas.

Room rates for the SHA block at the Marriott Oakland City Center are $159.00/night for a single/double room.  Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 14% and subject to change), CA Tourism Assessment Fees (current $.65 and subject to change), and Oakland Tourism Business Improvement District Fees (currently $1.50 and subject to change), in effect at the time of check in.  To reserve your room in the SHA block at the Marriott Oakland City Center, use the following link: https://book.passkey.com/gt/219032744?gtid=ea367ffccdc6e86e263102f03d3f1bd2

The Conference Access Package offers a wealth of information on accessibility for conference participants, including traveling to Oakland, public transportation, accommodations at the Marriott Oakland City Center, the Conference venue, and emergency services.  Also included are tips on creating accessible presentations and posters.  Download a copy and keep it handy.  You’ll be glad you did!

SHA 2024 Conference Access Package

The SHA 2024 Conference will host a Book Room that will include exhibits of products, services, and publications from companies and other organizations in the archaeological community. The SHA welcomes exhibitors, who share its mission and agree with its Ethics Principles, the SHA Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and its Conference Code of Conduct, at the 2024 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology, January 3-6, 2024 in Oakland, California.

Download the 2024 Conference Exhibitor Prospectus here.

Download the Call for Papers 2024 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology.  The Call for Papers closes on June 30, 2023.

There are two important changes to the Call for Papers for the 2024 Conference, as follows:

1. OPEN vs. CLOSED SYMPOSIA. Symposium organizers can choose whether their session is “open” to additional presenters in the session or “closed” to additional presenters. Organizers will need to indicate this when they submit their session. For OPEN symposia, the title, abstract and organizer contact information will be posted to the SHA Conference page at https://sha.org/conferences/. Individuals interested in submitting their paper to a particular “open” symposium must contact the organizer to request permission to submit to the session prior to submitting their abstract. The Conference Program Committee may also assign relevant general submissions to an open symposium, subject to the approval of the organizers. For CLOSED symposia, only presenters identified by the organizer at the time the session abstract is submitted will present in that session.
2. IN-PERSON vs. PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATION. You will be asked to indicate whether you will be presenting your paper/session in person at the conference in Oakland or whether you wish to pre-record your paper/session and have it uploaded to a website platform for viewing by conference registrants. All forum and poster presentations must be in-person. It is at the discretion of a symposium organizer or general submission paper author as to whether their contribution is pre-recorded or in-person, but there will be no mixing and matching of formats within a session. This means that all papers in an in-person symposium must be presented by an individual in Oakland; no pre-recorded presentations will be permitted for in-person symposia (or vice versa). All pre-recorded papers and sessions will be uploaded to the virtual conference website (see https://shavirtual.org) and included in the conference program.

Submit your abstract at: www.conftool.com/sha2024.

For questions on the Call for Papers, contact the 2024 Program Chair at sha2024program@gmail.com.

Download the 2024 ConfTool FAQ for Symposium Organizers and Session Chairs

In keeping with the successful 2023 format, symposium organizers can now choose whether their symposium is closed or open to other submissions. If a session is designated as ‘open’ by the symposium organizer, then other authors can submit individual papers to that session once approval has been given by the symposium organizer; the 2024 program committee may also direct appropriate papers to the session. Additional papers will be subject to approval by the symposium organizer. Please contact the symposium organizer directly by email before submitting your abstract to an open symposium.

Title: Exploration-Forward Archaeology Through Community-Driven Research
Organizer: Phil A. Hartmeyer  (phil.hartmeyer@noaa.gov)
Abstract: Through both internal and external activities, archaeology has been part of NOAA Ocean Exploration’s mission to explore the unknown ocean since its beginnings. By working closely with partners across public, private, and academic sectors, we are filling gaps in our basic understanding of the marine and archaeological landscape from coastal waters to the deep sea. This exploration-forward session presents archaeological investigations, projects, and partnerships in the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific and Great Lakes regions to help consider the fundamental questions: How do we encounter and engage underwater cultural heritage when conducting exploration-focused operations? How do we archive, share, and protect these data? How can we better engage and support the archaeology community?

Title: From Whalers to World War II: Guam Underwater Archaeology
Organizer: Anne Nunn (anne_wright@nps.gov) and Toni Carrell (tlcarrell@shipsofdiscovery.org)
Abstract: Federal agencies, non-profits, and universities have recently undertaken multiple studies on the island of Guam to locate and document previously unrecorded underwater archaeological sites on federal and state submerged bottom lands. The island is the ancestral home of the CHamoru people, which has been occupied by Spain, Japan, or the United States since 1521, resulting in abundant cultural resources, ranging from indigenous sites of the CHamoru people to whaling shipwrecks and remnants of World War II’s amphibious invasion. This session focuses on the research, methodology, and results of these investigations.

Title: Conservation of Archaeological Materials from Submerged Sites
Organizer: Chris Dostal (dostalc@tamu.edu )
Abstract: The conservation of archaeological materials from submerged sites brings in unique challenges not present in terrestrial archaeological conservation. Storage, pre-treatment, conservation strategies, and curation all have to be tailored to contend with the way different materials degrade in water. Significant strides have been made in recent decades to overcome several of the more serious issues that have plagued conservators, but there are plenty of new challenges ahead, especially as more modern materials begin to fall into the archaeological record. This session is a broad forum to highlight recent developments in methodological approaches, some of the challenges facing conservators, and interesting case studies related to the conservation of archaeological materials from underwater sites.

Title: Historic Mortuary Archaeology: New cultural insights from above- and below-ground evidence
Organizers:Harold Mytum (hmytum@liv.ac.uk) and Richard Veit (rveit@monmouth.edu)
Abstract: Excavation, often initiated by CRM, and academic research of existing collections and mortuary landscapes and monuments, all continue to be important aspects of historical archaeology. This symposium brings together active researchers to share regional and national perspectives and methodologies related to the cultural aspects of mortuary culture (not human remains) above and below ground. The evidence from mortuary archaeology provides insights into past social structures, personal and group identities, the process of body management and disposal, the emotion of loss, and the technology of commercial undertaking and commemoration. Burial grounds are also important in contemporary society, and many initiatives are bringing such sites back to public attention, initiating community engagement, and providing greater protection through state and national regulation. This symposium will offer those working on historic mortuary archaeology to share experience and expertise, to continue to develop these aspects of historical archaeology.

Title: Needle, Meet Haystack: The Role of Magnetometers in Underwater Archaeological Research and the Evolution of Interpreting Magnetic Data for Cultural Resource Investigations
Organizers: Amy A. Borgens (Amy.Borgens@thc.texas.gov) and Hunter W. Whitehead (h.w.whitehead3@gmail.com)
Abstract:  The magnetometer is an essential tool in underwater archaeological surveys allowing for the identification of submerged archaeological sites. Magnetometers are able to detect magnetic anomalies caused by the presence of ferrous materials, which can be used to locate shipwrecks, submerged structures, and other archaeological sites. In areas that experience pronounced sedimentation and shoreline migration, the magnetometer is often the most decisive tool for identifying submerged cultural resources.  This symposium will provide a comprehensive overview of the early use of magnetometers in underwater archaeology and shed light on the significant contributions made by archaeologists in the field. Participants will share case studies and best practices for using magnetometers in different underwater environments, including rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans. The symposium aims to highlight not only the early development of archaeological interpretation of magnetic data, but also to showcase newer methodologies such as the use of autonomous vehicles and aerial drones.

Title: Approaches to Submerged and Coastal Landscapes
Organizers: Eric Rodriguez-Delgado (Earodrig@ucsd.edu), Loren Clark (LrClark@ucsd.edu), and Shawn Joy (ssjoy45@yahoo.com)
Abstract: The study of submerged and coastal landscapes encompasses a broad range of cultural, geographical, geological and imagined spaces. Defining what makes any landscape is an inherently complex and difficult undertaking, especially in those spaces where the landscape has changed and we are attempting to reconstruct and communicate as many elements of the past as possible. Archaeological approaches to landscapes are all unique in their perspectives, research designs, and theoretical considerations, it is important to put these studies in conversation with one another to contribute to broader understandings of submerged and coastal landscapes. This session invites presentations that illustrate the unique elements for each landscape that maritime archaeologists examine and focus on innovative methods and theories to avoid overgeneralized interpretations of these cultural landscapes.

Title: A Tribute to the Legacy of Leland Ferguson: A Journey From Uncommon Ground to God’s Fields
Organizers: Kelly E. Goldberg (goldbeke@mailbox.sc.edu) and Andrew Agha (andrew@aghatechind.com)
Abstract: Dr. Leland G. Ferguson was called to the field of archaeology from a young age, inspired by a childhood laced with arrowhead collection and folklore observations, which led to a unique attention to the interactions of people, places, and things. His nuanced dedication to engaging in multidisciplinary approaches and collaborative research opened the door for a new direction of archaeological inquiry, and he has often been heralded as one of the great teachers and mentors in American Archaeology. Reflections in this session highlight the many ways that Leland directly impacted the trajectory of historical archaeology, as well as the lives of those who conduct research within the field.

Title: In the Sticks but Not in the Weeds: Diversity, Remembrance, and the Forging of the Rural American West
Organizers: Chelsea Rose (rosec@sou.edu) and Renae Campbell (campbell.renae@gmail.com)
Abstract: Diversity has long been a facet of life in the American West but is commonly understood to be a phenomenon largely confined to urban areas. This session brings together papers that challenge that narrative or question the framing of rural spaces as perpetually homogenous, bucolic, and out-of-the-way places where only a narrowly defined set of actors played any meaningful role. By exploring the unique dynamics of rural communities, these presentations highlight how various groups navigated the opportunities, constraints, and complex social worlds of small-town life. The papers in this session reflect on the various ways that popular Western narratives have romanticized, whitewashed, and winnowed away the complexity of rural spaces. The erasure of these experiences has haunted both currently and formerly rural areas, disconnecting modern communities from their rich social and cultural pasts.

Title: At Stake in the Quad: Archaeologies on/of Campus
Organizers: Ian Straughn (istraugh@uci.edu) and Christopher Lowman (clowman@uci.edu)
Abstract: A university campus is an archaeological site. It has the potential to serve as a classroom not only for traditional field methods training, but also as a venue for developing projects that examine institutional histories, consumption practices, archaeologies of the contemporary, and the impact of CRM and legal frameworks on land use and development. This session explores innovative ways to engage with the archaeological record of North American campus and campus life in both pedagogy and research. How do the varied spaces, structures, and strictures that comprise the university landscape provide opportunities for reimagining the archaeological record, particularly its accessibility for undergraduate students? Are these archaeological engagements with the campus fundamentally different whether it be a large, land-grant university; a small, liberal-arts college; or an urban community college? Do they share core commonalities in terms of the questions to be asked or lessons to be learned?

Title: Co-Producing Space: Relational Approaches to Agrarian Landscapes, Labor, Commodities, and Communities
Organizers: Elizabeth Clay (clay@ccsu.edu) and Samantha Ellens (samantha.ellens@wayne.edu)
Abstract: This session brings together scholars working at the intersection of landscape, food, and labor studies within historical archaeology. We will explore the following questions: what kinds of labor and knowledge go into producing agricultural landscapes that become recognizable as such?; in what historical circumstances do plants become commodities?; how do different forms of labor (enslaved, free, indentured, migratory) and knowledges (African, Indigenous, European, American) work together to produce agricultural landscapes with their associated infrastructures, be they plantations, farms, gardens, or other sites of organized crop production? We conceptualize producers, products, and places of production as mutually constitutive: taking inspiration from Anna Tsing (2011, 2015) and Sarah Besky (2013), among others, we propose a multispecies approach to the study of taskscapes, recognizing that the life of a given plant shapes both landscapes and the everyday lives of laborers, allowing us to think relationally and agentically about landscapes, plants, and people.

Title: Archaeology of Marginalization and Resilience in the Northeast
Organizers: Christopher Matthews (matthewsc@mail.montclair.edu), Megan Hicks (mhick@hunter.cuny.edu ), and Will Williams (wwilliams@gradcenter.cuny.edu)
Abstract: Historical archaeology in the northeastern United States has a long and vibrant history of identifying and interpreting material histories of communities marginalized by racism and other intersecting forms of violence. Papers in the session add new sites and analyses to this body of work. The focus remains on recovering information about the lives of those ignored, deliberately obscured, and harmed by the dominant society to understand their social positions as well as their resiliency despite living through difficult conditions. These case studies demonstrate many different ways people and communities established solid ground to stand on and advance their interests. These acts provide valuable insight into the strategies used to undermine social violence as well as ways American identities formed on the margins.

Title: Beyond the Battlefield: The Search for World War II’s Missing in Action by DPAA and Its Partners
Organizers: Abigail Bleichner (ableichner@hjf.org), Megan Lickliter-Mundon (mlicklitermundon@hjf.org) and Jessica Irwin (jirwin@hjf.org)
Abstract: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. As of June 2023, over 81,000 Americans remain unaccounted for. Of this number, more than 72,000 of these individuals are from the Second World War. The search for these service men and women is a global effort that requires teamwork, innovation, and adaptation.

This symposium offers a closer look at field efforts on World War II sites led by both DPAA and partner organizations. The different approaches, methodologies, and collaborations highlighted in this session offer a window into the wide range of archaeological approaches taken to document and ultimately resolve cases as part of our nation’s accounting mission.

Title: Critical Archaeologies of Whiteness
Organizer: Matthew C. Greer (mcgkkb@missouri.edu)
Abstract: Historical archaeologists have long studied race, but most of this work has focused on people of color while omitting people racialized as white. This treatment inadvertently normalizes whiteness by positioning it outside of discussions of racial identities instead of approaching white people as racialized individuals who actively participated in perpetuating racist hierarchies that benefited them in a myriad of ways. This session provides case studies that critically explore whiteness in the past and, ideally, how archaeology can be used to subvert understandings of whiteness in the present.

Title: Exploring the Maritime Archaeology of the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain Valley: Ongoing Research
Organizer: Marijo Gauthier-Bérubé (marijogberube@irhmas.com)
Abstract: While sitting on two different countries, Canada and the United States, the landscape of the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain Valley have often been part of the same network. This region witnessed the passage of people, interconnecting transportation and military conflicts which have left an enduring legacy up to today. This session will showcase archaeological projects exploring the maritime cultural heritage of the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain Valley by highlighting the interconnectedness of human interaction through archaeology. Focus will be given to ongoing research to provide an occasion for scholars to engage with each other as their projects are evolving.

Title: Ocean Heritage at Risk and the UN Decade for Ocean Science
Organizers: Charlotte Jarvis (charlotte.jarvis98@gmail.com), Georgia Holly (Georgia.Holly@ed.ac.uk), and Arturo Rey da Silva (arturo.rey@ed.ac.uk)
Abstract: This symposium focuses on risks to heritage from a variety of factors and discusses possible tools for mitigation and to harness its potentiality for a better future. . There will be a marine cultural heritage focus in which the UN Decade for Ocean Science is discussed as a vehicle for adding maritime archaeology and UCH to the global discussions of ocean science. Crucial case studies will bring this issue to light. Blue Growth is also a development factor affecting cultural heritage and how society has traditionally used marine spaces. It can also be a tool to harness the potential of UCH and design strategies to marry development with heritage preservation. Furthermore, issues surrounding the impacts of climate change on heritage and coastal communities will be discussed, and how through aligning multidisciplinary ocean heritage mitigation strategies, we can engage and integrate the protection of UCH into the Decade of Ocean Science.

Title: What is “Historical”?
Organizer: Kirsten Vacca (kmvacca@hawaii.edu)
Abstract: Historical archaeology has been redefined through the years but a constant has been the focus on colonial-era histories in the North American archaeology tradition. However, this temporal definition often centers on settler experiences resulting in ever-disappearing Native/Indigenous subjects. The rigid temporal divisions promote writing about the “other” without allowing the knowledge of people marginalized as “other” to exist in the same temporal space. Exclusion of Indigenous people’s histories from the same temporal space as Western histories effectively excludes Indigenous archaeology and Native/Indigenous community partners from historical archaeology spaces. This session questions what ‘historical’ means today, whether a temporal division still exists (in definition or in practice), and the effect this designation of Native and Indigenous histories as ahistorical has had on perceptions of contemporary Indigenous communities or our relationships with community partners.

TItle: Cultural Heritage Laws and Policies, Political Economy, and the Community Importance of Archaeological Sites
Organizer: Ellen Chapman (ellen@culturalheritagepartners.com)
Abstract: A significant portion of archaeology across the world is now conducted because of cultural heritage laws, policies, and regulations, and is funded not by passionate researchers or stakeholder communities, but by proponents who are required to pay for it to complete their projects. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of archaeological investigations that occur within a process that is regulated or influenced by government policy, considering the roles of archaeological researchers and companies; descendant communities; project proponents; tribes; consulting parties; and local, state, and federal government agencies. Papers in the session will explore the political economy of these dynamics, exploring how archaeological outcomes are influenced by financial capacity, political access, and legal systems. The session will also explore how groups with heightened connections to these archaeological places, such as tribes, consulting parties, and descendant families and communities, navigate these dynamics when working to interpret and preserve their heritage.

Title: Underwater Archaeology In The 21^st Century: From Humble Beginnings To Integration With Anthropology And Archaeology
Organizer: John Broadwater (john.d.broadwater@gmail.com)
Abstract: This symposium addresses the conference theme, “Portals to the Past—Gateway to the Future,” by presenting four views of underwater archaeology, from its roots in adventure diving and treasure hunting to a maturing sub-discipline within the fields of anthropology and archaeology. Topics include early efforts to develop the discipline, social structure, state programs, and new categories, such as shipwreck anthropology and naval archaeology. The first project to fully excavate an underwater site by professional archaeologists employing accepted archaeological methodology did not take place until 1960. “The Cape Gelidonya Shipwreck”, excavated by Dr. George Bass, forever altered the view that “divers” could add little useful information to the archaeological record. Since then, progress has been swift, and underwater archaeology has made many significant contributions to our understanding of the past. However, there is still room for improvement.

SHA Recorded Presentation Submission Instructions

If you need to make arrangements for child care during the SHA 2024 Conference, please contact Care.com at:
https://www.care.com/landingPage-p1523-q156634375.html?_qs=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi_Sqve-JgQMV6iutBh37_QW0EAAYASAAEgJE-vD_BwE

Student volunteers are essential to the smooth operation of an SHA Conference.  By assisting with a variety of duties – from registration and Book Room set-up to the special events and the sessions themselves – volunteers are a key component of the Conference’s smooth operation.

If you are a current student and interested in volunteering for the SHA 2024 Conference, please complete the Volunteer Form and conference registration form and return the completed forms to hq@sha.org by December 1, 2023.  You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator regarding your volunteer assignment prior to the 2024 Conference,

Volunteer Form – 2024 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology

SHA 2024 Conference Registration Form

If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the SHA 2024 Conference program, please download the advertising contract below and submit to karen@sha.org by November 10, 2023.

SHA 2024 Conference Program Advertising Contract

For more than five decades the SHA has been at the forefront in the dissemination of scholarly research on historical archaeology in North America and beyond.  Our annual conference is our major opportunity to share with others our most recent research findings, advances in theories and methods, strategies for improving public archaeology, etc.  We invite you to be a sponsor of the conference!

The 2024 Conference Committee welcomes innovative ideas for sponsorship. If you have such an idea, please contact SHA headquarters (hq@sha.org) to start the discussions.

SHA 2024 Sponsorship Form

Information on applying for all of the awards and prizes for the SHA 2024 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology will be found at: https://sha.org/about-us/awards-and-prizes/.

Grab your friends, form a team, and register to compete against other student members as you debate real-world ethical issues in archaeology at the 2024 Ethics Bowl!  For more information and to register, email shastudentethicsbowl@gmail.com.  Registration closes November 5, 2023.  Register today!

The Register of Professional Archaeologists is sponsoring a $500 award for the winning team!