FSCONS 2009

What is culture, how is it transmitted (and the issue of copyright) from a stone-age archeologists point of view! That was the focus of Mikael Nordins talk Cultural Transmission from an Archaeological Perspective. So why should we care about cultural transmission? According to Nordin its what makes us human. This becomes fascinating particularly since his perspective is the stone age. Bifacial mapping technique to make stone ages involves the same parts of the brain as with speaking. This supports the idea speech and cultural (stone tools) have an entangled evolution. This is fascinating stuff. The control of know-how and knowledge of the power elite has always been protected against piracy. But Nordin argues in the end the majority will win.

Breaking and Making Bodies and Pots

Åsa M. Larsson archeologist and blogger (Ting & Tankar) has finished her PhD thesis! She will be defending at 1 pm at Friday 18 September (Geijer auditorium, building 6, Humanities Centre, Engelska Parken, Uppsala).

Her work is on osteo-archaeology about the Middle Neolithic B in the Lake Mälaren area, c. 2800-2400 cal BC. Nope, I didn’t get that either! Maybe its because I am a lawyer? Anyway, she has the coolest title: Breaking and Making Bodies and Pots. Material and Ritual Practices in South Sweden in the Third Millennium BC. Aun 40. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History. Uppsala University.

For some reason Swedish archeologists are active bloggers. Wonder why?

Great work Åsa!