Landscapes studies in SW Asia: interpreting the past and thinking to the future
HOPPER, Kristen
Using examples from previous fieldwork in NE Iran and the South Caucasus, and current fieldwork in southern Iraq, I will discuss the value of diachronic, multi-scalar and multidisciplinary approaches to unpacking and interpreting the complex archaeological landscapes of southwest Asia. In addition to traditional surveys, remote sensing, and textual analysis, landscape studies are increasingly incorporating other methods such as geoarchaeological, palaeobotanical, and isotopic analyses, which are leading to exciting new interpretations of how past communities interacted with and shaped their environments. I will also discuss how this knowledge, the methodologies we employ, and the large-scale datasets we produce have put us in an excellent position to contribute to tackling modern challenges in the region.
Session 3. Urban and Landscape Studies: Finding Interpretative Approaches [info]