Auction to raise money for UK heritage

TopLots is an extraordinary opportunity for anyone - individuals, families, companies and groups - from anywhere to bid on eBay for special ‘behind the scenes’ access to and unique experiences offered by the UK’s vast range of arts and heritage organisations.

Organised to generate vital new funds for the participating arts and heritage organisations, TopLots is run in partnership between eBay, the Association for Independent Museums and UK heritage fundraising specialists, Development Partners, working closely with VisitBritain and EnjoyEngland.

All proceeds from this auction will be used to support not-for-profit UK arts and heritage organisations, split between the organisation providing the lot (80%) and the Association of Independent Museums (20%).

2008 Auctions
Privileged access, bespoke experiences and unique memories to treasure from museums, galleries, sculpture parks, historic houses and gardens, castles and many other cultural organisations will be offered in 2 auctions in:

 Summer Auction - May 15th to June 15th.
Autumn Auction - October. Dates to be confirmed.

Website for more details:  http://www.toplots.co.uk/index.php

 

 

 

Win 6 x WHS Archeaology Trowels for your Community Project

Past Horizons has 6 WHS 4″ Archaeology Trowels (slight scratching on the handles but brand new) to give away (we will pay for postage) to a Community Archaeology Project anywhere in the world.

In return we would ask the winner for an article for Past Horizons online magazine www.pasthorizons.com/magazine about your project along with good photographs.

To win the trowels just email us and say why your group should get the trowels in not more than 20 words, by the end of May.  We will put the best ones in a hat and pick a winner.

The winner will be notified on the 1st June.

Email us at:  info@pasthorizons.com

Maggie

Grave of Bronze Age Chief had been robbed

Archaeologists excavating an enigmatic burial mound in Sussex believe that grave robbers beat them to the prize of finding the remains of a Bronze Age chief.

Racing against time to date a burial mound on the cliffs at Peacehaven Heights in East Sussex before it collapses into the sea, they have found evidence of human occupation of the site spanning back to 8,000 years BC.

Read more….

Women in British Archaeology - Survey

A new organization representing women in British archaeology.

From their website:
“British Women Archaeologists was founded at the beginning of 2008 as a facebook group. Created and promoted by current postgraduate students and employed archaeologists, it seeks to offer a place where women studying or working within the discipline can communicate, share experiences and find support. Since its creation in January interest in the group has exceeded expectations. The first meeting of BWA is planned for 30th May 2008 and will discuss the need for a womens group within archaeology, how the group should function and what its main role/aim will be. Please use the link for more details.

In an attempt to assess the status of women in archaeology, to gain information regarding attitdues to sex equality within the discipline and to determine what demand there is for a womens group in Archaeology we have developed a short questionnaire. Views from men are both welcomed and encouraged. A survey of this kind has only been undertaken once before, by the IFA in 1990. To understand the specific issues that affect women in modern Archaeology and to create a group that reflects the needs of the discipline we would like as many archaeologists as possible to contribute.

To get the survey go: http://britishwomenarchaeologists.org.uk and look in the right hand bar

Please ensure your survey is received by 25th May so results can be discussed at the meeting.”

 

Digital Heritage: Our Hi-tech-Story for the future - Cyprus

International Conference VSMM 2008 - Call for Papers/Participation

Digital Heritage: Our Hi-tech-STORY for the Future

Technologies to Document, Preserve, Communicate,and Prevent the Destruction of our Fragile Cultural Heritage
October 20 - 26th  2008
Limassol, Cyprus

http://www.vsmm2008.org

Invitation:
You are kindly invited to submit a paper to the VSMM 2008 joint conference which will provide an opportunity to exchange research results, opinions, experiences and proposals on the best practice and hi-tech tools from Information and Communications Technology to document, preserve, manage and communicate Cultural Heritage (CH). The
main goal of the event is not only to illustrate the programs underway but also excellent work wherever it is located and however it is supported, in order to promote a common approach to the tasks of e-documentation of World Cultural Heritage. Furthermore, regional capacities in the area of Cultural Heritage and IT will be facilitated in advancing their know-how through the exchange of information and generation of new ideas and cooperation’s, where the world meets the finger prints of several ancient civilizations on earth.

To reach this ambitious goal the topics covered will include experiences in the use of innovative recording technologies & methods and how to take best advantage to integrate the results obtained to build up new tools and/or experiences as well as improved methodologies for documenting, managing and communicating CH.

The VSMM 2008 joint event will focus on interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research concerning both cutting edge Cultural Heritage Informatics and use of technology for the representation,documentation, preservation, archiving and communication of CH knowledge. The scope includes every phase of CH information technology: initial data capture/digitization, information/data processing, reconstruction, visualization and documentation as well as
dissemination of results to the scientific and cultural heritage communities and to the general public (Multilingua, Multimedia Digital Library). We are also interested in aspects of the wider legal and ethical responsibilities of Cultural Heritage Informatics. Research subjects parallel the interests of VSMM, CIPA, ISPRS and EuroMed including culturally significant monuments, artefacts and sites as well as the activities of museums, libraries, archives, and
organizations involved with their care.

Topics:
Those researchers who wish to participate in this event are invited to submit papers on original and unpublished work addressing the following subjects:

. Data Acquisition Technologies focusing on Photogrammetry and Laser scanning,
. 3D Data Capture and Processing in CH
. On-site and remotely sensed data collection
. 2D and 3D GIS in Cultural Heritage
. CAD and FEM based Digital Reconstructions and 3D Modelling
. Reproduction Techniques and Rapid Prototyping in CH
. Visualisation Techniques (desktop, Virtual and Augmented Reality)
. Virtual Reality in Archaeology and Historical Research
. Multimedia, Multilingua, Data Management and Archiving
. Construction and indexing of large scale Multimedia/Multilingua Encyclopaedias in Cultural Heritage
. Computer Animation for CH Applications and Virtual Heritage
. Game Technologies in Cultural Heritage
. Non-Photorealistic Rendering of CH Data
. Virtual Museum Applications (e-Museums and e-Exhibitions)
. Digital/Virtual Documentation of Archaeological Excavations
. Novel Internet-based Cultural Heritage Applications
. Portals of Culture
. Usability, Effectiveness and Interface Design for CH Applications
. Innovative Graphics Applications and Techniques
. Interactive Environments and Applications
. e-Libraries and e-Archives in Cultural Heritage
. National Digital Libraries as cross-domain systems
. Long term availability of content and its long term accessibility
. Effective IC-Technologies for the creation, management and reuse of content and knowledge
. Storytelling and authoring tools
. e-Learning in Cultural Heritage
. Tools for Education, Documentation and Training in CH
. Archaeological Analysis and Interpretive Design
. Standards, Metadata, Ontologies and Semantic Processing in Cultural Heritage
. Authentication, Accreditation and Digital Rights Management
. Legal issues: Water-Marking, Orphan Works, Copyrights and IPR
. Professional and Ethical Guidelines
. The Economics of Cultural Informatics and Tourism
. Natural and Man initiated deconstruction of Cultural Heritage and prevention techniques.
. ICT assistance in monitoring and restoration.

Submission of Papers:
Submissions for the joint event are completely electronic, and both the paper and all supplementary material must be submitted through the on-line submission website. The conference accepts only original,unpublished work written in English. We are soliciting three types of contributions:

. Full research papers presenting new innovative results. These papers will have a full-length oral presentation and will be published in a high-quality proceedings volume. Each submitted paper must not exceed 8 pages in total.
. Project papers focusing on the description of project organization,use of technology, and lesson learned. These papers will have a short oral presentation and will be included in a “Projects & Short Papers” proceedings volume. Each submitted paper must not exceed 8 pages in total.
. Short papers presenting preliminary ideas and works-in-progress.
These papers will have a short oral presentation and will be available as posters in conference breaks. They will be published in the “Projects & Short Papers” proceedings volume. Each submitted paper must not exceed 6 pages in total.

For information concerning style and format of all submissions, please refer to:

http://www.vsmm2008.org and then choose Paper Submissions.

Important Dates:
. Abstract (full-/project-/short papers): June 2nd, 2008
. Paper submission full papers June 16th, 2008
. Paper submission project/short papers June 30th, 2008
. Notification of Refereeing results   July 31st, 2008
. Camera ready FULL papers to printer August 24th, 2008
. Camera ready PROJECT/SHORT papers to printer August 29th, 2008
Proposals for showcases/ demo’s  June 30th, 2008

For more information about the joint conference please visit the webpage:
http://www.vsmm2008.org
or directly contact the chair of the event at:
chairman@vsmm2008.org.

Past Horizons Magazine 2nd edition now online

To read the free online magazine go to: www.pasthorizons.com/magazine

 

We are also proud to announce the creation of a dedicated Heritage Media website. 

 

Past Horizons Heritage Media

www.pasthorizons.tv

  

Its the first of its kind dealing exclusively with archaeology and heritage. This video sharing site is similar in many ways to You Tube, and like that site, you can view videos or sign up and upload your own, comment and rate other peoples videos too. 

 

There are several categories ranging from Excavations and Training to Humour and Places to Visit.  We have already over a hundred videos online, and look forward to seeing this grow over the coming months and years, as this becomes the place to visit for sharing our passion for archaeology. 

 

In addition, the site also contains links to the online pageflip  archaeology magazine Past Horizons, a weekly Podcast news report from Stonepages & BAJR, a music radio station to match your mood and also the valuable Past Horizons Project search, giving access to hundreds of archaeology projects across the world.

 

Best of all…  it’s Free to access and is your resource to use.

 

Hands on archaeology & conservation holiday - Albania

We’ve been working since 2002 in the now world famous Butrint National Park, and have seen the development of the new Albanian National Trust (ANT). With ANT, we are now moving inland to one of Europe’s least visited areas to start in on a range of new restoration and archaeological research works at the stunning Gjirokastra castle and nearby Bektashi Monastery.

Who we’re working with: The Albanian National Trust (ANT) is promoting the preservation of Cultural Heritage in Albania. ANT has begun by identifying and initiating restoration projects around the Butrint National Park and Drinos Valley combining this with sustainable economical development in the communities around these areas. Newly formed, the trust is keen to promote volunteering in Albania as a means of preserving the country’s rich archaeological and natural heritage. This project is designed as an example of how this can work. Conditions permitting, we’ll also be working alongside researchers from the University of Chicago on actual archaeological excavations at the monastery.

Where we’re working: Gjirokastra is one of Albania’s most beautiful and original towns. Otherwise known as the ‘town of the thousand steps’ or the ’stone town’, Gjirokastra is of great interest for its native Albanian architecture, with houses huddled one above the other around the dramatic fortress. The castle of Gjirokastra is the second biggest in the Balkans. In the centre of the town, is the Bazaar Mosque. In the Old Bazaar quarter there are many shops situated in the narrow streets, and in the Mecite quarter there are old Turkish Baths dating to 17th century. Nearby is also the Tekke of Melan, a Bektashi Monastery at a former fortified site dating back to the 4th century, but now nearly lost beyond the remote villages of the region.

Website:  www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100199.htm

 

6 Studentships at archaeology dept. - Glasgow

The Archaeology Department at Glasgow University has been awarded 6 studentships by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to be divided between the MLitt Aerial Photography with Geophysics, the MLitt Material Culture and Artefact Studies, and the MLitt Professional Archaeology.

For information about these courses, please see
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/archaeology/prospectivestudents/postgraduate/taughtmasters/

Please see the SAAS website
(http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/special_circumstances/postgrad.htm)
for information about the awards themselves - in particular, please note the residency and other eligibility criteria for these awards.

You need to be nominated by the Department for the receipt of one of these awards and nominations have to be with the University by the end of May. If you are successful in being nominated, you will then need to
apply to the SAAS. However, you will only be eligible in the first instance if you have applied or are in the process of applying for one or other of these courses, meaning time is quite tight, so do get in touch if you have any questions! Information about the general application process can be found at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/prospectus/graduateschools/arts/taught/

Centre for Sustainable Heritage short courses

You’ve monitored the environment, now what?

University College London
29 October 2008

This seminar offers practical solutions to the problems of managing, presenting and interpreting relative humidity and temperature data monitored for the care of collections in museum, gallery, library, archive and historic house environments.

Preventive Conservation Workshop: tools and techniques for best practice

In collaboration with  Horniman Museum, London
4 July 2008

This workshop offers practical ways to understand preventive conservation. Building on your knowledge of preventive conservation, this workshop offers tools and techniques to get the most out of your resources and to realise the potential for knowledge transfer from preventive conservation to management.

Managing Collections in a Changing Climate
Kenwood House, London
23-25 July 2008

This new course will make you aware of climate change impact and preparedness within properties housing collections.

webpage for booking and more details: /www.ucl.ac.uk/sustainableheritage/short_courses.htm

 

1,000 Ancient Tombs, Unique Remains Found in Colombia

The possible victim is a young woman who seems to have been buried alive, said Ana Maria Groot, one of the lead anthropologists from the National University of Colombia working at the site.

“Her mouth is open as if in terror, and her hands seem contracted as if she had tried grabbing hold of something,” Groot said.

Read more…..