International Conference: The Archaeology and Anthropology of Body Modification
Francesco d’Errico (CNRS, Univ. of Bordeaux, France; SapienCE, Univ. of Bergen, Norway) and Franz Manni (National Museum Natural History, Paris) welcome to this 3-day conference in Paris, France in November.
Main content
Rationale
Body modification has been a significant cultural practice in both past and present societies, serving as a powerful form of self-expression, identity, and social communication. Historically, various forms of body modification such as tattooing, body piercing, and scarification were used to signify social status, tribal affiliation, rites of passage, and spiritual beliefs. These modifications were deeply embedded in the cultural fabric and carried significant social and spiritual meanings, reinforcing communal bonds and individual identity within a human group.
In contemporary societies, body modification continues to play a crucial role in personal and cultural expression, albeit in a more individualistic context. Tattoos, body piercings, and other practices have become mainstream, reflecting personal narratives, artistic expression, and even rebellion against societal norms. Body modification has found a place in the fashion and entertainment industries, influencing trends and challenging traditional beauty standards. In both historical and modern contexts, body modification serves as a testament to the enduring human desire to manipulate and adorn the body as a canvas for cultural expression, personal identity, and social communication.
We are delighted to announce an upcoming conference dedicated to the exploration of this topic. This unique event will serve as a premier platform for presenting cutting-edge research on a wide array of body modifications, including cranial modification, teeth filing, tattooing, scarification, body piercing, genital modification and more.
About the Conference
The conference will delve into the rich, yet insufficiently explored, archaeological, anthropological, ethnographic, and historical evidence, to offer a comprehensive understanding of both past and present body modification practices, including the contemporary West. This multidisciplinary approach aims to foster an engaging dialogue between academics and practitioners from diverse fields.
The conference is organized in conjunction with the publication of the ‘Oxford Handbook of the Anthropology and Archaeology of Body Modification’ (Oxford Univ. Press), edited by Franz Manni and Francesco d'Errico. Attendees wishing to present their research are encouraged to review the chapters from this handbook to gain deeper insights into the topics that will be addressed at the meeting. Access the handbook here: Oxford Handbook of The Anthropology and Archaeology of Body Modification.
English is the language of the conference.
There will be no Internet diffusion.
Call for Abstracts
We are currently accepting abstracts for presentations, with the submission deadline set for October 1, 2024. Researchers are invited to submit their abstracts as a Word file, including the title, authors, affiliations, a 200-word summary, and keywords. Send the abstracts to: franz.manni@mnhn.fr
In the accompanying message, please specify your preferred presentation format (talk or poster).
Conference Fee and Inclusions
The conference fee is 200 Euros, payable by wire transfer (participation free of charge for employees of the MNHN-France). Detailed payment instructions will be provided upon the closure of the call for abstracts. The fee includes access to a cocktail reception, coffee breaks, and one lunch, ensuring ample opportunities for networking and informal discussions.
